HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PETS DIET?

1.Go Slow

Any two diets will have differences between them — even if these differences are subtle. These differences are probably why your veterinarian recommended the diet change in the first place. This change may affect your pet’s response to the new diet, as well as the response of his or her digestive system. Just like people, the digestive systems of pets contain a number of normal intestinal bacteria that help with the digestive process. When a diet change is made, your pet’s system is receiving a new formulation of nutrients that could cause a shift in the numbers and types of beneficial intestinal bacteria. These shifts are usually subtle but may be noticeable if they happen quickly. For example, a new diet that is higher in fat or has a different amount of dietary fiber could contribute to soft stools or gas if the change is not made slowly. This doesn’t mean the diet won’t work, only that a more gradual change may be needed to allow the bacteria time to adjust. For this reason, diet changes should usually be made over a period of at least a week. And if your pet vomits, has persistent diarrhea or gas, refuses to eat or seems lethargic, call your veterinarian.

2. Choose the Right Time and Place

Pets rely heavily on their sense of smell and connect the scent of a diet with how they feel when they smell the food. For that reason, sick pets may associate feeling poorly with the diet offered at the time, causing a food aversion (reluctance or refusal to eat the food). If this happens, the pet may be unlikely to eat that diet later. For this reason, it’s best to make diet changes once pets are discharged from the hospital and feeling better. If a diet change absolutely has to be made before your pet has recovered, check with your veterinarian on how to achieve this for long-term success.