Rotating Proteins, Foods, And Their Benefits For Your Pet!
Posted by Maddison Brooks, Assistant Pack Leader - Ridgefield on May 20th 2021
Hello fur parents! Today we are going to talk about different ways to feed and rotate foods and proteins. This is something the team at Woodin’ You is very passionate about, and I have even seen a huge difference in my own dog by applying these simple changes to her diet. So let’s get into it and break down why we like to rotate different foods!
Some major reasons it is beneficial to add more variety of proteins are;
- Feeding just one protein a pet’s entire life can make them more prone to allergies/intolerance for that protein.
- It is impossible for animals to get all the nutrients they need from one type of protein.
- More protein variety means more essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
- Adding different proteins can also help keep things fun and exciting by adding different tastes/textures.
People assume the reason for rotating foods and proteins in your pet’s diet is to appease their pickiness. While this is somewhat true, there are a variety of other reasons why it can be beneficial for the pet.
It is impossible for one protein to give your cat or dog all of the essential amino acids and vitamins/minerals they need. Rotating in even one or two different proteins can make a huge difference in the health and wellbeing of your furry friend. If you have been feeding a food that is made up primarily of Chicken, once your bag is finished, try grabbing Beef the next time! This can also provide pets with different tastes and textures to keep things fun and exciting.
If a pet has been eating one singular type of food for an extended period of time, they can actually develop an intolerance for that food. For example, a dog eating nothing but Pork their whole lives could develop an intolerance or even an allergy to Pork. Sometimes this behavior can be confused with ‘pickiness’. If you notice your pet is starting to have a reaction to their food, (such as yeast issues, digestion issues, refusal to eat foods) try slowly switching them over to a new protein, and over time, adding more and more varieties of foods. Your pet will thank you!
Aside from all the amazing health benefits this method can offer, it is also great for pets who tend to be more on the picky side. My dog, Zora, was a nightmare to feed. She just wasn’t interested in the same food every single day. I mean, who would be right? I don’t eat Mac n’ Cheese every day, do I? With her being only 1 and a half years old and her being my first dog, I was totally at a loss of what to do. That’s where my journey began. I spent so many hours of research on her breed, foods, supplements and so much more. Once I started rotating her food, I noticed a HUGE change in her behavior. Before, she had sometimes gone days without eating a full, proper meal. She would be very down, depressed and just not as energetic. I noticed her behavior changes after feeding certain animal proteins as well, and I suspected an intolerance was forming. When I started switching her meals, she became a whole new dog. She was back to her puppy-like self. An energetic, happy go lucky girl. She has always been a healthy dog on paper, but I could tell that she was lacking something. Such a simple change meant the whole world to her. In my pet nutrition career, I have seen this exact same thing happen so many times with so many different types of pets.
That is why the team over here at Woodin’ You is so passionate about offering a variety to your pet. We have seen firsthand the amazing benefits it can offer and what a difference it truly makes! Stop in and try a new food today!
Want to try some of Zora's favorite proteins and brands? Follow the links below to build your perfect bowl!