What is the right way to change my puppy’s diet?

Your puppy is growing everyday. This means that there are going to be changes in his/her health, activity levels, and weight. You could be  changing your puppy's diet several times, it could be because of growing age, on your vet’s recommendation or maybe just to try out a new brand. Whatever may be the reason, your dog’s diets should be changed slowly, and never  in a sudden switch, which can cause problems in the gut. 

Switching your dog’s food all at once can cause a series of gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhoea and a decreased appetite. If you are planning on changing their diet, the transition that you make to the new diet should be very gradual so that your dog’s system gets enough time to get used to the change without causing any distress. Ideally, these transitions should happen over a 7-8 days. During this transition period, you should gradually incorporate the new food by mixing it with your dog’s present diet. Here’s how you should do it: 

1. Day 1 and 2: Mix 20% of the new diet with 80% of the old diet.  
2. Day 3-5: Add 50% of the new diet with 50% of the old diet. 
3. Day 6 & 7: Add 75% of the new diet with 25% of the old diet. 
4. Day 8: 100% new diet. 

The above given switch works for most dogs. But some dogs tend to have a sensitive stomach, food allergies or other gastrointestinal issues. In such cases, this transition can take even longer. The key to an effective diet transition is to keep an eye on your dog’s response. If at any point during the transition your dog displays concerning signs like diarrhoea, vomiting or changes in his/her appetite, it may mean that you should proceed more slowly. And if you think that the transition has been gradual but your dog is still showing signs of discomfort, then it is best to consult your veterinarian about the same. 

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