Rotational Diet Plan for Dogs and Cats
Would you want to eat the same food day after day, month after month, year after year? Of course not and neither does your pet! With conventional feeding plans, the same food is served at each meal without variation. A rotational diet plan for dogs and cats involves varying the protein source of the food on a daily, weekly or monthly basis or whatever schedule works for you.
We are going to explore some facts, benefits and drawbacks to a rotational diet to help you formulate the best nutritional strategy for your pet. But first, let’s examine what a rotation diet is.
What is a Rotational Diet Plan for Dogs and Cats?
There are three categories of protein choices, each with unique benefits. Within each category, there are many options from which to choose.
Fish – High in immune boosting omegas. Examples include salmon, sardine, tuna, whitefish and prawns.
Meat – Loaded with iron and protein. Examples include beef, lamb, venison, pork and rabbit.
Poultry – A lean source of protein. Examples include chicken, duck, quail, pheasant and turkey.
Facts:
- Every protein source has different nutrients and nutritional values. Each also has a different taste and aroma and benefit to your pet.
- The part of your pet’s brain that is devoted to analyzing smells is forty times greater than ours. They also possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose, compared to about 6 million in humans. Scent matters!
- Whether you feed kibble, canned, raw, freeze dried, home-cooked or a combination of the above, alternating protein sources is the key to an optimally balanced diet for your pet.
Drawbacks:
- Some pets with digestive sensitivities or allergies are not candidates for rotational diets.
- Gastrointestinal upset, although infrequent with most pets, can occur. One or two days of loose stools should not be a concern, given the overall benefits.
- You must remember what you bought last time! You can keep a log, but your local independent pet store should be able to help you with that. Many of our customers walk in and ask “What did I buy last time? I want something different.” Goodness for Pets is happy to provide that service.
Benefits of a Rotational Diet:
- When you feed a rotational diet plan for dogs and cats, your pet is getting a wide array of essential nutrients and increasing their tolerance to dietary changes. It can also decrease fussy eating.
- Switching protein types will help your pet better absorb nutrients.
- Feeding a variety of protein choices can help keep your pet’s digestive system healthy and alert. Their bodies must work in different ways to break each different protein down.
How to Introduce Variety
- When in doubt, change gradually. If your pet tends to be more sensitive to dietary changes, do a gradual transition.
- In most cases, adding half new to half of the previous protein is sufficient. If there is going to be digestive upset, you will see it within 24 hours. Adjust as necessary.
There are various benefits to varying your pet’s protein sources. We believe in keeping it as simple as possible for the pet owner! Whether you feed canned, dry, raw or homecooked, simply buy a different protein each time. We can help! In-store nutritional consultations are completely complimentary. The team at Goodness for Pets has a combined total of 30+ years of pet nutrition experience. Remember – variety is a virtue!