SWITCHING IT UP – Three Steps to Give Your Bulldog More Variety in Their Diet
by: Brittnee McElroy
Is your bulldog growing out of his puppy stage? Is your dog not as enthusiastic about his kibble like he was before? Is he having tummy trouble or weight problems? Maybe it is time to change your dog’s dry food. There are many benefits of offering your dog a varied diet. You can find a food that has more or less protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables.
Before you start changing your doggies food, you need to what a varied diet is and how to introduce it to your dog.
Step One: What is a varied diet?
A varied diet is a nutrient-dense diet that you change on a regular basis. Humans do this every single day. A varied diet for your dog is one full of lean meats, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans. It is better to give these foods to your dog unprocessed to keep as many nutrients as possible. You also need to have foods that are high in antioxidants to help prevent long-term health issues.
Long gone are the days of feeding your dog the same food every day. Many veterinarians, who specialize in holistic practices, say that you could be causing nutritional deficiencies. A dog’s body will benefit more from diverse sources of nourishment. Your dog’s taste buds will also appreciate the diverse foods.
One approach to a varied diet is taking commercially prepared foods and rotating them regularly. You can use canned or dry food as long as you maintain the same number of calories. This way will make sure that your dog is getting the right balance of nutrients.
Step Two: Time to go shopping.
There are a few things to remember when shopping for your dog’s food. The first thing you need to do is choose your main ingredients. If your dog’s main source of protein is chicken, you can switch it to bison or lean beef.
You can change brands of dog food as well. Big brands have designed their foods to be rotated at different stages of life. If you are in the middle of a life stage, you can switch to a different brand completely. You also need to change your dog’s menu. The next time you go pick up a bag of high-quality kibble, buy a different blend.
A quick and easy way to change up your dog’s diet is by putting small pieces of food in their bowl. If you are making salmon or a thick piece of steak, place a small chunk in your dog’s bowl and reduce the amount of kibble.
Step Three: Make the transition slow.
To avoid any tummy trouble for your dog, you will need to switch the food out slowly. Even if you think your dog has an iron stomach, they could end up with an upset stomach or loose stool. A good rule of thumb is to increase the new food by mixing it into the old food in small increments.
For example, you can start with 25 percent new food mixed with 75 percent of the old food. Every day you should increase the amount of new food. After about seven days, your dog should be eating 100 percent of the new food. Keep a close eye on your dog throughout this process. If your bulldog stops eating, starts vomiting or develops diarrhea, stop feeding him the new food, and call your vet.
This method will help your fussy eater be more willing to eat the new food rather than just taking it away too soon. If your dog is suffering from being overweight, it will not hurt to make the transition longer.
In rare occasions, the “cold turkey” method is the best choice. Your vet will let you know if this is the best way if your dog suffers from disease or food allergies. This method allows the benefits of the new diet to become effective immediately.
Whether you need to change up your dog’s diet or want to try a new formula, you can switch up his food with little effort. All it takes is some research on brands, a good understanding of what nutrients and calories are needed for your dog and the patience to switch your dog’s diet.
Treat yourself and your furbaby to something special, you earned it.
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