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Amy B
Lv 5
Amy B asked in PetsDogs · 1 decade ago

Does this count as switching dog food?

We adopted our first dog a month or so ago and had been buying it 1 flavor of dog food - but recently decided to try a different flavor of the same brand due to availability.

Does this mean we have to do the mixing of the two types and gradual introduction of the new food? We went from beef to lamb.

16 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    it shouldn't be that big of a difference. just look at the ingredients on the bag, if the first 4 ingredients are the same except for the beef and lamb, then i wouldn't worry about it upsetting his stomache.

  • 1 decade ago

    NO the issue with a FLAVOR or DINNER type food.. is the food only has to have enough of the "flavor" beef, lamb , chicken.. to impart a distinct flavor diffrence.. the base of the food is the same.. so a seafood flavor can be a chiken based diet.. but with a little seafood flavor added.. same with beef, chiken or lamb..

    It is a marketing thing.. and not considered by the FDA an actuall diffrence in the DIET.. or formulation..

    If you have a dog with a allergy or sensitivity..to one of the flavors.. then you could have a issue.. even if it is only a little bit of a food.. but for the average dog.. this kind of change makes little diffrence..

    you are basically feeding the SAME food.. so might want to compare the QUALITY of the diet.. not just if the diet comes in Flavors.. unfortunaly a good percentage of the diets offered that do this "flavor" or dinner thing.. offer the little cute bits that look like a food item.. or have lots of colors.. or look like cuts of meat.. are generally not the best diets.. they are made to look appealing to the person feeding the dog.. not if the food is ideal.. willl a dog do "ok" on such a diet.. yes they are designed for minimal nutrition and a dog will live on such a diet.. but think of it as eating fast food.. Vs home prepared balanced diet.. but you know the perons eating the fast food will perhaps not have a long a life,, and quality of life....

    Now if the food is a diffrent FORMULA made by the same company or a diffrent brand of food.. this is diffrent than flavor.. and the change base ingredients can cause problems in some dogs.. so gradual change is recommended..

    Some dogs have no issues with food changes reguardless of type/bran/flavor or ingredients..but some dogs can.. so unless you are comfortable with taking a chance.. a gradual change in diet is the best course of action when making big changes in diet..

    good luck..

    Amanda

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I've heard people say that they think their dogs need variety in dog foods because they get tired of them so they often switch their daily brands. While we are under the misconception that dogs have an iron stomach and can eat anything, anytime, that is not true. It is best to find a food your dog likes and stick with it. They aren't like humans where they prefer different foods everyday.

    Switching foods suddenly can cause a loss of appetite, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea or indigestion. It is best not to switch your dogs food unless for medical reasons it becomes necessary. Buying what is on sale that week is not good for your dog.

    If you do switch foods, do it gradually. The first few days of feeding should be ¾ of the food they have been eating, and ¼ of the new food. After three days, make the proportions even, ½ of each. After day 6, you can feed ¾ of the new food and ¼ of the old food, and then by day 10, you should be able to safely feed 100% of the new food, with little or no side effects.

    If you continuously switch your dogs food, you will make them more prone to chronic diarrhea or chronic indigestion. They may even start to refuse eating altogether. hope this help's

    http://www.k-9corner.blogspot.com/

  • 1 decade ago

    If your pup is not eating it, I would mix it. He/she might not take to the lamb taste right away. The only reason they saw to mix is so the dog will eat it. I do not think it will experience stomach problems with the change since it is the same brand unless their is major deviations in the content of the food.

    I hope this is why you asked that and it helped.

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  • 1 decade ago

    no it should be fine. dog food companies generally use the same recipe (different flavors) - this can be seen easily by age, there is generally different food for puppies and adult dogs, and you don't have to mix those so the two different flavors shouldn't be a big deal, it might be good to switch up the flavors every now and then :)

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    No Should Be Fine

    Just A Different Flavor That's All

  • 1 decade ago

    I think in this case mixing the foods would be optional. It's possible that you may experience some mild diarrhea with the change, but I wouldn't expect it to last long or to be extreme, if you experience it at all. Over all, I think the chances are slim that you'll notice any issues with the change.

  • 1 decade ago

    same brand shouldn't be a problem, if different its a good idea to mix it for a week or so. otherwise its probable they will get diarrhea. i know walmart is having production problems with their dog food and i have had to change twice within the month. now i am going to feed store to get mine.

  • 1 decade ago

    nah its not a big change of diet so your dog will be fine, I give my dog loads of different flavours of dog food for variety and she's never had any problem with it and is now the ripe old age of 14 and still going strong :)

  • 1 decade ago

    I doubt that would cause a problem. That's not to say he will like it. What you want to do is introduce wet food and dry food so he gets both fiber and protein.

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