HOW TO GET YOUR DOG TO EAT A NEW FOOD
Whether from a medical recommendation or your personal preference, there are a lot of reasons why you might want or need to change your dog’s diet. Choosing a new food for your dog can feel daunting, but it can also be exciting! When it comes time to make the switch, be sure to keep things like timing, discipline, and patience in mind. The following are recommendations for how to transition your dog to a new food.
TAKE THINGS SLOW
Getting your dog to eat a new food should be a transitional process that requires time and energy. If you try to speed things up, your pup may reject the new food and, inevitably, the switch would be unsuccessful. It all depends on your specific dog, but be sure to gradually introduce the new food to the old food in small increments until their meal has fully been transitioned. Taking this process slow will be especially helpful to identify if your dog has any allergies or sensitivities to the new food. It could take as soon as a week or as long as a month, but, regardless, go slow and call your vet if any questions or concerns arise. If you’re transitioning your dog to a Stella & Chewy’s product, we recommend that you take a look at our How to Transition Your Dog to Stella & Chewy’s blog for even greater detail.
KEEP A CONSISTENT SCHEDULE
Updating their diet is going to be enough of a change, so be sure to stick to your dog’s regular feeding schedule as you transition their food. Doing so will not only keep your pup free from additional changes, but it’ll also give them reassurance that the new food you’re feeding them is something they’ll love! If your dog initially refuses to accept the new food, you might want to try removing any uneaten food after 20-30 minutes to show them that this new meal is their only choice.
PATIENCE IS KEY
Similar to our feline friends, sudden changes in a dog’s diet, including overfeeding, can sometimes result in digestive issues that could cause diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. In order to avoid these conditions, remain patient and make this transition as slow as your dog requires. In addition to being patient, you should keep a close eye on your dog’s weight and stool and contact your vet if anything changes drastically too quickly.
MEAL TOPPERS CAN HELP
If you need to spice things up with your dog’s new food in order to get them to eat it, try adding a meal topper! From Marie’s Magical Dinner Dust that contains organic fruits and vegetables and all-natural, freeze-dried raw Meal Mixers to slowly-simmered Bountiful Bone Broth and nutrient-rich Broth Toppers, we have a variety of meal toppers for dogs that can make the transitional process a little bit easier.