Michelle's Life With Dogs

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

How to change dog foods quickly when your brand is recalled

Ain't Misbehavin' recommends Fromm Family Foods because it is a small, family owned company that has never had a recall. It is a bit pricey but our dogs thrive on it. It is well worth the cost!

When your brand of pet food is recalled you have to quickly take your pet off that food, unlike the gradual process of transitioning your pet from one food to another. As your dog’s digestive system is used to a specific formula of food, you have to take precautionary steps to ensure a smooth, quick transition.

Steps to Take When Switching Pet Food Immediately:

Find a Similar Formula

Choose a food that closely matches your pet’s previous food formula. For instance, if your pet was on a lamb and rice diet, switch to a pet food that uses lamb and rice in the formula. The new food should be mixed with one of the following to ease the switch on your pet’s digestive system.

Mix With Chicken & Rice

Make your own mixture of 20% chicken and 80% rice. Cut chicken breast meat into bite-sized pieces and cook. Then cook the rice and mix it with the cooked chicken. Use this mixture in combination with the new food you are transitioning your pet to.

Pumpkin

Purchase canned pumpkin—not pie mix—and mix with the new pet food. The fiber content in pumpkin is very effective in the treatment and maintenance of digestive health for pets and can ease the quick transition in foods. Mixing a small amount of pumpkin with your pet’s new food (1/4 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, depending on the pet's weight) can help to ensure your dog or car doesn’t experience a case of diarrhea. In fact, often a veterinarian will prescribe pumpkin as part of the treatment for intestinal malady, as well as simply a healthful dietary supplement.

Plain Yogurt

The active cultures in yogurt will repopulate your pet’s digestive system with healthy and soothing bacterial flora. Mix a small amount of plain yogurt with your pet’s new food to ease in the transition on his or her digestive system. If you have any further questions or concerns contact your veterinarian for further information.