How to accustom a dog to dry feed

Dry food transitioning for your dog can be a fulfilling experience for both of you and your pet. Dry food is a popular choice among pet owners because of its nutritional value and ease of use. Some dogs, though, might be reluctant to give up their wet food or leftover table scraps. It can go more smoothly if you know how to make this transition easier.

It’s crucial to start off by introducing dry food gradually. To begin, stir a tiny bit of dry kibble into your dog’s regular meal. By doing this, you can gradually introduce the new texture and flavor to your dog without overwhelming them. Since some dogs may require more time to adjust than others, patience is essential.

Don’t forget to think about meal timing. By feeding your dog at the same time every day, you can establish a routine that will help them get used to the change. Treats or other forms of positive reinforcement can also persuade them to try the dry food. Your dog will probably become accustomed to their new diet quickly if they put in some effort and are consistent.

Advantages and disadvantages of industrial feeds

The popularity of industrial feeds among pet owners is not insignificant. Manufacturers are constantly under pressure to improve the quality of their products due to intense competition.

Commercial dog food

As a result, dry food that precisely suits the requirements of a specific breed, age, and physical condition of the dog is currently available.

Some dog owners feed their pets inappropriate and occasionally harmful foods because they are unaware—or do not want to understand—that their pets are not omnivores. An approach to dog nutrition like this eventually has terrible health effects and, in severe cases, can result in death. See our other article to learn what foods you cannot give your dog.

Convenience

1. There is no need to cook.
2. Dry food is simply poured into a bowl.
3. It takes no more than 15 minutes to feed your pet.

Citation! The dog has time to finish eating the necessary amount of treats during this period.

Cleanliness

When fed natural food, dogs frequently have messy eating habits. It takes work on the part of the owner to tidy the area around the dish, gather food scraps, and bathe the animal. It’s possible for cereal or other product remnants to get on a dog’s ears, paws, and muzzle. This is particularly valid for furry animals.

The dog stays clean when fed dry food, and a cracker that spills from the bowl doesn’t leave stains on the floor.

The dog’s coat and the area surrounding the bowl are not discolored by the food.

Benefits

All conscientious pet owners strive to provide their animals with the healthiest food possible. It is crucial to determine the dog’s optimal ratio of proteins, carbs, vitamins, and other elements in order to accomplish this. All of this is already present in industrial feeds in amounts required for the animal’s life and wellbeing. You don’t need to feed it again.

Suggested formula for high-quality feeds

These diets are designed with the dog’s age, weight, and age in mind. Certain food manufacturers formulate their products with the intention of fortifying the animal’s defenses against illnesses or ailments.

Citation! All of the aforementioned characteristics are associated with premium dry food. Most of the time, cheap equivalents lack these characteristics. They are mostly made of leftover meat and cereals. Food of poor quality will cause more harm than benefit.

Among the drawbacks is the relatively high price of high-quality dry food. There will also be issues if the owner chooses to switch brands and feeds the dog food made by a different company. The wellbeing of the pet might not be best served by a sudden change in direction.

Feeding rules when using industrial feeds

On the packaging, dry food consumption rates are typically indicated in a separate block. These numbers are highly approximations, though. Numerous factors determine how much food each animal needs. The primary factors are the dog’s weight, its level of activity throughout the day, and the dry food’s energy content.

Manufacturers provide a large selection of dry food.

Dry food in the economy class typically has a subpar composition. As a result, the dog requires a substantial amount to sate its hunger. Furthermore, a diet like this suggests adding foods that are complementary and contain nutrients the dog needs but aren’t found in the dry food.

Dry food in the premium class is better balanced. They contain all the vitamins and microelements required for the dog, along with protein components.

When determining the ideal serving size for a dog, it is important to consider that active dogs and nursing moms require larger portions. The recommended amount is increased by a quarter for bitches who are pregnant or nursing, and by a third for active dogs, according to the package.

A pregnant bitch’s health and the welfare of her littermates after birth depend on her receiving the right nutrition. See our other article for more information on how to recognize a pregnant dog.

More food is necessary for a pregnant dog.

Lower the amount by ¼ for elderly pets and those who spend most of their days lying on couches or other sedentary positions. By doing this, obesity-causing overeating will be prevented.

