If you are changing to Flint River Ranch food from another brand, please remember that food changes can upset a pet's digestive system. You should make the change gradually over 5-7 days by mixing the FRR food with the brand previously used. Start with a mixture of 10% - 15% FRR food, then increase the percentage of FRR food by 10% - 15% each day until the transition is complete. Without the gradual transition from the other brand to richer FRR food, pets may get upset stomachs and diarrhea. Don't try to speed the process by mixing a bag of each food together for a 50/50 mix and starting your pet on that. You and your pet may both be dissatisfied with the results.
Feed your dog twice a day. Have plenty of fresh water available. Clean food and water bowls daily. Food requirements vary depending on climate, breed of dog and exercise activity. Feed an amount that will maintain your dog's weight. For suggested daily feeding amounts, select a specific dog food on the left side of this page.
PUPPIES: It's best to get your puppy on a regular feeding schedule right away. As a general rule you should feed three times a day until the puppy is 3 months old; measure the amount that you feed and feed as much as your puppy will eat in 20 minutes. After 3 months, your puppy should be fed twice a day; the amount that you feed daily should be the same as he/she was eating daily during the first 3 months and then gradually adjusted to maintain optimal body weight.
Optimal body weight means the ribs can be felt and almost seen and there is a prominent waistline. It is even more important not to overfeed large breed dogs; they are prone to skeletal problems if they grow too quickly due to the excess of certain nutrients.
OVERWEIGHT PETS: Humans and pets both have to push away from the table. We find many pet owners that have switched to Flint River Ranch products are still feeding the amount of food they formally fed. With concentrated Flint River Ranch super premium foods, it is best to feed at least 25% less. Pets, like humans, require a little time for the stomach to adjust and to reduce their food intake to the proper amount. During this period of reducing the amount fed to a dog, add lightly cooked vegetables of all types - carrots, rice, broccoli, potatoes, celery, green beans and pasta. This is great for your dog's health.
Keep in mind, a dog that eating foods that are low in protein and fat will sometimes eat more than they should in order to satisfy their taste buds. Improper feeding is the greatest cause of a pet being overweight (along with those extra treats from the dinner table), not the protein content or quality of the food.
SOFT STOOL: Premium food is very rich and has little in the way of useless fillers. During a change to a premium food, some pets may have a softer stool. A premium food will start cleaning the pet's digestive tract rather than just passing though the system. In time you will have a firmer, much smaller stool for easy clean-up. Adding cooked white rice (not instant) or vegetables to the food until the dog's system adjusts will add fiber to the diet which will firm the stool and also make the dog feel more full.
COMPARE - WITH THE "BLOAT" TEST: In one bowl place 1/4 cup Flint River oven-baked dog food. In a second bowl place an equal amount of any other dog food. Add warm water to cover and shake. Keep the food covered by adding water as needed. At the end of the day you will find that the Flint River Ranch food has broken down and has not expanded. Depending upon the brand of the second food, it may have expanded in bulk 2 to 3 times the original size. Many professionals believe food that expands can cause a serious bloat problem in your dog's stomach.
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