What Tome Should I Feed My Adopted Dog

If you have just adopted a new dog, the dog will be accustomed to the food that the shelter or rescue gave them. If you change the brand or type of food too quickly, the dog may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or gas. To ensure that your dog transitions safely, you should find both the brand of shelter food and a new nutritionally balanced food for your dog. Start by mixing a little of the new food with the old food. Gradually increase the amount of new food while decreasing the old food. If your dog has stomach problems, consult a vet. If they refuse to eat the new food, try to encourage them to take their meals.

1. 1

   Ask the shelter what they feed the dogs. When you adopt the dog, you should ask the shelter or rescue what type of food that the dogs eats. Make sure they tell you what brand and type of food (puppy, large breed, mature, etc.) that they gave the dog. Some shelters may even be able to provide you with a few days' worth of the food. You will need at least a two week supply of it. You can ask the shelter:

   • "What type of food did you feed the dog? Is there a particular brand or formulation that you used?"
   • "How much did you feed them a day?"
   • "What times of day did you feed the dog?"
   • "Do you know where I can find the same brand of food? Is there a local store that sells it or can I buy it from you?"

2. 2

   Find a new type of food. Start researching what type of food you want to feed your new dog. Decide whether you will be feeding them wet canned food, dry kibble, or a raw diet. Different sizes and ages of dogs require different types of foods. You should look for a food that is formulated for your dog's specific needs.

   • Puppies, pregnant dogs, and nursing dogs should eat specially formulated puppy food.
   • Dogs over the age of seven years should be eating a formula designed for older or mature dogs.^[1]
   • Dogs over twelve months of age should be eating an adult dog food that is appropriate for their size. Dog foods are often labeled for "small," "medium," or "large" breeds. A good adult dog food will contain at least 18% protein and less than 350 calories per cup of food.^[2]

3. 3

   Determine how much food you need to feed the dog. The amount of food you need to feed your dog will vary based on the dog's size, activity level, and health. The instructions on the side of the food bag or can should tell you how much is appropriate to feed your dog. You can also consult your vet.

   • You can calculate an estimate of your dog's caloric needs. Weigh the dog in kilograms, and multiply that number by thirty. Add 70 to this number to get a rough idea of how many calories they need a day.^[3] For example, if your dog weighs nine kg (or twenty pounds), they should be eating 340 calories a day. Measure out the right amount of calories by consulting nutritional information located on the food's packaging.
   • If your dog is very active, you may need to feed them more. Older and less active dogs may need to be fed less.
   • It is generally advised to feed the dog twice a day.^[4]

4. 4

   Find a comfortable area to feed the dog. When your dog comes home from the shelter, they may be stressed, anxious, or uncertain about their surroundings. Make sure that the dog is comfortable in their new home. Place the dog's food bowl in a quiet area out of the way of children and other pets. Do not make loud noises while the dog is eating.^[5]

1. 1

   Add a little bit of new food to the old food. You will need to start introducing the new food gradually. To start, feed the dog a mixture of old food and new food with a ratio of 75% old to 25% new. For example, if your dog needs two cups of kibble, you should feed them one and a half cups of the old food and half a cup of the new food. Continue this for between one and three days.^[6]

   • If you are switching the dog from dry to wet food, you can simply stir the wet food into the bowl with the dry food.^[7]

2. 2

   Mix equal amounts of the old and new food. If three days have passed without problem, you can increase the amount of new food that you feed the dog. Mix equal amounts of the old food and the new food together. For example, if the dog is eating two cups of kibble, mix one cup of the old food and one cup of the new food. This period should last for up to three days.^[8]

3. 3

   Increase the amount of new food to 75%. If the dog is still eating the new food without problem, you can start feeding even more of the new food. At this point, the dog should be eating meals that are 75% new food and 25% old food. For example, one and a half cups of new food should be mixed with half a cup of old food. This period should last for up to another three days.^[9]

4. 4

   Stop feeding the dog the old food. If the dog has not experienced any trouble with the new food, you can stop feeding the dog their old food entirely. This typically happens at around day ten of the transition.^[10]

1. 1

   Watch for signs of stomach problems. Gas, vomiting, and diarrhea are symptoms of a problematic diet for the dog. If the dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, they may not be adjusting to their new food. To ensure that they are in good condition, you should inspect the dog's feces after they eliminate. Look for runny or loose stools; these indicate that the dog is having gastrointestinal distress.^[11] Consult your vet to find a better food.

