How to Transition Your Dog to a New Food Without an Upset Stomach

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 different food overnight and you’re effectively pulling the rug out from under the whole digestive system. The result is usually diarrhoea, vomiting or excessive wind. A gradual transition gives the gut microbiome time to adjust and new digestive enzymes time to develop.

The 7-Day Transition Plan

• Days 1–2: 75% old food, 25% new food

• Days 3–4: 50% old food, 50% new food

• Days 5–6: 25% old food, 75% new food

• Day 7+: 100% new food

Should You Go Slower?

Yes, in some cases. If your dog has a known sensitive stomach, digestive issues, or has reacted badly to food changes in the past, extend the transition to 10–14 days. Signs you need to slow down include loose stools or diarrhoea, vomiting after meals, reduced appetite or excessive wind.

Tips to Make the Transition Easier

• Keep treats consistent during the transition — our single protein training treats are ideal during this period as they contain only one ingredient

• Add a food topper to the new food — this encourages fussy or reluctant eaters to accept the change

• Feed at regular times — consistency supports digestive rhythm

• Weigh portions — changing food often means changing feeding amounts; check the feeding guide on the new food

What If My Dog Refuses the New Food?

Some dogs resist change. A few tricks that help: warm the food slightly with a small amount of warm water to release the aroma; add a sprinkle of one of our single protein food toppers to encourage interest; or try hand feeding a small amount of the new food so your dog associates it with something positive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long after switching should I see improvement? Once your dog is fully on the new food, give it 4–6 weeks before assessing whether it’s working. Coat condition, energy levels, stool quality and general demeanour are all good indicators.

Can I switch cold pressed and dry food the same way? Yes — the same 7-day transition applies whether you’re switching between two kibbles, moving to cold pressed dog food, or transitioning from raw feeding.

If you’ve switched to one of our foods and have questions along the way, get in touch — we’re always happy to help.