Is it bad to change foods a lot/mix foods?

[Fran101]

Even if all the changes are between various high quality foods, is it ok to change every couple of weeks or so? or do dogs do better on a more stable diet, like the SAME kind of food all the time?

And what about mixing foods?

 

[bubbatd]

I don't switch unless there's a change and then do it slowly . Luckily Ollie has an iron stomach and does well when I add " flavor " .

 

[wcladymacbeth]

It probably depends on the dog. Maggie and Caesar both seem to have sensitive GI tracts so I have to be careful about it. If your dog tolerates it, I'm sure there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[bubbatd]

^^^ agree ! If Hunter has ANY people food here , he goes home with major issues !

 

[Zoom]

I switch every couple of bags, just for variety.

 

[Pops2]

unless absolutely vital to the dogs health, change often. it keeps their GI healthy. if you don't you may create a problem down the road where the dog actually does suffer if there is an unavoidable change in diet.

 

[elegy]

i prefer to switch foods regularly unless the dog gives you reason not to (sensitive stomach or whatever). sometimes i think part of the reason so many dogs have such touchy stomachs is because they eat the same thing day after day, year after year.

 

[stardogs]

I switch brands (all high quality) every bag, which works out to be every month or 6 weeks for my guys. All of them are now at the point that we can switch cold turkey no problem and that does certainly help if you run out of dog food lol.

That being said, I've heard of several people trying to switch every meal and that seems to be too much for the dogs. As for mixing, I'd probably just stick with one food at a time so that if there ever was something making your pup sick you could narrow down the food quickly.

 

[oc_spirit]

i prefer to switch foods regularly unless the dog gives you reason not to (sensitive stomach or whatever). sometimes i think part of the reason so many dogs have such touchy stomachs is because they eat the same thing day after day, year after year.

AGREED!!!!!!!! I switch brands every time I buy a bag of dog food. Ronan used to have a slightly sensitive stomach (couldnt handle certain foods) but ever since introducing cold turkey switches (slowly of course, start with gradual changes, work up to taking fewer meals before the kibble is switched) he can now handle anything. The bonus to this is if your dog ever gets into something theres a lower chance that your carpet is going to have to suffer from it Also no one brand of dog food has every single nutrient that can benefit your dog. Doing the changes helps your dog get a very wide variety of nutrients.

I also agree with not mixing the kibbles unless your dog isnt able to do the cold turkey switches.

 

[dobesgalore]

I've mixed occasionaly TOTW with Diamond Naturals, and ours do fine with it. It seems to make them more interested in their food and they don't get so board with it.

 

[puppydog]

Seeing as I am very limited in respect to high quality foods, I just mix in as much different foods with thier kibble as I can. The "good" brands we get in South Africa are Science Diet and Euk. blergh!

Mine are fed on Royal Canin because is the the lesser of the three evils. So, they get tons of variety with bones, meat and veggies with their food.

 

[xpaeanx]

I think it's better to switch dog foods.

I mean... how would you feel if you had to eat chicken, corn, and potatoes everyday for life?

I've also heard dogs can develope allergies after being fed the same exact food for years.

All I do, is buy a different "flavor" of the brand(s) I like.

I also feed raw meat or canned every few days.

 

[dogsarebetter]

shows what I know. People ask me, and I always say they shouldnt be switched. I guess thats because when I switch foods, not matter how gradually, ruckus gets full blow colitis and has to have a vet visit!

 

[neonle]

change is required for all even we cant have a stable food we need some change right.then why not dogs .please change their food often that is what it is interested .

 

[dogsarebetter]

Do you even suggest someone like Ruckus be switched up even though he gets colitis everytime and has to be on meds?