Rotational Feeding is one of our favorite topics in dog and cat nutrition. We're here to help your dog or cat with their allergies, joint pain, nutritional gains, and more! Read on to find out why rotational feeding is key in keeping your pet "on track" nutritionally.
Rotational feeding is the action of switching or rotating proteins within the same brand of food, rotating types of food, or even rotating brands of food. Why rotate your pet's food?
Here's a quick overview of some of the benefits:
- Builds healthy gut and immune system.
- Reduces sensitivity to food allergies.
- Keeps meals interesting.
- Helps with affordability as needed.
- Helps avoid sourcing issues: if one protein or brand is unavailable, rotating to a different protein or brand is an option.
Let's dig into the details!
Amino Acids
Rotating proteins, specifically, is essential in achieving an overall balanced diet and providing dogs and cats the essential amino acids they need to be healthy! Dogs and cats require 22 amino acids in their diet to thrive! Dogs manufacture 12 of them on their own, while cats only manufacture 11. They rely on animal protein to acquire the amino acids they cannot manufacture. Different proteins provide different amino acids, as well as different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Rotating proteins is a surefire method to ensure we're including all of the required amino acids to allow our pets to thrive!
Healthy Gut & Immune System
Rotating proteins and brands or serving a combination of food types also helps to improve and strengthen dogs' and cats' gut health! When we can get and keep the gut healthy, we can keep the animal healthy. Providing a consistently diverse diet with lots of variety strengthens the gut and promotes dietary diversity. Remember: Healthy guts = Strong immune systems
Rotating proteins and brands or serving a combination of food types also helps to improve and strengthen dogs' and cats' gut health! When we can get and keep the gut healthy, we can keep the animal healthy. Providing a consistently diverse diet with lots of variety strengthens the gut and promotes dietary diversity. Remember: Healthy guts = Strong immune systems
Reducing Sensitivity to Food Allergies
If your pet struggles with food sensitivities and allergies, rotating proteins will be a lifesaver! If a pet food manufacturer changes their recipe or ingredient sourcing quickly, it can cause major issues if your pet is already food sensitive. Having a "backup option" is great, but even better is to have multiple foods they can easily digest already in their nutritional lineup! This also helps your pet get "what they need, when they need it!" Seasonally, some pets perform better on one protein, while during other seasons (the cold, Nebraska winters, for example!), another protein suits them better.
Keeping It Interesting
Rotating proteins not only benefits our furry guys regarding getting sufficient amino acids, it also helps prevent food fatigue. Food fatigue occurs when we eat the same thing over and over and over again. Sounds pretty boring, doesn't it?
Rotating proteins not only benefits our furry guys regarding getting sufficient amino acids, it also helps prevent food fatigue. Food fatigue occurs when we eat the same thing over and over and over again. Sounds pretty boring, doesn't it?
Affordability & Sourcing: Rotational Feeding avoids sourcing issues out of your control.
- With global supply chain issues abounding since the occurrence of COVID, rotating proteins and/or brands is a fabulous option to avoid "issues".
- Manufacturers might change the sourcing for that protein or ingredient - what worked before all of a sudden bothers their tummy.
- We always work to keep you in the loop, but if a change happens, will your pet feel sick to their tummy overnight?
- Rotational feeding helps avoid these issues, as their systems are already used to eating more than one type of food.
- If a specific food jumps in price overnight, you'll have the flexibility to adjust your feeding routine without issues.
Starting to Rotate
Many folks may say, "Hold on a second! THEY GET AN UPSET TUMMY whenever I change their food!" This could be because we've been feeding the same food for a long time. If you and I ate nothing but chicken and broccoli for the next six months, then on the seventh month, we sat down to eat steak and potatoes - it wouldn't feel good and likely cause "gastrointestinal issues!" It'd hurt because our bodies have become accustomed to processing only chicken and broccoli; we've essentially weakened the strength of our gut. The same thing happens to the furry guys when they eat the same thing day in and day out for extended periods.
Many folks may say, "Hold on a second! THEY GET AN UPSET TUMMY whenever I change their food!" This could be because we've been feeding the same food for a long time. If you and I ate nothing but chicken and broccoli for the next six months, then on the seventh month, we sat down to eat steak and potatoes - it wouldn't feel good and likely cause "gastrointestinal issues!" It'd hurt because our bodies have become accustomed to processing only chicken and broccoli; we've essentially weakened the strength of our gut. The same thing happens to the furry guys when they eat the same thing day in and day out for extended periods.
How Often?
How often should you rotate your pets' food? Once your furry friend's used to their new food option, you can rotate or combine proteins with every meal! Suppose your furry family is used to only one protein. In that case, you can start gradually introducing different proteins, and over time, they'll be able to process a different protein every meal - and every day! Gradually usually makes up about 25% of the entire bowl. Typically you could replace 25% of your pet's meal with a different protein or a fresh option. You'll ensure there's no upset tummy, and you can gradually increase the new food each day.
Rotating proteins, brands, supplements, and fresh options that create a diverse buffet in their bowl is the best way to ensure a healthy, happy, strong gut - for life! So next time you're shopping for your fur family, grab a variety of protein options to introduce a diverse diet gradually. You can do it, "we've got your back!" ??
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