Statistics show that about forty percent of dogs are obese. A condition known as obesity occurs when there is an excessive buildup of fat in the subcutaneous layer and other tissues. Dogs are impacted by this issue just like people are. Our special article has more information about obesity in dogs.

Table 1. Suggested portions of high-quality dog food for various breeds.

Dog weight	Amount of food per day for active dogs	Daily rate for dogs with low activity
2 kg	60 ​​g	30 g
5 kg	90 g	60 g
10 kg	160 g	120 g
20 kg	280 g	180 g
30 kg	390 g	240 g
40 kg	480 g	320 ​​g
50 kg	560 g	360 g
60 kg	640 g	420 g

It is important that you remember the feeding schedule. The dog needs to eat at the designated time only. You should avoid feeding during the day if at all possible. This is particularly valid for food that is served at the table. Food intended for humans is far too spicy and should not be fed to dogs. Such additional foods also throw off the feeding schedule. Because it does not feel hungry, the dog will thus refuse to eat when it is time to feed.

Feeding is even more convenient with special feeders.

Video – how to choose dry food for dogs

General rules for switching to another diet

It’s not a good idea to switch a dog’s diet on the spot. This procedure requires one to three weeks. The animal’s body has time to fully repair itself in order to process the new food during this period.

A dog’s favorite food must be selected in addition to one of superior quality when switching them to dry food. Before selecting the best dry food manufacturer, the owner frequently needs to test products from several others. It is best to purchase a small quantity of food to try at first.

Making the right food choices is a difficult process.

Only high-quality, wholefoods are appropriate for a balanced diet. The pet owner can be certain that their pet is getting all the nutrients necessary for a healthy and normal life when they feed them. Like natural products, certain foods can trigger allergies. You should see a veterinarian and buy dry food from a hypoallergenic brand if your pet exhibits signs of allergy reactions, such as rashes, itching, or other skin conditions.

When feeding dry food, there must always be access to water.

A dog fed dry food ought to drink a lot of water. Unlike natural products, dry granules are almost completely devoid of moisture. Fresh water should always be available to the dog.

Citation! It’s possible that you’ll need to take your pet for more walks in the beginning after changing its diet. The body will adjust with time, and walking will resume its natural rhythm.

How to transfer a dog to dry food

You must give the dog time to get used to the dry food if its appearance and smell do not pique his interest in trying it. This is accomplished by placing a small amount of food—a few granules—directly next to a bowl that contains the pet’s regular food. The dog will grow accustomed to the smell of the dry food after a few days and begin to associate it with meals.

A small amount of food placed close to the regular food bowl will allow the dog to become accustomed to the scent.

On a walk, you can treat them to dry food. In this manner, the dog will have time to adjust to the new diet.

Gradually introduce dry food. In the initial phases, the percentage of dry food should not be higher than 10% of the daily caloric intake. Next, raise it gradually. 90–100% of the food should already be dry food by the end of the first week of transfer.

Steady rise in the proportion of dry food

Granules are soaked in broth or water if the animal refuses to eat them for whatever reason. Certain canines favor soft food. Use two to three parts broth to one part dry food to soak the granules. You can also use natural yogurt or kefir for this. You can give the dog dry food granules once the dry food portion reaches 100%. It is usually fully acclimated to the new food by this point.

As a point of reference, the granules are drenched in gravy for the dogs who consumed wet industrial food.

Dogs are more tolerant of soaked food.

A puppy’s transition to dry food doesn’t differ all that much from an adult dog’s. In this instance, it’s crucial to remember that the puppy should be fed its regular foods for the first ten days following its separation from its mother. You can gradually transition the animal to dry food after the adaptation period.

Citation! For puppies, there is a different range of dry food that is designed with their growing bodies in mind.

Why a dog refuses dry food

• satiety;
• habit;
• stress;

How to relieve a dog from ongoing stress

The dog may be refusing to eat at the next feeding because of an overly large portion of food. Dry food is far less necessary for the body to function normally than natural products.

An overly large portion causes frequent food refusals.

Unfamiliar granules with an odd smell might not seem like food to an animal that has spent its entire life on natural products. To allow the dog to become used to strange food, dry food should be introduced to it gradually.

