Changing Food

HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR PETS FOOD?

This FAQ may help ease the change.

Many times, circumstances beyond the pet owners control will necessitate changing the type of pet feed your critter has been getting. This can be caused by the sudden inavailability of the previous food type due to company closure, relocation, pets health failure, or a myriad of other reasons. In some cases, the pet may instantly adapt to the new food type. If this is the case, you are very lucky and no further intervention is needed. For others, however, this transition may not be quite so easy to accomplish.

As you may know, many pets are finicky eaters. Their age and present diet can determine how easily they'll make the transition to a new diet. A younger pet, recently weaned from it's mother, is easier to change than an older pet (although many older pets do adapt very quickly). Also, an older pet that is used to a lot of treats and goodies will be more difficult to switch.

In our tests, 85% or more of the pets tested, meaning  switched to Brisky Diets, made the transition immediately to new feed. The remainder did well after a week or so. These tests also showed that in most cases, these same animals ate less than they did previously. This was due to the animals body system telling them that their nutritional needs were met.

Animals are usually not over-eaters by nature. When animals do become obese, it is usually due to being fed an improper diet by well meaning pet owners. The overall health of a pet depends on several factors. A good diet, plenty of fresh water, dry and clean bedding, a sufficient sized area to live in, plenty of exercise, and a clean cage, are all necessary ingredients. Last but not least, of course, is a loving home that offers plenty of attention.

Here are several tips or methods that will help ease the transition to a new type of food.

1) COLD TURKEY - This is very simple. Take away the old type food and provide only the new type.

2) MIX-N-MATCH - Mix about 50% of new type with 50% previous type food.

3) 10 / 10 METHOD - (Day 1 - 10% new type, 90% old). (Day 2 - 20% new type, 80% old). (Day 3 - 30% new type, 70% old type). (Day 4 - 40% new type, 60% old type). (Day 5 - 50% new type, 50% old type). (Day 6 - 60% new type, 40% old type). (Day 7 - 70% new type, 30% old type). (Day 8 - 80% new type, 20% old type). (Day 9 - 90% new type, 10% old type). ( Day 10 - will be 100% of the new type food).

4) STARVATION - This is not as cruel as it sounds. For a day or two (tops), no food of any kind is offered. The animal will get hungry and readily make the transition to the new type feed. There has never been a known case of an animal starving itself to death or sickness, if food was available.

5) WAIT AND SEE - An otherwise healthy animal will not starve itself to death. Simply place the new feed type in his feed dish and wait it out. It may take several days, but the animal will eventually start eating the new type feed.

6) APPETITE STIMULANT - Sprinkle a top dressing of some kind on the new type food to initially gain the pets attention. This alone may help the animal make the transition to the new type feed.

OR YOU CAN TRY THIS.....

In case the pet is associating its' old food with its' old food dish, get a new food dish and put it in a different location in the cage. If, after the first day, the animal still isn't eating the new type feed, you can try to add about 1/2 teaspoon of honey or molasses to the new feed, or sprinkle a pinch of garlic powder over it.

LASTLY...

These tips and methods may help you get your critter back eating again after changing his or her food type. Refusal to eat after a few day may require the advice of a small mammal veterinarian. Remember, your critter depends on you for love and for his well-being. He will provide you with countless hours of love and enjoyment. Be sure to meet your part of the bargain!