Ever been in a food rut? You’ve been eating the same thing meal after meal and it’s starting to taste really bland? Well, imagine how your pet feels. He eats the same thing for every...single...meal. And that’s exactly why some pet parents have switched to rotational diets. If you’re curious to learn more and you want to know if you should mix it up at mealtime for your pet, keep reading! We’ll give you all the rotational feeding info you need to decide if it’s a good idea for your dog.
What Are Rotation Diets?
Rotational diets are designed for exactly that—rotation! You switch things up for your pet and feed a series of different diets. They’re most often made with a variety of protein options, including chicken, beef, fish, lamb, and more. Rotational diets might even include a variety of formats and include raw meals, dry kibble, dehydrated options, and more.
Rotational diets are formulated with variety in mind. They’re an attempt to get your bored pup excited about mealtime. They’re made to entice him to gobble up every last bite and take his sweet time indulging in his dinner.
Some folks also believe that rotation diets can help prevent your pet from developing food allergies. While this hasn’t been substantiated by a whole lot of science, it’s something to discuss with your Vet!
Is A Rotation Diet Right For Your Dog?
Ok, you’re interested? Well, keep in mind that rotation diets aren’t right for every pet. And each dog has unique dietary needs. That said, many pets enjoy the variety at mealtime a rotation diet provides. You should consult your animal nutritionist or Vet before you make any changes to your dog’s diet. But, if you’ve got the go-ahead from a professional, here are the pets who might benefit the most from a rotation diet:
- Picky eaters: If your dog turns up his nose and is extremely picky about the food he’s willing to eat, a rotation diet might help! He’ll be exposed to all kinds of new and delicious ingredients that just might strike your finicky pet’s fancy.
- Dehydrated dogs: If your dog doesn’t love to drink water, rotation diets can help keep him hydrated. Many of them are moisture-rich and provide the perfect opportunity to sneak some water into his daily diet without him even noticing!
- Bored pups: If your dog doesn’t come running to the kitchen when it’s mealtime, he’s likely not all that excited about his meal. Rotation diets keep him on his toes and help entice him with new, fresh, tasty ingredients that’ll grab his attention and make mealtime anything but boring.
- Allergy pets: If your pet already has a food sensitivity, feeding a rotation diet might be a good idea! Why? Because if he’s unable to eat certain ingredients thanks to his allergy, he might be missing out on essential vitamins and minerals his body needs. Rotating between foods and diets helps guarantee he’s getting all the nutrients he needs.
How To Feed A Rotation Diet
You’ve decided to add variety to your dog’s diet by rotating between recipes….where do you start? First, you’re going to need dog food! Many pet food brands offer formulas designed for rotational feeding that include similar recipes and multiple protein options.
But, the options are endless! And there’s no reason you need to choose dog food all from the same brand, with similar recipes, or that are the same type. You could choose to feed your dog kibble one meal and fresh raw the next. It’s totally up to you just how much variety you add to your dog’s diet. That said, these are some things to consider before rotating diets:
- Talk to your Vet: We can’t stress this enough! You should always consult a professional before making changes to your dog’s diet. Whether that’s a Vet, animal nutritionist or other trained dog specialists you trust to discuss your pet’s diet with, get guidance before changing diets.
- Start slowly: Don’t all of the sudden swap out your dog’s food one day! Transition to a new diet slowly, over the course of 1-2 weeks. This will help prevent digestive upset and some uncomfortable symptoms for Fido.
- Remember that your dog is unique: What might work for one pet, won’t work for another. Some dogs have no problem switching between dog foods every day. Others need a solid two weeks to transition between recipes. Whatever the case may be, keep in mind your own dog’s needs!
- Consider adding digestive support: To further protect your pet from digestive upset, consider adding a gut-targeted supplement to his diet, too! Probiotic supplements can make switching between diets easier for your pet to stomach.
Pethonesty Supplements To Pair With Rotation Diets
Ready to switch things up at mealtime? Then grab some of our pet probiotics! Try Pethonesty Digestive Probiotics Chews in duck flavor or Pethonesty Digestive Probiotics Chews in pumpkin flavor. They’re both formulated with billions of healthy bacteria that support digestive wellness and can be especially beneficial when you’re rotating diets.
Sources:
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/rotational-feeding-dogs/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_rotation_feeding_for_dogs
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/frequently-asked-questions/diet-rotation-for-dogs/