2. 2

   Slow down if the dog gets sick. If at any point at the process the dog starts vomiting or having diarrhea, you should give them a few extra days on the last step of the process. For example, if you just increased the ratio of new food to 75% and they are having problems, return to feeding them a 50-50 ratio of old and new food. After a few days, try increasing the amount of new food again.^[12]

   • Because different dogs adjust differently to food transitions, it is important that you keep extra food on hand. While most dogs may take ten days to transition to new food, you should have at least a two week supply of the old food, if not more, just in case the dog does not transition well.

3. 3

   Transition slowly back to the old food. If you have tried slowing down the feeding transition and the dog is still sick, they may be allergic to an ingredient in the new dog food. Slowly transition the dog back to their old food by gradually increasing the old food and decreasing the new food.^[13]

4. 4

   Consult a vet. If the dog's stomach problems continue or if the dog is refusing to eat, you should visit their vet for advice. The vet may be able to diagnose an allergy, find a balanced food that benefits the dog, or recognize another underlying condition that may be causing their problems.^[14]

1. 1

   Limit treats. If you are giving the dog too many treats once you bring them home from the shelter, they may not eat their meals, delaying the transition to the new food and damaging their overall nutrition. You should try to avoid giving the dog too many treats between meals to encourage them to eat their food.

   • You can give the dog dental chews or bones in between meals if the dog wants something to chew.^[15]
   • Small dogs need even fewer treats. Just a couple of treats could equal half of their daily food requirements.^[16]

2. 2

   Change foods if the dog refuses. The dog may refuse to eat the new food or they may eat around it to get to their old food. If this happens, you can try another brand of dog food. If this continues for a couple days, switch to a different dog food. Transition to the new food using the same method that you tried with your first attempt. ^[17]

   • You should not change the brand every time the dog refuses. Rather, only switch the food if the dog consistently refuses the food over several days.
   • The dog may fast for a day, but they normally should start eating the food again after that. If they fast for longer than a day, you may want to consider changing the brand, flavor, or type of food.
   • Check to make sure the old food didn't go bad. Dry dog food can go rancid, which could be why your dog isn't eating it.^[18]

3. 3

   Move the food to a different area. If the dog is not eating, they may not be comfortable in the area where the food is placed. Try moving it to another, quieter area. Make sure to guide the dog to the bowl so that they know where you have moved it. Leave the dog alone while they eat.^[19]

Add New Question

• Question

  How do I introduce a new food to my dog?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

  

  Veterinarian

  Expert Answer

  If the new food is to be the dog's main diet, then introduce it slowly over several days. This allows the digestive system to adjust to the new food, and reduces the risk of stomach upsets. A rule of thumb is to swap a quarter of the food each day. So Day 1, give 1/4 new food and 3/4 old food; Day 2, give 1/2 new and 1/2 old; Day 3, give 3/4 new and 1/4 old; and then on Day 4, just give the new food.

• Question

  How long does it take for a dog to get used to a new home?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

  

  Veterinarian

  Expert Answer

  This very much depends on the individual dog. Some settle in within a day or so, while others take weeks. You can, however, speed the process up. Start by letting the dog have access to only 2 or 3 rooms (rather than the whole house.) This is less intimidating and helps the dog become confident more quickly. Also, stick to a routine so the dog learns what to expect and when. This predictability will greatly help the dog to settle.

• Question

  Do you have to mix dog food when changing?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

  

  Veterinarian

  Expert Answer

  Yes, it is a good idea to give a mix of foods when changing to a new one. This is because digestion partially depends on bacteria in the gut breaking food down. A totally new food with a different balance of carbohydrates and proteins, needs different bugs to break it down. By mixing the foods, you give the bacteria in the gut time to adapt and change, which can make the difference between getting a tummy upset or not.

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• Do not forget to give the dog fresh water every time you feed them.

• Try to remain consistent with feeding the dog. Feed them at the same time every day with the same amount of food.

• If you switch the dog's food too quickly, you risk upsetting their stomach. The dog may experience vomiting or diarrhea.

• While adding food like apple sauce or gravy to a dish can encourage a dog to eat, they may grow accustomed to this extra treat. They may even refuse to eat their food if the treat is not always placed in their bowl.^[20]

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Article Summary X

To transition a dog from shelter food to a different food, start by feeding your dog a mixture of 75 percent old food and 25 percent new food. After 3 days, increase the amount of new food to 50 percent if your dog is eating normally. If another 3 days pass without difficulty, increase the new food to 75 percent. On day 10 of the transition, stop feeding your dog its old food. During the transition process, try to limit treats, since too many treats will stop your dog from eating its meals. Additionally, try moving the food to a different location if your dog refuses to eat, since it may not like where you feed it. For tips from our Veterinary co-author, including what to do if your dog gets sick, read on!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.pet/Transition-a-Dog-from-Shelter-Food-to-Different-Food

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