Everything you need to know
about mixing up your dog’s diet
Everything you need to know
about mixing up your dog’s diet
Dogs benefit from a full, balanced diet.
Variety is the spice of life
You might like to think you’re the center of your dog’s universe. And you are. But you’ve got to share that precious real estate with something just as important – food!
It doesn’t matter if it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, your dog needs plenty of healthy, nutritious food to stay in proper shape. But that doesn’t mean we like eating the same thing over and over again.
Could you eat the same thing every day for a month? Didn’t think so.
Mixing different types of dog food
If you think you’ve got the best dog food for your pet, you might want to think again. The best dog food might just be a mixture of different brands and types!
This is rotation feeding, and it just means feeding your pup different things at different times. That could be different brands, a mixture of wet and dry dog food, or a combination of the two.
The key is variety, and the benefits of rotation feeding go far above and beyond simply giving your pet something new to look forward to when it’s time to eat.
The benefits of rotation feeding
Just like humans, dogs benefit from a full, balanced diet that gives them all the nutrients they need.
In the long term, this can reduce the risk of your pet developing any food sensitivities – where they become intolerant to certain ingredients. On a rotation feeding schedule, they’ll be exposed to all sorts of different things, which will give them a stronger and more stable digestive system.
And the benefits aren’t just for your pup! Rotation feeding is flexible and affordable, giving you the freedom to mix things up instead of sticking with the same expensive products every time you go to the supermarket.
You might even find that rotating brands and food types lets you buy higher-quality products. And that’s nothing but good news for your dog’s health.
What to watch out for with rotation feeding
The main drawback of rotation feeding is that it can be complex at first, and does take a time and effort to implement. Your pup will thank you for the effort though, and they’ll be healthier as well, which means less trips to the vet.
Because even if you’re with the best pet insurance program around and don’t have to worry as much about the costs, vet visits can be stressful for your dog. So it’s always best to limit them to regular check-ups.
Another common issue that you might hear about rotation feeding is that it can lead to digestive trouble and upset stomachs. This is true if you’re changing dog food too quickly. But if you plan carefully and take things slowly, there should be no reason to worry.
Starting a rotation feeding schedule
The golden rule of rotation feeding is that your dog will need a bit of time to adjust to changes in their diet. If you’re new to the process, it’s a good idea to start slowly, and change things up gradually every month or two.
No matter how quickly you switch between brands and products, it’s important to transition in the right way. When you feed your dog, slowly increase amount of the new food, and at the same time decrease the proportion of the old food.
If you want to give your dog even more variety, you might want to consider rotating a mixed diet. And as an added bonus, mixing dry and wet dog food can give your dog an even greater range of nutrients.
A mixed diet can also help fussy eaters enjoy the benefits of both types. For example, if your dog only eats wet food, they’re missing out on the dental benefits of some nice, chewy kibble!
Picking the right dog food
No matter whether or not you’re starting a rotation feeding schedule, it’s crucial that you know what type of dog food is best for your pet.
This can vary more than you might think. Just like humans, some dogs are allergic to certain things, and you’ll need to make sure you buy dog food that doesn’t include them.
Even if your dog doesn’t have any issues, make sure you’re feeding them food that contains all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay energetic and bound around the house. You’ll notice that certain products are labelled as ‘formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles’. AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and this label means the product has been tested and contains the minimum amount of nutrients required to be certified.
Check with your vet
Of course, if you’ve got any questions or concerns about the best type of dog food for your pet, your first port of call should always be your vet. They’ve seen it all before, and will be able to give you expert advice.
Just in case your dog has any special dietary needs, it’s always best to talk to your vet before you start a rotation feeding schedule. You can do this as part of a regular check-up, which is covered as part of our TrustedPals wellness plan.
This is a special add-on that can be combined with your pet insurance, giving you a budget for extra expenses to do with keeping your dog happy and healthy.
Here at TrustedPals, we’re not a dog health insurance program that only cares about claims and coverage.
We care about dog medical insurance for pets, by pets, and about taking care of the little details, every day.
