Benefits Of Putting Your Dog on a Rotation Diet

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Have you ever been in a situation where you have had to have the same meal every day of the year? What if you had to eat the same meal your whole life? Technically, this is what most of us end up doing to our pets – pick out a brand and stick with it. And while a consistent diet is not unhealthy, most veterinary nutritionists recommend rotation feeding as an alternative.

Essentially, rotation feeding is about variety. It is a holistic nutritional philosophy that offers a dietary alternative to your pet – varying both the proteins and the food forms. This way, your dog gets to enjoy different textures and flavors.

Proponents of rotation diets boast about the health and the behavioral benefits, but here are a few immediately observable benefits that you might find interesting:

1. A more complete nutrient approach intake – Most of the pet foods that float around in the market are designed to be balanced and complete. Components like vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids and minerals can be found in varying quantities, depending on the type of food that you go for. All you have to do is combine specialized diets so that your pet can enjoy the aggregate benefits.
2. Create more mealtime excitement – The predatory instinct of dogs predisposes them to lose interest in some foods once they get accustomed to certain flavors, textures and brands. By switching to a rotation diet, your pet gets to go on a tasty adventure every time he goes to his food bowl.
3. Increase the amount of water they consume on a daily basis – Not all pets drink sufficient water daily. One way to fix this is to add a lot of high moisture food items to your pet’s diet. This will go a long way in preventing health problems, like liver disease, urinary issues and constipation.
4. Reduce the risk of intolerances and food allergies – If your dog is consistently fed the same food, he might develop an intolerance or allergy to common ingredients like beef, chicken, corn, wheat, or soy. Rotation feeding greatly reduces this risk since the formulations and ingredients are not a part of the diet long enough for your dog to develop adverse reactions, like diarrhea, vomiting and hives.

It is easier to start rotation feeding while your dog is still a pup. It is preferable if you blend small amounts of new food into your dog’s regular diet, giving him a chance to accustom himself to the taste and texture of the new food slowly. Make sure you consult a vet before you start rotation feeding. They can help you choose foods that are best suited for rotation and make sure that your dog gets a balanced diet.