Aid! Dogs of small breeds are frequently finicky eaters. This is mostly because they frequently receive bits of different treats from the owner’s table.

Dry food is more durable than natural products. The dog will experience pain when chewing on dry food if it has any oral cavity wounds or dental issues.

One of the causes of solid food refusal is oral damage.

If dry food is not stored properly, it can go bad. It takes on an awful taste and smell. A dog will not consume anything that could injure it. The same holds true for dry food of the lowest quality that has an uneven composition.

Animals that spend most of their days on the couch do not need to use as much energy. Such a lifestyle frequently results in loss of appetite and apathy.

A dog’s sedentary lifestyle may result in decreased appetite

Transporting the dog to a new location or the owners’ absence could be the reason for their refusal to eat. The animal undergoes extreme stress in these circumstances, which results in appetite loss.

For a pet, vaccinations are required. They aid in defending it against the most prevalent illnesses. In addition, nausea and appetite loss are common injection side effects.

Vaccinations protect against diseases that could kill an animal. These include several diseases that are dangerous to humans, like rabies and leptospirosis. The dog owner may not always be able to visit the veterinarian, though. To find out how to vaccinate a dog on your own, see our other article.

You need to be very careful when switching a dog to dry food, or even dry food from a different manufacturer. In the event that the principle of consistency is broken, the animal can grow a lifelong dislike for this type of food that will be challenging to cure.

The secret to introducing dry food to your dog is to be patient and consistent. Initially, incorporate a small quantity of dry kibble into their usual meal, progressively increasing the dry portion as time goes on. By using this method, your dog can become accustomed to the new taste and texture without becoming overwhelmed. To establish a good association, always make sure there is fresh water available and give your dog a treat when they finish the dry food. Your dog will eventually come to appreciate their new diet with encouragement and time.

What to do if the dog does not want to eat industrial food

It’s important to rule out the animal’s illness first. A sick dog will turn down food at all. If oral diseases are the cause of the refusal, the pet should be shown to the veterinarian, who will then administer the necessary treatment. Granules should be given after soaking in kefir or broth until full recovery.

It is crucial to monitor the time between feedings once the dog has transitioned entirely to dry food. Feed the animal concurrently. After fifteen minutes, the bowl is taken out if the dog still won’t eat at the scheduled hour.

Dry food is rejected by the dog.

The animal’s body won’t suffer if it fasts for two to three days. Usually, the dog regains its appetite and happily consumes the food that is offered on the third day.

Crucial! Handouts from the table and any complementary feeding must be completely avoided during this time.

The canine needs to keep in mind that it will only be fed this food and only at the scheduled time.

You might only need to switch up the flavor if your dog has been refusing to eat the same food for a while. At the next feeding, you can give your dog a dry food of the same brand that tastes like chicken or fish if he has been eating granules with a beef flavor.

Playing active games outside and taking a long walk can sometimes be the best ways to increase appetite.

Step	Description
1	Introduce the dry feed gradually by mixing it with wet food.
2	Observe your dog"s reaction and adjust the mix accordingly.
3	Slowly increase the amount of dry food over time.
4	Encourage your dog with praise when they eat the dry food.
5	Be patient and consistent to help them adjust.

It may take some time and patience for your dog to get used to eating dry food. Gradually increase the percentage of dry food by starting with a small amount mixed with their regular meal. This keeps your dog from becoming overwhelmed as they adjust to the new taste and texture.

It’s important to watch your dog’s reaction. You may need to experiment with different brands or flavors of dry food if they exhibit signs of resistance. Make sure the food is of the highest caliber and appropriate for the size and age of your dog. Occasionally, a minor alteration in taste can have a significant impact.

Create a routine to enhance the enjoyment of mealtimes. Feed your dog at regular intervals throughout the day and create a distraction-free, peaceful environment. By doing this, a favorable association with their dry food will be cultivated. Your dog will adjust with time and might even start to enjoy their dry kibble.

Recall that patience is essential. Don’t give up if your dog doesn’t take to dry food right away. With the correct approach, patience, and time, your dog can come to appreciate their new diet. Success comes from consistency, so before long, your pet will happily eat their dry food!

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