Dog and Cat food question?

Question

Currently I feed my dog Innova EVO and my 3 three cats Wellness. I have heard and read that it is better to rotate foods for animals. Now does this mean to switch brands or flavors every few months? And, is this the same for cats as well as dogs? Responses from folks with experience would be great. I want to make sure my animals are as healthy as can be. I don't mind spending the money on these pricey foods, as long as I am doing the best thing for my animals.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Variety is the spice of life. Who wants to eat the same food day in and day out? Could you do it? For months or years? Feeding your dog something different helps to ensure that he does not become bored and frustrated with his food

Dogs (actually all mammals) are designed to consume a range of different foods, and to obtain differing vitamins and minerals from each. They are not designed to eat “only chicken” or “only lamb” or any other food item for eternity. Changing foods, importantly the contents of those foods, every so often helps to give them the variety their bodies were designed to thrive on.
Now does this mean to switch brands or flavors every few months?
Look at the ingredients in the different formulas made by your brand. What is different? If it is only the main meat ingredient, then you should change to a different brand when you change foods. If many of the ingredients, including the main meat, are different then there is no need to change brands if you don’t want to. The point here is to ensure that your dog gets a good variety of different food items in his diet. Not brand loyalty.

Answer 2

Either should work. The theory behind rotating foods is that feeding many different ingredients over a period of time (vs the exact same food every single meal for a dog or cat's entire life) gives more balanced nutrition (since the exact nutritional content varies considerably even among the best brands of food and to a lesser extent between different formulas of the same brand) and reduces the chances of developing allergies or food sensitivities. I sort of do this, although I do not rotate the dry dog food but rather offer different healthy add-ins such as canned food, fresh vegetables, and healthy table scraps. It is also supposed to help the dog cope with food changes. The general recommendation is to switch foods gradually over the course of a few weeks mixing new and old...personally I have never experienced any real problems other than maybe one or two loose stools from sudden diet changes or from suddenly needing to feed a different food (for example if I'm on vacation and not in an area that sells the brand I use).

Answer 3

No- you do NOT need to rotate food or switch them at all. I have never heard this, in fact, I have heard just the opposite. Switching can cause intestinal upset and problems. If you change foods, it must be done so gradually and in a coarse of over a 2 week period, gradually adding more of the new food and less of the old (to avoid those intestinal upsets). It's best to stick with one food. NO matter what you hear, they don't get tired of it. As long as the food is nutritionally sound, you are fine. (BTW - you are feeding EXCELLENT foods!).

Answer 4

It is actually better not to switch their food because automatically changing dog and cat's food can cause severe intestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
If you think they are getting bored with their food- try boiling some skinless chicken and adding a little bit to their food bowls once a week. The skinless chicken is a low fat food so it is good for digestion. However, you need to stick with the dog and cat food you are using. Innova and Wellness are great brands.

Answer 5

I own two golden retriever service dogs that are certified to go everywhere with me as assistants. They were trained by an agency that does this kind of thing and then trains each person with their service dog which will perform special tasks for that person. These dogs are valued at $15,000 to $25,000 each, depending upon what they are trained for. I am only telling you this because I want you to know that I only give them the best of what is good for them.

There is no way that I would EVER feed my dog one bite of food that is made for human consumption. Dogs are not humans, and their dietary needs are completely different.

I feed my two golden retrievers a dry dog food that is made by a granary not too far from here. It is high protein, with no fillers, so dogs will eat less of it. This food is primarily used by the breeders who supply service dogs. It is made in the US, and there is nothing from China! Also, the ingredients are posted on the label. I would only feed my dogs what was recommended by the veterinarian or a professional breeder. Vets have a tendency to recommend Science Diet because the company and its stock is owned by vets. If I were to have to buy from a store, I would by Iams brand DRY food. I do not change their brands of food. To do so would only be asking for digestive problems. Do you think farmers change their cow's food every two to three weeks? Dogs will eat what we give them, unless they are sick or not hungry. I certainly don't run a restaurant here for them, and it is better on their digestive system to stay with the same food. Changing food easily brings on diarrhea.

Also, what gives dogs and cats problems often is a change in water. When we go away, we take our water with us, or give them bottled water.

I also give my dogs a treat twice a day. I give them Milkbone in the morning after our walk. Milkbone is on the inexpensive side (especially if you buy them at Walmart or Sam's Club) and they have a good amount of fiber. About 9 p.m. (they tell me when it is time!) I give them a Greenie, which is a chloropyll type of treat that is very effective is keeping their breath fresh and teeth clean. If you give your dog 1 a day, you should not have to get their teeth cleaned.

They also get one fish oil capsule a day in with their food.

All of these products, are MADE IN THE USA. Even before the latest scare with the Chinese imported raw ingredients killing pets, my trainers advised me that food and chew things made in China had a lot of formaldahyde in them. I actually don't give them rawhide, because you really do not need to encourage a chewing habit. The toys they have and LOVE, are hard rubber ones (Kong is a good brand). Anything else would be in shreds.

I hope I have helped you in some way, because I notice a lot of difference of opinion here. I commend you for wanting to do the best for your animals.

Best wishes.

Answer 6

if your pets are doing great on the food and like it, there's no need to change at all.
if you think they're getting bored of it, then switch it up -- GRADUALLY make the change to a new food by giving them a tiny bit more of it each meal (tiny bit each time! it should take about two weeks) so as not to upset their stomachs. make sure they're all very high quality foods.
but if you are concerned about switching around for health benefits, that's not really a concern. they'll do perfect on a high-quality food that they like -- rotating isn't necessary at all.

Answer 7

As far as my cats, I change their dry and wet food *brands* about every three months. They won't even eat the same thing longer than that anymore. Refusal would be an understatement. Same brand, different flavor means NOTHING to them, they still reject it. I talked to my vet about it, and they said it was quite normal, and advised that I just get in the habit of changing it every few months, as it helps them meet their nutritional needs. Im a slave to them, so I just take the stance these days that kitties know best ;)

Answer 8

I always switch it up with my cats and dogs. I think of it as if I were an animal I wouldn't want to be eating the same thing all the time! :)

Answer 9

No, if you are feeding good healthy, balanced diets (and you are), no reason to rotate. In fact, in dogs, you'll cause digestive upsets. Dogs seem to need consistency even more than cats.

Answer 10

yeah i have 3 cats and i feed them whiskers which is a good brand here in the uk, but yes they do get board with the same brand i switch cheep to fresh meaning chicken left overs.