How to train a dog to eat dry food?

How can I transition my dog ​​to dry food correctly, without negative consequences for its health? A dog's diet consisting of dry food is undoubtedly healthier and more convenient for the pet owner. However, what should I do if I've previously fed my dog ​​natural food or wet canned food and am only now considering making the transition? After all, a sudden change in diet is stressful for the animal's body, which can have serious consequences.

In our post today, we'll try to answer these questions... First, let's address the question: is it worth switching your dog to a dry diet at all? If you're not a nutritionist and can't create a balanced and nutritious menu for your pet yourself, then obviously, it is!

General principles and recommendations

Regardless of your pet's previous diet, if you decide to transition them to dry food, it's important to follow these general guidelines and recommendations developed by experts and veterinarians. These principles include the following points and will help you transition your dog to dry food with minimal disruption:

1. Transitioning dogs to dry food should be done gradually. Don't try to change their eating habits overnight. This won't work. Your dog's digestive system needs to be prepared for the new diet, and this should be done gradually. On average, if your dog tolerates the new food without problems, it will take 7 to 10 days to fully transition to the new menu. During the first few days, you should supplement your pet's main food with dry food at a ratio of 10-15% and 85-90% of their usual food. Then, adjust the ratio to 25% and 75%. If there's no negative reaction, after a few days, you can increase the ratio of new to old food to 50%. After maintaining this ratio for a few days, you can transition your pet to a 75% and 25% ratio, and eventually, a 100% diet consisting of high-quality food.
2. When an animal consistently eats the same type of food, its gastrointestinal tract develops a unique microflora with its own specific bacteria. Changing food not only stresses the pet's body but can also lead to dysbiosis, as the existing specific bacteria may not adapt to the new food. To establish a microflora beneficial to the new diet, It is recommended to give your pet probiotics during the transition to a new food.
3. If, while switching your dog to dry food, you notice a deterioration in its coat, lethargy and apathy, or an eating disorder or, conversely, constipation, the new food is likely not suitable. Look for an alternative. Dogs often have individual intolerances to certain ingredients in the food, so keep this in mind. Trying to force the animal's system to change in this case is not advisable, as it could have serious consequences. Simply find a different food option.
4. If you're planning to change your four-legged friend's diet, choose high-quality foods, always following recommendations for your pet's breed, weight, and age. It's also a good idea to consider your dog's health. For example, if your dog has a sensitive digestive system, it might be healthier to feed them dry food containing appropriate ingredients.

Should you force your dog to eat dry food?

In practice, it often turns out that changing a dog's diet isn't so simple. Most pets flat-out refuse dry food, preferring to starve rather than eat strange "crackers." So how do you get a dog to eat dry food?

Physical or psychological abuse of the dog in this situation is strictly prohibited. This will only worsen the situation and discourage the dog from eating the new food.

Choose dry food from several brands with intense aromas and flavors that are suitable for your pet and offer them a choice. For example, MINI EXIGENT dry food is suitable for small dogs (adult weight up to 10 kg) over 10 months old who are picky eaters. Try offering a handful of this food as a treat when your pet follows a command. Be patient but consistent, and you'll see results in no time. Your dog will become interested in the food, and it will soon become its sole food, replacing other foods.

Typical cases of translation

Depending on your dog's previous diet, there are some important considerations when introducing it to dry food. We'll explain them here.

Transition from natural nutrition

If you previously fed your pet natural food—porridge with meat and vegetables—and now decide to change the menu, follow these guidelines for transitioning your dog from natural to dry food:

• On the first day, it will be enough to let your pet sniff a little food, and if he shows interest in it, give him a treat.
• Avoid mixing dry food with porridge—although this will make it easier to transition your dog to the new diet. This combination of porridge and dry food can be very taxing on the digestive tract.
• Try to ensure that there are at least a few hours between feeding dry and natural food.
• Make sure your pet always has access to clean, fresh water in unlimited quantities, as once it starts eating dry food, it will drink more.

Transfer from wet food

If your dog previously ate only wet food—canned or pouched—then transitioning to dry food is generally the same as transitioning from a raw diet. Here are a few recommendations from us:

• To avoid gastrointestinal upset or allergies, try to choose food within the brand you have already used.
• Follow standard recommendations for gradually introducing dry food in proportion, gradually replacing wet food with it.
• Avoid mixing wet and dry food in the same feeding. If your pet has difficulty adjusting to dry food at first, you can soak it in water, broth, or fermented milk products to make it a softer consistency and more familiar to your dog.

Don't forget to have access to clean, fresh water.

Switching to another dry food

Now let's move on to the situation where it becomes necessary to replace one type of dry food with another in your dog's diet. Here, too, it's important to consider all the recommendations in the first section of our article. In addition, there are several recommendations that are recommended to be followed to minimize any potential problems your pet may experience with this change.

• It's highly recommended to maintain the same food grade as your pet. If the previous food was super-premium, the next one should be at least that grade.
• Also, avoid mixing different types of dry food in your dog's bowl. Separate the feedings and monitor your dog's reaction. If something unpredictable happens, such as an upset stomach, it will be difficult to determine the root cause. Experimenting with your dog's health is not the best method for transitioning to a new dry food.

Transitioning an adult dog to dry food

Changing a dog's diet during adolescence and adolescence is much easier for a pet than during adulthood. And you should be prepared for this. Transitioning an adult dog to dry food is a slightly more complex and time-consuming process, but it is still doable. So, be patient and be prepared to try several types of food before you successfully introduce your adult pet to the new one. Be sure to choose high-quality food appropriate for the age group, follow all the guidelines above, and you'll succeed.

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