You have your reason for either wanting or needing to change pet foods for your dog. Maybe they’ve entered a new stage of life and no longer require puppy food or maybe you’ve noticed that your dog has had an upset stomach after eating their current food. Whatever your reason, transitioning your dog from one food to another can seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. But don’t worry! That’s why we’re here to show you the ins and outs of switching dog foods.

Mixing Food 101

Before you dive in, it’s important to consider the best practices when changing your pet’s food. Going cold turkey may work for some things, but chances are that it won’t make switching your dog’s food a success. A gradual change over the course of 10 days is the most successful route to go and is recommended by professionals as the healthiest option for your pet.

There are a few reasons that making a gradual change is the best route to go. It’s easier on your dog’s stomach to introduce the food to them in small intervals and is less likely to upset their stomach. If your dog is a picky eater then swapping out the food bit-by-bit allows their system to be slowly introduced to the new food and phase out the previous taste that they’d been accustomed to. They may not even notice at all!

Bowl Ratios

When determining how much food to give your dog each day during this 10 day period, there are a few factors that are involved. Age, gender, breed, activity level, and how much you’re currently feeding your pet are all things that are considered. After all, every pet is unique! Some brands will even provide custom feeding plans for your dog to help you find the right balance for each day of the transition period. By following your feeding plan and substituting a little more of the new food for the old food, your dog should be fully transitioned by day 10.

What To Look For

There are a few things to look for that help to indicate whether the change in food is going well for your pet. A few things to take note of are any changes in the activity level of your pet, their coat, their stool, and their appetite. Have there been any noticeable changes in these things? Is your dog devouring their food or are they picking away at it? If it’s the latter then it could indicate an issue and you should consult your veterinarian. We recommend bringing along the food as well. However, if all goes well then you’ll have a healthier and happier pet who is getting the nutrition that they need.