Changing dog food without transition: a common mistake
Have you switched kibble without thinking, and now your dog has diarrhea? Changing your dog's kibble without a transition period exposes your companion to digestive problems: diarrhea, blood in stools, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Dogs have a sensitive digestive system, which is why a dietary transition for dogs is essential to maintain the balance of their gut microbiota!
Table of Contents
- ▪ Why is a dog's digestive system so sensitive?
- ▪ Risks of changing kibble without dietary transition in dogs
- ▪ Digestive emergency: what to do if you've changed kibble without transition?
- ▪ Why change your dog's kibble?
- ▪ How to successfully transition your dog's diet?
- ▪ Monitor your dog's stools to confirm the transition
- ▪ Testimonial: kibble change without dietary transition
Why is a dog's digestive system so sensitive?
A dog's digestive system is sensitive due to the composition of its gut microbiota.
Composed of billions of bacteria, a dog's gut microbiota plays an important role in digestion and nutrient absorption. However, it proves less efficient than that of humans when faced with dietary changes.
An abrupt change in kibble causes an imbalance in the intestinal flora with a decrease in bacteria, leading to digestive problems: diarrhea, flatulence, vomiting, or bloating.
Dogs are semi-carnivorous animals accustomed to a diet consisting of kibble with or without grains. Unlike humans, they do not need dietary diversification. On the contrary, dogs need regularity, which is why a gradual dietary transition is essential to preserve their digestive health.
Risks of changing kibble without dietary transition in dogs
Dietary transition is essential to avoid the side effects of changing dog food:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- excessive flatulence
- bloating
- presence of blood or mucus in stools
Therefore, a kibble change for dogs without dietary transition is a bad idea!
Dogs are prone to digestive upsets because their intestinal flora is less developed and diverse than that of humans. A dog's digestive system needs more time to adapt to a new kibble recipe.
A recipe that is more or less rich than the previous one can cause digestive problems in your dog. If they suffer from vomiting or diarrhea immediately after their meal, they risk dehydration and may associate their food with these symptoms. Consequently, they might refuse their new kibble recipe.
The dietary transition for dogs must be very gradual so that your companion can become familiar with the new smells, tastes, ingredients, and analytical composition of their new kibble.
A gradual change in dog kibble also allows you to assess your dog's tolerance to new ingredients. In case of allergies, the impacts will be reduced since the quantities are limited!
Digestive emergency: what to do if you've changed kibble without transition?
Assess the severity of the situation: soft stools or liquid diarrhea, your dog's behavior, appetite, etc.
Vomiting and diarrhea after changing kibble without transition
After a dog kibble change without dietary transition, if you notice your dog suffering from continuous diarrhea, vomiting, blood in their stools, or if they have been lethargic for several days, consult your veterinarian immediately.
My dog has soft stools: what to do?
If your dog has soft stools and is otherwise fine, meaning they eat all their food, have no fever, are playful, etc., then you can:
- hydrate your dog: diarrhea and vomiting cause significant fluid loss.
- divide meals: offer smaller meals 3 or 4 times a day (morning, noon, and evening, or morning, late afternoon, evening, etc.)
- temporarily add probiotics or rice to improve stool consistency.
During this recovery period, it's natural to want to comfort your companion. However, absolutely avoid giving them table scraps or typical industrial treats, which are often too rich and could trigger diarrhea again. If you want to reward them and lift their spirits, opt for a treat specifically made for them and hypoallergenic. Our treats are designed for this purpose.
If you observe improvements, continue the kibble change with a gradual dietary transition, and if soft stools persist, reintroduce the old kibble and extend the transition period.
Why change your dog's kibble?
The transition from puppy to adult kibble is the primary reason for a kibble change.
But other causes justify a change in dog kibble:
Medical:
- allergy to an animal protein
- grain intolerance
- pathologies
- chronic illness
If your dog's digestive system has been put to the test or if they are experiencing allergic reactions (itching, chronic digestive disorders), it may be a sign that they no longer tolerate traditional animal proteins (beef, chicken) or cereals. If you're going to start a dietary transition from scratch, you might as well offer them a recipe specially designed for sensitive digestions.
