I see a huge difference in ages on here at which point people are switching their puppies to adult. Some at 4 months switch, and others switch at 1 year. Why switch your puppy to adult food when they are still puppies? I switched my puppy to adult food but switched back to puppy because I got paranoid he wasn't getting enough fat/nutrients as he started to stall out with growing. Can you explain at what age you switch to adult and why? Thanks!
New to Rotating diets-any advice?
- Thread starter Lysette85
- Start date
I see a huge difference in ages on here at which point people are switching their puppies to adult. Some at 4 months switch, and others switch at 1 year. Why switch your puppy to adult food when they are still puppies? I switched my puppy to adult food but switched back to puppy because I got paranoid he wasn't getting enough fat/nutrients as he started to stall out with growing. Can you explain at what age you switch to adult and why? Thanks!
danisgoat
Moderator
It is more than rotating flavor, you are rotating the protein source. This in theory creates a more varied bacteria in the dogs GI system and in the long run lets the dog have a stronger stomach.
I rotate between the different protein sources of TOTW. I also sometimes mix in NOW and GO.
I usually use a base of TOTW either the fish or the lamb that has the lower protein percentage and mix in a smaller bag of something else.
danisgoat
Moderator
TOTW is an all stages food, so I never had to worry about when to start mixing it up.
Calliesmom
Moderator
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Rotating diets is one of those more debated topics on the forum.
Before you start rotating, you need to be sure of your reasons for doing so.
For example, if you firmly believe that no one dog food can fulfill your dogs dietary needs, then by all means rotate.
But if you are like me, and you've finally found a food that they like and will eat without hesitation and they pass the blood tests (for me that's a big one because of Bacca's liver and hypo thyroid issues), then why would you switch around? Why cause yourself the pain in transitioning one food to another. I personally don't see the upside.
I feed my dogs Now! which is a moderate protein level, grain free. I have them both on adult maintenance/seniors - to keep their calorie intake down. They get a maybe two small cookies per day and supplement with tons of carrots (they just love them). They love their food, so I would wonder why switch around?
Before you start rotating, you need to be sure of your reasons for doing so.
For example, if you firmly believe that no one dog food can fulfill your dogs dietary needs, then by all means rotate.
But if you are like me, and you've finally found a food that they like and will eat without hesitation and they pass the blood tests (for me that's a big one because of Bacca's liver and hypo thyroid issues), then why would you switch around? Why cause yourself the pain in transitioning one food to another. I personally don't see the upside.
I feed my dogs Now! which is a moderate protein level, grain free. I have them both on adult maintenance/seniors - to keep their calorie intake down. They get a maybe two small cookies per day and supplement with tons of carrots (they just love them). They love their food, so I would wonder why switch around?
danisgoat
Moderator
In your case, Barb, you have a sick dog, so you need to do what is best for your dog.
For the other people here, your diet plan really does not apply. For a dog that does not have special dietary needs, rotation can be a great idea.
Here is why I switch around the protein sources:
- Your dog has less chance of developing an allergy to a protein source when fed in rotation.
- There are variations in nutritional values in different proteins, so this way you dog gets the benefit from various protein sources.
- No matter what food you are feeding there is no way to be sure your dog will receive all the nutrition it needs from that one food.
- A diet familiar with a rotation means that I will always have a couple of different backup foods in case there is a recall or formula change in my food that I am not comfortable with.
- The vitamin mixes can vary so much from one brand to another that the deficiencies will balance out over time if you switch companies.
- If you do rotate foods, you do not need to transition gradually at all. The need to slowly change food is because you never changed their food. Dogs that are prone to GI upsets are usually the ones that do not have any variations in their diets.
Here is an article from the dog food analysis with their reasons.
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/how-often-should-i-change-foods.html
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ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
Excellent explanation.
And I will add that when you rotate foods, there is no need for general supplements.
And I will add that when you rotate foods, there is no need for general supplements.
The dogfoodanalysis website is actually what made me decide to start feeding my dogs Orijen from the day I brought home my now 6 month old. That very link that you posted is also what made me start this thread...I had read it and wanted to know what everyone else thought of it. As I stated in my earlier post in response to Caro, I also feel they will be getting a greater variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as different sources of protein. Flavor changes is just a perk, but not the reason I would rotate. I think I would like to rotate my dogs just within Orijen, as it seems to have most bases covered...they have the Red meat, 6 fish, and poultry &fish. I was considering rotating Acana in there as well, but if I find the ingredients to be similar, I will stick with just rotating within Orijen. That's what's so great about that dogfoodanalysis site, I can just check out every single ingredient of a different food to decide if my dogs would do well to rotate to it.
I don't think I would want to stray away from Orijen-like foods. I don't want to mess with the protein content they have right now, which is why I am leaning towards rotating with Acana...but I see that some people rotate their dogs with Wellness Core. I'll just do some research to see the differences in ingredients.
danisgoat
Moderator
Your dogs are lucky that you put so much thought into their diet/well being.
Dani
These are the first dogs I've ever had, and I really do look at them like they are my children. I still treat them like dogs, but the love I have for them surpasses the love I have for some people. I'm worried sick right now as Little Bear has a 104 temp...taking him to the vet in an hour
