FAQ: Food for dogs

A sudden change often causes diarrhoea, vomiting or wind, because the gut flora has no time to adapt. An abrupt switch is only needed if the food has spoiled, been recalled or a vet says so.

Go back to the ratio at which the stools were normal and continue more slowly. If the diarrhoea is severe, lasts longer than a day or there is blood in the stool, see a vet.

It is recommended, because even foods from the same maker can differ in protein sources and fat content. For dogs with sensitive digestion a gradual switch is essential, while for others a few days is often enough.

Rotational feeding means regularly alternating between several complete foods or protein sources, for example every few months. Some owners do it for variety, but it doesn't suit allergic dogs or those with sensitive digestion.

Mix the new food with the old in a smaller proportion, warm wet food or add warm water so it smells stronger. Don't leave the bowl out all day: take it away after 15–20 minutes and offer food again at the next meal.

Dogs often learn that refusing their food gets them something tastier. Limit treats and human food, keep to mealtimes and don't leave the bowl out for long; if the dog eats nothing for more than a day, see a vet.

Causes can include stress, heat, being in season, a changed or spoiled batch of food, but also tooth pain or illness. Check that the food is fresh, and if the dog doesn't eat for more than a day or has other symptoms, see a vet.

Gently warming wet food, adding warm water or unsalted broth to dry food, or mixing in a spoonful of wet food helps. Count such extras in the daily allowance and don't change the food itself every few days, or the dog will learn to wait for something new.

It is often learned behaviour: the dog notices that being hand-fed brings more attention. Gradually move the food back into the bowl, put it in a quiet spot and don't let the dog wait for you to hand-feed it.

Keep the food in a cool, dry place out of the sun, away from radiators and damp, for example not in a damp cellar or on a balcony. Close the bag tightly after every use so air, moisture and pests can't get in.

It is best to keep the food in its original bag placed inside an airtight container: the bag has a grease-proof lining and carries the batch number and best-before date. Poured straight into a container, the fats settle on the walls and can go rancid.

Opened dry food is best used within about 4–6 weeks, before the fats go rancid and the vitamins decline. That is why the biggest bag isn't always worth it for a small dog.

Spoiled food may smell of rancid oil, change colour, be damp, mouldy or have pests in it. Don't feed it to your dog and throw it away, even if the best-before date hasn't passed.

Dry food can be frozen in small, airtight portions if you won't use it within a few weeks; keep it dry after thawing so no condensation forms. Wet food or raw meat can also be frozen according to the maker's instructions.

The ‘best before’ date shows until when an unopened, properly stored pack keeps its stated properties. Once opened, the food has to be used sooner, regardless of the date on the pack.

It isn't recommended: after the date, vitamin levels may drop, fats may go rancid and the maker no longer guarantees the quality. When stocking up, choose packs with a later date and use the oldest first.

Yes, flour moths, beetles or storage mites can get into a poorly closed bag. Keep the food sealed, don't pour new food on top of old leftovers and wash the container regularly.

Wash and dry the container thoroughly every time a bag runs out, before putting in a new one. This removes fat residue and crumbs that can go rancid and spoil the fresh food.

Heat speeds up fats going rancid, so in summer keep the food in the coolest part of the house, not by a window or in the car. On hot days throw away wet food leftovers sooner, as they spoil quickly in the bowl.

A small dog eats little each day, so a big bag can last several months and lose its freshness. It is often wiser to choose a smaller pack you will use within about a month, even if the price per kilogram is slightly higher.