Imagine eating the same cereal day in and day out … for the rest of your life. Sounds pretty boring, right? Not only does a diet full of variety keep our taste buds intrigued, but it also broadens the spectrum of nutrients we absorb.
Now let’s go back to that idea of eating the same cereal every day. If you think about it, that’s how most pet parents feed their fur kids. Oftentimes, people select a puppy-formula kibble and don’t change it until they graduate to the adult version of that same kibble. Then, fast forward several more years, and it’s back to the pet store to get the senior version of that food.
Here’s the thing … Just like we enjoy an array of food options, so do our canine companions. Enter: Rotational feeding.
Rotational Feeding
As the name implies, rotational feeding is all about filling your pup’s food menu with a variety of options. Rotational feeders switch up doggy meals either monthly, weekly, or even daily!
- Monthly: If you’re a kibble feeder, try swapping protein sources/formulas when you buy new bags. Maybe you alternate between Turkey & Sweet Potato, Chicken & Rice, Beef & Barley. Or maybe it’s Duck & Kale and Fish & Quinoa. (You get the point.) Of course, to avoid any tummy trouble, make this change gradually over a few days … just like the particular brand recommends.
- Weekly: I personally began implementing rotational feeding once I ditched kibble and switched to a fresh food diet. Every four days, my little Diego and Gigi chow down on a different protein source. I alternate between turkey, pork, chicken, and beef. If you’ve read my article on the benefits of fresh food then you may already know I feed my pups The Farmer’s Dog. Each of their protein options offers a variety of additions. For example, the turkey has carrots and spinach, the beef features kale and sunflower seeds, and the chicken is loaded with Brussels sprouts. Since we switch foods so regularly, they never experience tummy trouble.
- Daily: For the pet parents who home-cook or assemble their own raw meals, it’s super easy to switch up each and every meal. To help keep costs down, some pet parents will even feed a bowl of higher-end kibble (like Open Farm) in the morning and a fresh meal in the evening.
All in all, it’s a pretty simple concept and looks different for different people. The goal is simple to get variety in their bowl!
Benefits of Rotational Feeding
A More Complete Approach to Nutrition
If you ate plain oatmeal in the morning, a robust salad for lunch, and a piece of chicken breast with a side of steamed veggies for dinner every single day, you would technically be eating a balanced diet. But, could you increase your nutritional profile by switching things up? Some eggs for breakfast? Tuna sandwich at lunch? Salmon at dinner? The answer: Of course! Dog food is meant to be “complete and balanced,” per AAFCO standards. The thing is: AAFCO standards aren’t perfect … and the bar is set pretty low. Changing up your pup’s protein source and veggie blend will help round out your dog’s nutritional intake.
Reduce Risk of Food Allergies/Intolerances
According to many veterinarians and dog health experts, food allergies and intolerances in dogs can be linked to repeated, continued, long-term exposure to the same protein source. So, if your pup only eats chicken, over time, his body may develop a negative immune reaction to chicken. (Or beef, fish, etc). By rotating protein sources, it’s believed the ingredient isn’t in your pup’s system long enough for him to develop an adverse reaction.
Creates Excitement During Mealtime
To bring this article full circle, eating a variety of foods and flavors is more exciting! Picky pooch? This type of eating may help get your fur baby more excited for mealtime.
