For those of you who rotate diferent foods

LeonbergerLeonberger
edited October 2008 in Food, Nutrition, & Health
How exactly do you do it?

Let me explain. I'm swtching kuma from Acana Puppy large to the new Acana grain free Pacifica. Turns out there might be a little delay on the arrival and I probably won't have enough to do a proper transition. So I'm thinking about transitioning him now to Orijem Puppy large and then start a rotation between Orijen Puppy (or adult when it comes to it), Acana Pacifica salmon only) and probably the Go! Natural, that my supplier is going to have in stock too.

Comments

  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    I started out with a very slow rotation because Jazz had been on the brand she was on for over two years. My version took several weeks (when I first did it), but I do it now in the space of about 8 days - Jazz's food changes monthly (roughly). I did 1/4 new & 3/4 old, then 1/2 & 1/2, then 3/4 new & 1/4 old, then all new. I did each of those for a week at a time. I now do 2 days on each. She's had all of the brands before and did just fine on them all. Maybe do 4 days on each step?
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    I didn't phrase it very well. I wanted to know how often you change foods. I can see you do it on a monthly basis, pretty much.

    Thanks LJ.
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    I rotate Nemo's food every 4 months or so.
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Oops! A bag lasts roughly a month to six weeks for Jazz, so I go that route.
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    I was thinking of doing it every 2 bags or so.
    Start with Orijen Puppy Large now, and after 2 bags of that switching to Acana Pacifica for another 2 bags, the Go!Natural, then Orijen again (probably by then it will be adult)
  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1
    I change foods every 3-4 months, which is about two 30 lb. bags. I switch between Evo Small Bites and Solid Gold Barking at The Moon...I think I may try Wellness CORE next...I also add HK to their dinners and usually switch it up between Embark and Force.

    Switching foods too often or too fast may upset the stomach. I usually do what LJ does for transitioning them between foods. When trying new foods that they haven't had before, I usually make the transition time longer. But if you notice that the food isn't sitting well with Kuma, you should try feeding him a bland diet and going back to the new food to see if that helps. If you don't see any changes while transitioning him - it would be safe to feed him the new food exclusively after a week or so.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    What is the value of switching foods? I never have with my dogs other than going from puppy to adult food. Info would be great!
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    The value is...a better balance of proteins and nutrients. I feed 4 different brands to Jazz - I made my selections from Whole Dog Journal's list and then got additional feedback from the forum. In addition to the better balance, I don't see a time when Jazz "ignores" her food. My previous dog was fed a generic food by a major company. He did very well - he lived to an age of 14 - I know wonder how much healthier he could have been, if he was on a high quality food vs. the junk food (in comparison) that he ate all of those years.

    Jazz also has a skin condition, so I chose foods that were grain free.
  • kwyldkwyld
    edited October 2008
    No one food made for dogs can possibly meet every single dog's nutrient requirements. It's just not possible. Just like LJ said, by rotating foods it balances out what some foods might be lacking ingredient and vitamin/mineral wise. If you ate Rice Krispies every day day for 15 years, you would probably get some type of deficiency that would lead to a disease. That IMO is why we see so many dogs with health concerns when they get older, because they have had a chronic deficiency of some type of nutrient by being fed the same exact thing for 15 years.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all the info! I will defanatley look into a food rotating routine.

    We had a mutt for 18 years (MacArthur in the picture) that at the same thing his whole life. I never even thought about food rotation until I heard all your great comments!
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Question: I have always heard that it was bad to switch from one kind of meat food to another (i.e. mainly chicken to lamb or something else). From looking at this forum, I am guessing this isn't true? As long as you gradually change out food on the rotation is it okay to do all different types of meats?

    Im learning so much today!
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    I'm pretty sure you're ok switching different meats so long as it's done gradually. I know many of the members here rotate from beef to lamb to fish, etc. So I am assuming if it is done gradually there shouldn't be any problems. [ though I can't think of a reason why a dog would have difficulty adjusting between different kinds of meats anyway ]

    I could be wrong though, so I'll leave it to another member to post their opinion / experience ;) ~
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    I know it makes a difference if they have allergies/reactions, such as Lucy. She works on one protein source (I think it is Rabbit right now). Jazz has some grain issues which is why I stick with the grain-free, but I rotate from fish to beef to venison/duck to buffalo.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    If they have allergies, don't switch the protein. Otherwise, I thought gradually rotating proteins prevented dogs from developing sensitivies.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Wonderful! Thanks. Neither one of my dogs have allergies so I am glad to know I can switch their protiens to help them get more nutriton.
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    So, there is one thing to be cautious of when rotating your dog's protein source and that is keeping some novel protein sources available. By novel, I mean protein sources that your dog has never had *ANY* contact with. If you do find yourself in a situation where your dog is having digestive tract allergies, novel protein sources are about the only thing you can do. If your dog has been exposed to them over the years, it reduces or completely cancels their effectiveness.

    So, rotate if your dog shows no signs of allergies, but make sure to keep at least two or three protein sources in reserve in case you need them some day. The common ones are Venison, Rabbit, and Duck.
  • ddowdemersddowdemers
    edited November -1
    Great advice, Dave. thnks.
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