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Discuss ways to improve the quality of your dog's life and longevity through proper nutrition and a place for all of your questions and answers about feeding your pooch! Don't furget to check out Dogster's Dog Care Guide Book for information about feeding your dog! Bone Appawtite!


Do I HAVE to switch food?

   
Sierra

Running- ridiculously- fast is my- favorite		 
 
Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 10:56am PST 
I'm wondering if it is necessary to switch Sierra's food. She has been on Natural UltraMix for two years now. We have tried so many foods in the past but her stomach is very sensitive so when we found that this worked, we stuck with it. She still eats it, her poops are firm, shiny coat and bright eyes, and sometimes she even asks for a second bowl (so I'm assuming she likes it). Also, we always supplement with the occasional raw egg or Dick VanPattens dog food rolls; so she does get variety.

I am asking because two years is a long time to be on one food but I'm hesitant to switch since we have found something that works. At the same time I don't want to be doing a disservice to her health. (P.S. I would LOVE to do raw but I'll be honest, I'm lazy and a vegetarian, not too motivated to go that route, unless she needed it)

Does anyone know if it is a bad thing for her to have been on the same food for a number of years and continuing on it?

Thanks!!

Edited by author Fri Jul 3, '09 11:09am PST

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Gwydion

Boxer Gentleman
 
 
Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 11:30am PST 
Nope, many dogs stay on the same food for their entire lives. With your stomach issues, you could go through many types of kibble, only to return to where you started. (its happened to several dogsters who were trying to get their pups on a better quality food) While switching out their foods (also known as rotation diet, with varied amounts of time between rotations) is considered to be better nutrient wise by many people, including us, with a dog that has a delicate digestive system its not always worth it.
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Daisy

Mommy's little- princess
 
 
Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 12:03pm PST 
I love the rotation diet but I do agree its not for every pup. If your stomach is as sensitive as you say it is and are lucky to have found a food that works and 2 years on without any problem Id stick with it. Id be to scared to try anything else. Daisy had a sensitive tummy to when she was just a pup now I rotate her foods for a few different reasons but because she was so young the vet says she probably out grew it.
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Lady

968249		 
 
Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 4:48pm PST 
Sounds like your dog is doing fine on what you're feeding so I wouldn't change in your case. Also, you are giving some variety so I wouldn't be concerned about the diet. If it's not broke, don't fix it.
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Zoie

45 Mile Per Hour- Couch Potato
 
 
Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 6:42pm PST 
I agree with all the responses. You do not need to switch foods as long as you are having no problems with your present food. It is hard to find food for dogs with sensitive stomachs. No sense upsetting the dogs digestive system when it is working well. I add string beans and yogart to Zoie's diet along with her kibble which gives her a little taste treat.
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Addy, CGC

Let's go for a- walk!		 
 
Barked: Fri Jul 3, '09 7:38pm PST 
I'm a great believer in rotation--but there's no nutrition in what your dog can't keep down reliably. I have abandoned rotation of the cats' diet for the duration of my elder kitty's life, because, like your pup, she can't take it.

If change causes her problems, stick with what works. Rotation is only better nutrition if it's working for your pet.
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Sierra

Running- ridiculously- fast is my- favorite		 
 
Barked: Sat Jul 4, '09 12:07pm PST 
Thank you all so much for your responses. I'm glad to know that I'm not doing anything wrong by not doing anything. I'll stop feeling guilty about not switching! With Sierra we always say if her tummy is happy, she is happy. So we'll just keep on keepin on
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Daddy

youtube.com/user- /DaddysSpace		 
 
Barked: Sat Jul 4, '09 1:53pm PST 
It's not the ultimate food out there, but it's still a lot better than many pet foods on the market, and if it works for your girl with a sensitive stomach, I say stick with it; if you've tried many others and they've failed, don't mess with success wink.
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