You’ve found a better food for your dog — great. But if you switch too quickly, even the highest quality food can cause vomiting, loose stools or a very unhappy dog. The good news is that transitioning dog food is simple if you do it gradually. Here’s exactly how to do it. Why You Can’t Just Switch Straight Away Your dog’s gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help digest food — and they’re finely tuned to whatever your dog is currently eating. Introduce a completely diff

Loose stools, vomiting after meals, excessive wind, or a dog who just seems uncomfortable after eating — if this sounds familiar, your dog likely has a sensitive stomach. It’s one of the most common reasons owners come to us looking for a change. The right food can make a remarkable difference. What Causes a Sensitive Stomach in Dogs? Digestive sensitivity in dogs can stem from food intolerance or allergy, low-quality ingredients with fillers and artificial additives, sudden

If your dog seems constantly itchy, has recurring ear infections, or regularly suffers from an upset stomach, food could be the culprit. Dog food allergies and intolerances are more common than most owners realise — and they’re frequently misdiagnosed or put down to ‘sensitive skin.’ The good news is that with the right diet, most dogs see a dramatic improvement. What is a Dog Food Allergy? A food allergy occurs when your dog’s immune system reacts to a specific ingredient —

If you’ve been researching dog food lately, you’ve probably come across cold pressed dog food and wondered how it compares to regular kibble. Both are dry dog foods — but the way they’re made, and how your dog’s body processes them, is quite different. At Growing Paws, we stock both, so we’re not here to sell you one over the other. We’re here to help you make the right choice for your dog. What is Kibble? Kibble is made through a process called extrusion — ingredients are co

Wheat and gluten are among the most commonly used ingredients in standard dry dog food — and among the most commonly implicated in food sensitivities. If your dog has recurring digestive issues, itchy skin or dull coat, the food they’re eating every day is often the place to look first. What Does Wheat-Gluten Free Actually Mean? Wheat-gluten free means the food contains no wheat or gluten. This is distinct from grain free, which removes all grains including rice and oats. All

There’s no shortage of dog food options online. So why choose a small Northern Ireland business over a major UK retailer or a supermarket own-brand? This post gives you an honest answer — what we actually offer, what makes our products different, and what you can expect when you order from Growing Paws. Who We Are Growing Paws Dog Food is a family-run business based in Comber, Co. Down, founded in 2021. We started because we couldn’t find a dog food that met what we were look

Premium dog food is a phrase used by almost every brand in the market. But what does it actually mean in practice, and how do you tell the difference between a food that genuinely earns the label and one that’s just using it as a marketing term? Here’s a straightforward guide to what premium dog food actually looks like, what the benefits are, and what to look for when choosing. What Does Premium Dog Food Actually Mean? ‘Premium’ has no legal definition in dog food - any bran

Switching your puppy to adult dog food is one of the most important dietary changes you’ll make as a dog owner. Get it right and it’s seamless. Get it wrong — too early, too late or too abruptly — and you risk disrupting your dog’s growth or digestive health. Here’s what you need to know. Why Puppy Food and Adult Food Are Different Puppies have significantly different nutritional requirements to adult dogs — more protein for muscle development, more calcium and phosphorus for

Hypoallergenic dog food has become one of the most searched terms in dog nutrition — but it’s often misunderstood. This guide explains what hypoallergenic actually means, which dogs genuinely need it, and what to look for when choosing a recipe. What Does Hypoallergenic Dog Food Actually Mean? Hypoallergenic means ‘less likely to cause an allergic reaction’. In dog food terms, it refers to recipes that avoid the most common allergens — typically wheat, gluten and common prote