How to rotate foods ?????

[blackrose]

I read a lot on here about rotating foods. I always thought that I would have to slowly incorporate a new food to my dog over 7-10 days.

What is meant by rotating one brand and then maybe a higher quality food the next time?

Do you do it every other bag?

If not how often?

I just switched to Canidae (from junk Purina thanks to BW) for it is affordable and better quality, so if I decide to also feed maybe a better quality food how do I do this.

I will give them some time on this first but would like the information for in a month or so.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

I change about every 4 bags and one bag lasts me 3 weeks, so every 3-4 months. Typically 3 times a year or so is plenty IMO. And yes you will need to make the switch over a 7-10 day period each time in order to avoid stomach upset. Easiest thing is to pick either 2 or 3 foods and then switch every 3-4 months between them, although some switch more, some less, there's no hard and fast rule to this, some don't switch at all. LIke me I cannot switch brands due to my boy's allergies but I can switch between 2 "flavors" but they do better on the fish than the chicken so I Usually do like 3-4 bags of fish to 2 bags of chicken and go that route.

Good luck.

 

[gmacleod]

You might find this short article on the hows and whys of rotating foods useful: How often should I change dog foods?

As far as how long it takes to effect a change in food - that really depends on the individual dog. There are plenty whose owners just change cold turkey, and whose tummies aren't in the least upset by that. But at the other end of the scale, there are individuals whose tummies are upset by the mere mention of a food change, and whose owners have to switch gradually over a 2-3 week period. Safest bet is to start out with the gradual change described in that article, and experiment a little over time - so you find out just how your individual dog reacts (who knows, yours might have a cast-iron tummy and not need long periods adjusting).

 

[RockyCody]

Good question

I didn't even realize you were supposed to rotate foods - silly me, newbie dog owner - my first boy is a boxer - thank God for this website.

Rocky has been on IAMS puppy since we got him (about 3 months ago)- After reading this site I have a bag of wellness puppy in my closet waiting for the transition. We probably have another week-week and a half with the IAMS supply so i'll start mixing soon.

My question is - can I switch back and forth between IAMS and wellness? Iams lasts longer and their huge 40# bag is the same price as the wellness 15# bag - wellness will empty my wallet in no time if that is his main food.

Would it still be beneficial for him to switch between those two or do I need another higher quality food to switch with?

 

[gmacleod]

LOL - that is a bit like asking if it would be beneficial for you to rotate between eating reasonably healthily for a month, with solely McDonalds for the next month, back and forth continuously. I think you can realise quite quickly that you'd be better off without the month on junk food

Rotating foods is a good idea (and ideally between more than just 2), but it rather loses its value when you propose to rotate with such a low grade food. There are MANY better foods out there that don't cost the earth.

You should also bear in mind that, although the bag might cost more, you usually feed a great deal LESS of the high quality food. In some cases, the higher quality foods actually end up cheaper (even more so, if you factor reduced health problems and vet visits over the long term into your equation).

 

[RockyCody]

LOL - that is a bit like asking if it would be beneficial for you to rotate between eating reasonably healthily for a month, with solely McDonalds for the next month, back and forth continuously. I think you can realise quite quickly that you'd be better off without the month on junk food

That's what I figured, so sorry for the dumb question but I just wanted to ask.

I'll see how he likes the WELLNESS stuff and see what he eats. He's eats 1 cup of IAMS each meal - so 3 cups/day.

I'm not sure where to start him on the wellness - any suggestions once I transition all the way over?

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

That's what I figured, so sorry for the dumb question but I just wanted to ask.

I'll see how he likes the WELLNESS stuff and see what he eats. He's eats 1 cup of IAMS each meal - so 3 cups/day.

I'm not sure where to start him on the wellness - any suggestions once I transition all the way over?

Start with the suggested amount on the bag. If he's gaining weight then reduce by 1/4 of a cup for a month or so and re-evaluate if he's losing then increase by 1/4 of a cup and same deal.

3 cups seems like a lot depending on his age. My boy is 67 pounds and eats 3 cups a day of a good food, so I think you'll see that you'll be feeding less in the long run.

Good luck!

 

[RockyCody]

Start with the suggested amount on the bag. If he's gaining weight then reduce by 1/4 of a cup for a month or so and re-evaluate if he's losing then increase by 1/4 of a cup and same deal.

3 cups seems like a lot depending on his age. My boy is 67 pounds and eats 3 cups a day of a good food, so I think you'll see that you'll be feeding less in the long run.

Good luck!

Rocky is 22 weeks - so just over 5 months now. He continues to grow, but doesnt' look fat at all. He was 41 lbs at the vet last weekend. Everyone thinks we starve him because he is so skinny. he doens't alwyas eat all three cups/day, sometimes he'll eat all three meals 2 days in a row then skip an entire day.

So he's just a weird eater from what I've seen. But we'll see how he likes it once I complete the transition.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Rocky is 22 weeks - so just over 5 months now. He continues to grow, but doesnt' look fat at all. He was 41 lbs at the vet last weekend. Everyone thinks we starve him because he is so skinny. he doens't alwyas eat all three cups/day, sometimes he'll eat all three meals 2 days in a row then skip an entire day.

So he's just a weird eater from what I've seen. But we'll see how he likes it once I complete the transition.

Sounds like he's also getting to a point of going down to 2 meals a day. If he's skipping eating at all you may be over feeding a bit. Much healthier to not skip meals especially for an entire day on a regular basis (ie outside of being sikc not feeling well, etc), so you may be feeding just a tad too much. Hard to say.

Good luck, regardless I'd absolutely stay FAR FAR away from the Iams food...YUCK.