[terryjeanne]

Dogs must get tired of eating the same thing day in and day out.
I've kept the same brand but changed to chicken flavour but do you ever
change brands over the years or tend to buy the same brand all the time?

I'll give her extra treats like yogurt, some of my (unseasoned)scrambled egg, a bit of peanut butter on toast crust.

I tried the pumpkin, but surprisingly she didn't like it.

With my previous dog, I think I only changed brands 3 or 4 times in eight years.

[SSpiro]

I try to change flavors two times a year (every 6 months) and brands yearly.

You're right - imagine having to eat the same thing EVERY day!

You don't want to change TOO often; and you don't want to never change. Changing helps with allergies (discovering or solving).. in addition to quality of life for your pet.

[lovemygreys]

We don't change brands unless we have a reason to (i.e. find a food we prefer to feed them). They all enthusiastically eat. They get a variety of RMBs as treats.

[SSpiro]

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/changing_foods.htm

• Dogs (actually all mammals) are designed to consume a range of different foods, and to obtain differing vitamins and minerals from each. They are not designed to eat “only chicken” or “only lamb” or any other food item for eternity. Changing foods, importantly the contents of those foods, every so often helps to give them the variety their bodies were designed to thrive on.

• There is no one dog food in existence that “has it all”. And remember, the feeding trials that foods go through only last for six months (and not all foods are even trialled). Changing foods periodically helps to ensure that no dietary deficiencies or excesses build up over time.

• Variety is the spice of life. Who wants to eat the same food day in and day out? Could you do it? For months or years? Feeding your dog something different helps to ensure that he does not become bored and frustrated with his food. This will not make your dog picky - we are talking about periodic changes here, not serving up something different or adding goodies to tempt him every time he doesn’t like his dinner.

And most importantly of all:

• _ It helps to avoid the development of allergies. In a few extreme cases, you (or your dog) may be instantly and violently allergic to something. But that is a few extreme cases only - the vast majority of allergies are things that build up over time and with constant exposure. The surest way to develop an allergy to chicken, for example, is to consume it daily for an extended period. It is no coincidence that the most common allergens are things that have commonly been used in dog foods for many years. The (modern) advice given by nutritionists is that feeding a wide variety of different foods, preferably from a young age, can help to avoid the development of allergies in the first place (that's the advice given for humans too).

Common signs of allergies are itchy skin, red itchy paws, chewing paws, yeast infections, ear infections, and skin infections that may respond to antibiotics but reappear as soon as the antibiotics are discontinued.

That all adds up to changing the food you feed every once in a while. That means changing to a food with different main ingredients. There is very little benefit to switching from one chicken/rice food to another, for example. If you have been feeding a food with chicken as the main ingredient, then it is far better that the next food is based on lamb, or turkey, or fish, or beef, etc and that the other main ingredients are also varied.

[lovemygreys]

Greyhounds are prone to GI upset with food change. Guess it helps to know your breed.

[SSpiro]

All dogs are prone; it's a gradual process.

One can't just switch 100% overnight..

[lovemygreys]

Originally Posted by SSpiro

All dogs are prone; it's a gradual process.

One can't just switch 100% overnight..

Greyhounds can be particularly sensitive. I know how to feed a dog and how to change kibble

I don't buy into the "must change dog food" theory - if you are feeding a quality food. Regardless of how many links you post. Our dogs are happy and healthy on their current diet. With our seniors reaching 13-15 years of age when they pass, I'd say we're doing something right. With greyhounds and food, if it ain't broke, don't fix it is the best rule of thumb in my book. But that's just MY opinion. You are free to have yours

[all4thedogs]

I stay with the same brand, but switch "flavors" each bag. No GI upset here at all. They seem to really enjoy the change in flavors and eat with gusto. My GSD gets tired of a food quickly so this helps keep weight on him

[Inga]

Actually my dogs switch fairly easily between 3-4 brands of Dog food that I rotate through. They are all premium quality foods and it does not seem to bother their stomaches at all. They seem to like the change. It is possible that they don't care but I guess I like the idea of giving them a little variety.

[SSpiro]

Originally Posted by lovemygreys

I know how to feed a dog and how to change kibble

Not implying you don't. No need to be defensive.

I personally feel that switching foods is very important - but as you said, we are all entitled to our own opinions.