Physiological:
- transition to adulthood
- senior dog
- pregnant or lactating female
- active dog
- sterilized dog
Ecological:
You are looking for responsible dog kibble to reduce your environmental impact.
At Tomojo, we enable you to limit your dog's environmental impact while providing them with a healthy and balanced diet. Insect production, in addition to being local, consumes 700 times less water and emits 100 times less CO2 than beef production. Incredible, isn't it?
Moreover, insect proteins are rich in essential nutrients and constitute an excellent alternative to animal proteins. Our kibble meets your furry friend's nutritional needs and respects your ecological convictions!
How to successfully transition your dog's diet?
Here are our tips for successfully changing your dog's kibble with a dietary transition.
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Conduct a dietary transition over at least 7 days
To successfully change your dog's kibble, you must carry out a gradual dietary transition.
This means that for 7 days, you must mix their old kibble with their new kibble, in increasingly larger proportions until you reach 100% new recipe.
Here is a dietary transition table for dogs over 7 days:
Schedule Old Kibble New Kibble Day 1 to 2 75 % 25 % Day 3 to 4 50 % 50 % Day 5 to 6 25 % 75 % Day 7 0 % 100 % The recommended minimum dietary transition period is 7 days, but some dogs may need a period of 2 to 3 weeks to adapt to their new recipe.
Here is a dietary transition table for dogs over 15 days
Schedule Old Kibble New Kibble Days 1 to 3 75 % 25 % Days 4 to 7 60 % 40 % Days 8 to 10 50 % 50 % Days 11 to 14 25 % 75 % Day 15 0 % 100 % Note that other phenomena can impact the dog's dietary transition:
- stress or anxiety
- a sudden change: moving, change in schedule, vacation, etc.
- the loss or arrival of a companion at home (dog or cat)
- medication, etc.
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Anticipate your dog's dietary transition
It is imperative to still have enough old kibble before making a change in your dog's kibble.
Examples:
- Small dog with a ration of 60 g/day: plan for at least 180 g
- Medium dog with a ration of 200 g/day: plan for at least 550 g
Ideally, you should anticipate the dietary transition to avoid having to buy an entire bag of your old kibble again.
⭐ Good news: with the Tomojo trial kit, you benefit from 24-hour delivery only, to start your transition quickly!
Monitor your dog's stools to confirm the transition
From the beginning of your dog's dietary transition, monitor their stools to quickly identify any intolerance, allergy, or a too-rapid transition pace.
During each walk with your dog, evaluate the following points:
- Consistency
- Frequency
- Colors
- Odors
Stool consistency
A well-formed stool, neither too hard nor too soft, indicates good digestion and good tolerance to the new kibble.
On the contrary, a liquid or pasty stool, difficult to pick up, is a sign of a too-rapid dietary transition or an intolerance to certain ingredients.
If the stools are dry, it indicates that your dog is dehydrated. Make sure to provide them with a bowl of fresh, clean water.
Frequency
The number of bowel movements per day may vary during the kibble transition period.
- Too frequent bowel movements may indicate that your dog is not assimilating nutrients correctly.
- Constipation is often a sign of a recipe too low in fiber.
Stool colors
The color of a dog's stools varies depending on the kibble composition:
- rich in protein: darker
- vegetables or grains: lighter
Stool odors
The smell of your dog's stools is a valuable indicator.
A very strong-smelling stool indicates a too-rapid transition or kibble too rich in legumes (fiber). Start by adjusting the quantities and extend the transition period. If the phenomenon persists, then the kibble is not suitable for your dog.
Testimonial: kibble change without dietary transition
If you are changing kibble because your dog has diarrhea due to their current diet, then you can make a kibble change for your dog without dietary transition.
This can work, according to the testimonial of this dog owner:
Changing kibble without transition helped relieve chronic diarrhea.
Every dog is different. You will probably have to change your dog's kibble several times before finding a suitable composition.
At Tomojo, we support your dog throughout their life with our range of dog kibble: puppy, adult dog, and senior dog!
Whether you're starting a new transition for an energetic puppy or looking to soothe an older dog's stomach, choosing food that is highly tolerated by their body is key to a healthy microbiome. Explore our complete range!