Especially when those little details involve food!
Share this
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Variety is the spice of life
You might like to think you’re the center of your dog’s universe. And you are. But you’ve got to share that precious real estate with something just as important – food!
It doesn’t matter if it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, your dog needs plenty of healthy, nutritious food to stay in proper shape. But that doesn’t mean we like eating the same thing over and over again.
Could you eat the same thing every day for a month? Didn’t think so.
Dogs benefit from a full, balanced diet.
Mixing different types of dog food
If you think you’ve got the best dog food for your pet, you might want to think again. The best dog food might just be a mixture of different brands and types!
This is rotation feeding, and it just means feeding your pup different things at different times. That could be different brands, a mixture of wet and dry dog food, or a combination of the two.
The key is variety, and the benefits of rotation feeding go far above and beyond simply giving your pet something new to look forward to when it’s time to eat.
The benefits of rotation feeding
Just like humans, dogs benefit from a full, balanced diet that gives them all the nutrients they need.
In the long term, this can reduce the risk of your pet developing any food sensitivities – where they become intolerant to certain ingredients. On a rotation feeding schedule, they’ll be exposed to all sorts of different things, which will give them a stronger and more stable digestive system.
And the benefits aren’t just for your pup! Rotation feeding is flexible and affordable, giving you the freedom to mix things up instead of sticking with the same expensive products every time you go to the supermarket.
You might even find that rotating brands and food types lets you buy higher-quality products. And that’s nothing but good news for your dog’s health.
What to watch out for with rotation feeding
The main drawback of rotation feeding is that it can be complex at first, and does take a time and effort to implement. Your pup will thank you for the effort though, and they’ll be healthier as well, which means less trips to the vet.
Because even if you’re with the best pet insurance program around and don’t have to worry as much about the costs, vet visits can be stressful for your dog. So it’s always best to limit them to regular check-ups.
Another common issue that you might hear about rotation feeding is that it can lead to digestive trouble and upset stomachs. This is true if you’re changing dog food too quickly. But if you plan carefully and take things slowly, there should be no reason to worry.
Starting a rotation feeding schedule
The golden rule of rotation feeding is that your dog will need a bit of time to adjust to changes in their diet. If you’re new to the process, it’s a good idea to start slowly, and change things up gradually every month or two.
No matter how quickly you switch between brands and products, it’s important to transition in the right way. When you feed your dog, slowly increase amount of the new food, and at the same time decrease the proportion of the old food.
If you want to give your dog even more variety, you might want to consider rotating a mixed diet. And as an added bonus, mixing dry and wet dog food can give your dog an even greater range of nutrients.
A mixed diet can also help fussy eaters enjoy the benefits of both types. For example, if your dog only eats wet food, they’re missing out on the dental benefits of some nice, chewy kibble!
Picking the right dog food
No matter whether or not you’re starting a rotation feeding schedule, it’s crucial that you know what type of dog food is best for your pet.
This can vary more than you might think. Just like humans, some dogs are allergic to certain things, and you’ll need to make sure you buy dog food that doesn’t include them.
Even if your dog doesn’t have any issues, make sure you’re feeding them food that contains all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay energetic and bound around the house. You’ll notice that certain products are labelled as ‘formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles’. AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and this label means the product has been tested and contains the minimum amount of nutrients required to be certified.
Check with your vet
Of course, if you’ve got any questions or concerns about the best type of dog food for your pet, your first port of call should always be your vet. They’ve seen it all before, and will be able to give you expert advice.
Just in case your dog has any special dietary needs, it’s always best to talk to your vet before you start a rotation feeding schedule. You can do this as part of a regular check-up, which is covered as part of our TrustedPals wellness plan.
This is a special add-on that can be combined with your pet insurance, giving you a budget for extra expenses to do with keeping your dog happy and healthy.
Here at TrustedPals, we’re not a dog health insurance program that only cares about claims and coverage.
We care about dog medical insurance for pets, by pets, and about taking care of the little details, every day.
Especially when those little details involve food!
Share this
