Changing foods safely. How to wean on to a better diet.

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Patton had IBD, food allergies and chronic diarrhea which got worse with Flagyl or metrinidazole (the drug used by vets for diarrhea). Now he has been diarrhea free. Patton says go slow with diet changes!

Weaning pets off and on foods can be a challenge but there is so much to know about this subject! Kibble fed dogs switching to raw requires a great change within each liver cell and within the entire mucosal layer of the GI tract.  Did you know when we change foods we change the type of good bacteria in the digestive lumen? This change happens very quickly but the lysozyme shifts and enzymatic shifts can take weeks especially in dogs feed a fairly stable kibble for a long period of time. Here is a good rule of thumb on changing foods in general for the average dog who is not prone to diarrhea or vomiting:

First phase 75% old food  25% new food: Observe for GI symptoms. if there are any problems, back off or stay the same until the dog acclimitizes to this new change. For some dogs this can be over a week. Sometimes dogs require probiotics or herbs such as marshmallow root or other Spleen support herbs during this initial transition.

Second phase: 50% of each old and new. When dogs are on 50:50 we can see some GI problems too and sometimes I remain at this stage another week or two. Taking the time to switch properly will help in the long run.

Third day or phase: 25% old food 75% new food

Fourth day 100% new food.

There are some dogs and cats that need this transition to take a whole month and to literally be teaspoon by teaspoon. For cats, routine is key so a slower transition makes for a more successful outcome.

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