Grain-free dog food transitioning guide can provide several benefits for your pet, such as reduced food allergies and improved digestion. However, abruptly changing a pet’s food can cause stomach upset and other digestive issues, so it’s important to gradually introduce new foods into a dog’s diet. To help you make the transition from old to new, we’ve compiled this guide with tips on how to successfully switch your dog over to a grain-free diet.
What is a Grain-Free Diet?
A grain-free diet is a diet that excludes grains such as corn, wheat, rice, barley and rye. Instead, these diets contain proteins from animals or vegetables like chickpeas, peas and lentils.
While there is no evidence of a link between diet and DCM, many of the dogs diagnosed with DCM reported eating a grain-free diet. This could mean that some dogs develop an allergy to the alternative protein sources found in grain-free foods, which is why it’s important to monitor your pet for ear infections or excessive licking when they start a new diet.
When switching to a new food, it’s best to do so over a seven-day period. This allows your pet’s taste buds to adjust to the new flavor and minimizes digestive problems. Additionally, it’s always best to make dietary changes when your dog is healthy and stable, and to avoid times of stress such as a move or other lifestyle changes. If your dog experiences any issues with the food transition process, talk to your veterinarian or a Farmina Nutrition Consultant for advice.