HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PETS DIET?

3.Strategize

Diet change works better as a deliberate process. Several strategies can be effective.Some pets need time to accept a new diet as “not new anymore” before they try it. At mealtime, offer the new and the old diets in separate bowls. When meals are done, throw out the uneaten portion of the new diet. This seems wasteful, but it’s important. The food’s smell and texture changes as it is exposed to air, so offering fresh food at each meal is more attractive than offering leftovers. After a week, gradually decrease the amount of the old diet and increase the amount of the new diet, until your pet is fully transitioned to the new diet. You may also make the new diet more attractive by adding a bit of something extra-tasty — although check with your veterinarian first before adding anything to make sure it is safe for your pet and whatever his or her medical condition is. Once the transition is done, decrease the amount of the extra item until it is eliminated. Another strategy is mixing the two diets together, starting with 90 percent of the old diet and 10 percent of the new diet, with a gradual shift in proportions each day until your pet is fully transitioned to the new diet. Again, adding a bit of something extra-tasty (check with your veterinarian) may make the transition easier. This item can be withdrawn gradually once the transition is complete.

5.Prepare yourself

Now you’ve seen that making a diet change isn’t necessarily simple. To help make it successful, make a plan. Decide how you will monitor your pet’s intake of the new diet, how much of the new diet you will need to purchase at a time, where you will purchase the new diet (some therapeutic diets are available only through veterinary hospitals or with a prescription) and when you will have to re-order it. Also, think about how feeding will change for your other pets. Free-feeding is common in multi-pet households, so changing one pet’s diet generally means that either all pets will change or that pets can’t be allowed to eat each other’s food. Keep in mind that the change is important for your pet’s health, so continuing to feed your pet’s old diet may not be recommended. If you foresee or have difficulties with making a diet change, such as a pet who absolutely refuses to eat the new diet, discuss your concerns with your veterinarian.