How do you know when it’s time to switch up your pet’s food? This can be challenging for pet parents, and especially those who have pets with sophisticated palates. Here are 5 signs so you know when it is time to change your pet’s food to keep them in the best shape possible.

Dull Coat

A shiny coat is one indicator of your dog’s health. Diets rich in essential fatty acids
are a key component in keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy. When you see your dog’s
coat dull or flaky it means that there’s a lack of nutrients in their diet. This is a sign that
you should change your dog’s food. Pet Wants Salmon Meal & Brown Rice has the right amounts of fatty acids, like omega-3 and omega-6 that are both responsible for keeping your dog’s fur healthy and shiny.

Food and Environmental Intolerances and Sensitivities

If your dog starts to scratch and itch, it might be an indication of an intolerance or sensitivity.
Sometimes, your dog may be itching because of dry skin. Intolerances & sensitivities are
common in dogs, and food is just one of several causes of it. Give your dog Pet Wants 100%
Complete and Balanced nutrition to make sure they are getting enough nutrients they need to
have healthy skin. If a food intolerance or sensitivities are the culprit, you’ll want to cut out any table scraps, people food and treats to reduce the amount of variables in your pet’s diet while you’re trying
to identify the allergen. When dogs have intolerances or sensitivities, the vast majority of the time, the culprit is the protein source. Switching the protein source can often alleviate the intolerances or sensitivities. It could take some time to figure out if your pet has an intolerance or sensitivity to their food. It takes six to twelve weeks to be able to say if the diet was the culprit or not. It takes a while for
the allergen to get out of the animal’s system.

Weight Issues

According to Pet Obesity Prevention, 44% of dog parents think their dog is obese, and 45% of cat parents think their cat is obese. It’s not always easy to tell if your pet could afford to lose a few pounds, but there are some other signs that can tip you off. One crucial factor is the waist. You should be able to feel your pet’s ribs through its coat, and when you look down at them, they should have an hourglass shape. For overweight pets, you’ll want to switch them to Pet Wants Less Active Formula with the proper protein-to-fat ratio. Make sure you’re eliminating table scraps and high-calorie treats. It’s important to figure out what your pet’s ideal weight is as you’re helping them to lose pounds. Food isn’t the only factor that can impact your pet’s weight. Pet Wants stresses the importance of exercise in keeping your pet healthy. For cats, just 10 minutes of indoor play each day can make a difference. For dogs, know that letting them out in the back to do their business is not enough. You’ll have to exercise with your dog regularly to really get them moving.

GI Disturbances

Chronic flatulence, loose stool, or rumbly stomachs can be the result of food intolerance or the low
quality of food you may not even realize you’re feeding your pet. Some pets simply don’t tolerate certain diets or ingredients as well as others. GI upset is an inconvenience to owners as well as being
uncomfortable for your pet. If this is an ongoing problem for you, ask your Pet Wants Nutrition
Consultant to diagnose the problem. The solution may be as easy as switching to a Pet Wants
premium dog food or a sensitive stomach diet that’s right for your pet.

Senior Pets

Depending on the size of the animal, pets are considered middle-aged to senior around 5-7 years old. As our pets age, their nutrient requirements change. Pet Wants Senior Formula, for example, is
lower in calories, higher in protein and higher in fiber, and has supplements specific to this life stage
such as joint support and antioxidants.

If you’re interested in shopping Pet Wants fresh food formulas, you can find your local Pet Wants here.