How long to switch dog food

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If they continue to vomit for more than 6 hours, bring them to your veterinarian right away to help them stop vomiting and get rehydrated. Eating less inappetence or not eating at all anorexia may result because of stomach upset or nausea when switching dog food.

Let their stomach rest for a few hours with free access to water. After the rest, try to offer them a small amount of food to see if they will eat it.

If they do not, try again in a few hours. If they are not eating for more than 6 hours, bring them to your veterinarian right away for care. Smaller dogs become an adult at around 8 months of age; medium-sized dogs around 12 months of age; large dogs around 18 months of age; and giant-breed dogs, around 24 months of age.

When your dog becomes an adult, switching to an adult dog food is an option but is not mandatory. While some dogs may do well long-term on puppy or all-life-stages food, the extra calories in these diets can create problems with weight gain and obesity. Here are a few guidelines to help you choose an adult dog food when the time is right:. Once you have found the right food for your young adult dog, be sure to follow the diet transition schedule above to minimize stomach upset.

A dog is more or less considered a senior at around years of age. A senior dog food provides fewer calories to your dog during a given meal. The assumption behind the design of a senior diet is that, as dogs age, they are not as active as they once were and do not need the same number of calories as an active adult dog. The problem with that assumption is that each dog is an individual whose energy, appetite, and metabolism are unique to that individual.

Here are a few guidelines to help you decide whether and when to switch your dog to a senior diet:. If you and your veterinarian decide that switching to a senior dog food is correct for your dog, choose a senior dog food with the guidelines below and follow the diet transition switch guidelines above according to their intestinal sensitivity.

Some of the trendiest dog food diets on the market are grain-free diets and raw food diets. There are pros and cons to choosing either one. Before purchasing either, speak to your veterinarian about your intention to switch so they can guide you in your selection. Pro : One possible reason for choosing a grain free dog food is a lower incidence of mycotoxins —chemicals created by fungi that can have negative effects on the body when consumed.

Con : Grain-free diets have lost popularity throughout after an FDA article made a loose connection between grain-free diets and the discovery of a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. Unfortunately, we are unsure of the actual cause of the heart condition. This link needs to be investigated further. Pro : Raw diets have superior digestibility to kibble and canned diets, increasing the nutrient absorption by the body. However, freshly-cooked diets also boast superior digestibility and are safer to have in your home and feed to your pet.

Those bacteria can end up on you, your family members, and all over your home. Raw diets have been found to be nutrient deficient and on occasion, have sharp bone pieces that can do damage to the mouth or intestines.

All featured products were chosen at the discretion of the Great Pet Care editorial team and not directly recommended or endorsed by the author of this article. Gradually keep adding the new food and decreasing the old until you have made the transition fully.

The gradual change over will help to avoid tummy upsets. Your dog's diet Feeding your dog the right diet for its age and size can help to keep them happy and healthy.

Read more. Keeping your dog's weight down It's important to make sure your dog stays at a healthy weight. Find out more. Different doggy diets There are lots of different types of diet for dogs. Before you go! Why not sign up for our newsletter to receive regular pet health advice from our vets?