What to Do When Your Cat/Dog’s Favorite Food is Out 

Don’t be afraid to switch your cat or dog’s food! Unless they have a serious health condition (i.e., a protein allergy), it can be incredibly beneficial to their health and helps them thrive. 

DOGS 

Dogs tend to be less picky than cats when it comes to food. Transitioning them to another food can be a bit easier. However, these days, a lot more dogs are having more and more health issues. Because of these health issues, a lot of dog companies are competing to be the best and most well-rounded when it comes to their food selection. Here at Healthy Pet Products we are usually able to help you find a food for your dog that they like and that works for you. 

More often than not, we are able to find a food with similar ingredients, if not better. During this time of transitioning, you can really focus on finding a new/better food as well as learning more about your dog’s nutrition. 

If you’re dealing with a picky eater, we also have a lot of great supplements and tips & tricks to help make your life a little bit easier when feeding your dog. 

Many dog food brands carry freeze dried and canned versions of their food. Therefore, while you wait for your original dog food, introducing your dog to a food that is less processed (healthier), but still similar to the previous formula you are using, is helpful as well. 

CATS 

Almost all of the time, cats imprint on certain shapes (kibble) and textures (pates, stews, shredded, etc.). It is highly important to know what this shape and/or texture is when you’re looking for something to feed your cat while waiting for the food they’re used to. Some kibble shapes are circular, triangular, rectangular, etc., so matching the shape is half the battle. Knowing the protein your cat gravitates to is helpful. We are often able to find similar food that is comparable to what you are already feeding. 

Transitioning to a higher quality food may be in your favor! A lot of the time high quality kibbles and canned foods are less processed, making them more palatable for your cat. 

Rotating your cat’s food as often as possible to prevent picky eating and fixating on just one type of food is beneficial health wise and eases stress if the company cannot supply stores with your cat’s specific food anymore. 

Sometimes if you tap the part of your cat between the nose and upper lip, it will heighten their sense of taste and smell. 

BOTH 

Supplements like goat’s milk and fish stock are great nutritional resources for cats and dogs. If you can start your pet on these items sooner rather than later, they will help hold them over during transitioning or finding something new. Goat’s milk and fish stock have a lot of nutritional benefits, so if they will consume either of these, they will get moisture and some protein to help keep them healthy during this time. Goat’s milk is complete and balanced, so dogs and cats can actually live off just goat’s milk alone (fish stock is not complete and balanced). 

Adding prebiotics and digestive enzymes are also beneficial to your pet. 

A lot of cart and dog food kibbles, cans, and raw are built on a rotational line. This makes it easier to transition your animal from protein to protein. Not only does this fill nutritional gaps, boost the digestive tract, and help with pickiness, but it also better prepares you for when your pet’s favorite flavor or protein goes out of stock! 

If you are transitioning to a new food, mixing the old food with some of the new will help with palatability and digestibility. 

It might be helpful to you to build the habit of buying food before you are out during these uncertain times. We cannot guarantee having specific brands or proteins in stock in our stores while manufacturers get caught up with supply orders. This gives you some wiggle room and flexibility. 

If there is a particular food we believe in that helps with your pet’s specific needs (such as a limited ingredient diet), we can also try to special order it if we do not carry it in the store. We are open to new foods and ideas that fit into our brand and mission statement to help your pets thrive! 

Watch our youtube videos for more information! Dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3TqV98h0CU&t=29s Cat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWh38BfCBSI