Abacoa & Alton Neighbors December 2020

34 Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S | D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 0 Pets usually eat the same food for the majority of their existence, until recently. Many pet parents have evolved to feeding their pets; dogs in particular, in a way that more closely resembles their own eating habits (unless they’re vegetarian), offering an assortment of proteins and a “concoction” at meal time. This is called the orbital diet. It can mean anything from switching proteins within a food type, to interchanging kibble to raw in a one-day meal plan. Here are several benefits to an orbital diet: 1. Keep things interesting. We don’t want to eat the same thing for every meal day after day, dogs also appreciate variety. It encourages picky eaters with a change in the palate of flavors. It keeps pet parents more involved in pet’s routines with planning and investing into their health. We can stay open to new and exciting options. 2. Builds healthy digestive & immune systems. Food allergies and intolerance are alarmingly common in dogs, and eating one protein or one food day in and day out could be a contributing factor. By switching protein sources and formulas, it reduces the chance of allergy development, ensures that they’re receiving a wide array of essential nutrients and increases their tolerance to dietary changes. 3. Optimize diet options. With orbital feeding, the door is always open for improvement. You may want to introduce a novel protein, try out a different format or build your pup a custom bowl. How to get started? If you are interested in this revolutionary feeding, always start slowly. A good rule of thumb is to introduce the new food over a week or more, starting in 25% increments. For example, feed 25% of the new food and 75% of the old food for a few days, evaluate for any negative changes, then move on with 50% new and 50% old until the transition is complete. Not every dog can tolerate diet changes so proceed with caution, a little at a time goes a long way. To learn more about orbital, rotation or transitional diets, come over to Abacoa & Alton’s Neighborhood Pet Store, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, at the Abacoa Plaza, 5440 Military Trail Ste 7, Jupiter, Fl 33458 and look for the author, that’s me, Zou (pronounced Zu). PET CORNER The Orbital Diet By Zou Bouchard MPM MSFM MAB Pet Nutrition Specialist/ Owner Abacoa - Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming