For your dog’s digestive system, a change of food is more than a new flavour. It is a new set of ingredients that the gut, and the bacteria living in it, need to get used to. So instead of a revolution in the bowl, it is better to go for a calm, gradual transition. Below you will find a plan that works for most adult dogs, plus tips in case your dog approaches new things with caution.
Why spread the change over a week
A sudden change of diet can irritate your dog’s stomach and gut, even if the new food is of very good quality. A gradual transition gives the body time to get used to the new ingredients and lowers the risk of loose stools or a reluctance to eat.
There is one exception. If your vet suspects that the old food is causing an allergy, it is usually stopped straight away, with no gradual transition. We write more about this in our guide to the elimination diet.
How to switch your dog to a new food, day by day
The safest way is to combine the new food with the old one and gradually increase its share of the bowl. Mix both foods thoroughly so your dog doesn’t pick out just one of them.
| Days | Old food | New food | What to look out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | 75% | 25% | the first encounter with the new flavour |
| 3 and 4 | 50% | 50% | watch appetite and stools; if all is well, move on |
| 5 and 6 | 25% | 75% | the new food now makes up most of the portion |
| 7 | 0% | 100% | a full portion of the new food |
If at any stage the stools become clearly looser or your dog starts eating reluctantly, stay at the current proportions for a day or two longer. You also don’t have to finish with a full bowl of the new food. Many people combine it with another food long term, remembering to reduce the portions of both.
How to serve the new food
- At room temperature, not straight from the fridge. Cold food smells weaker, so it is less tempting. It can also be less kind to the stomach. Just take the portion out 15 to 20 minutes before the meal. There is no need to heat it.
- Broken up. Some dogs eat greedily and swallow large pieces whole. Mash the food with a fork before it goes into the bowl.
- At regular times. It is best to split the daily portion into two meals. We write more about meal rhythm in our guide on how often to feed a dog.
- Stored properly. Keep an unopened can in a dry place. Keep an opened one in the fridge and use it up within the time given by the manufacturer.
What to watch and when to slow down
Watch your dog’s appetite, stool consistency, energy levels and general wellbeing. Slight changes in the first few days are normal. If the stools become looser or your dog eats reluctantly, slow down and stay at the current proportions for a day or two longer. However, if the symptoms get worse, last longer than two days or anything worries you, contact your vet. It is especially worth talking a change of diet through with your vet for dogs with chronic conditions, pregnant bitches, puppies and seniors.
When your dog is a fussy eater
Some dogs are wary of new things, and that is completely normal. These tips help to gently encourage your dog to try the new food:
- Serve the food at room temperature. Warmer food smells stronger, and smell is what draws a dog’s nose most of all.
- Start with a small portion mixed with their favourite food, following the 7-day plan, without forcing larger amounts at once.
- Feed at regular times, with no snacking between meals. A healthy appetite is best built on routine.
- Don’t swap the food for something “better”. If your dog doesn’t eat straight away, take the bowl away after 15 to 20 minutes and try again at the next meal.
- Feed in a calm, familiar place. Dogs eat more willingly when they feel safe, with no rush or noise around them.
- Give your dog time. Getting used to a new flavour can take a few days and is a normal part of the change, not a reason to worry.
Switching to Veli?
Veli is a complete wet food for adult dogs, so the same 7-day plan works when you switch to it from your dog’s current food. We work out the daily portion from your dog’s weight, age and activity when you build your bundle. If your dog’s weight or activity changes, it is worth recalculating the portion.
Keep an opened can of Veli in the fridge for up to 4 days, and warm the portion to room temperature before serving. If Veli won’t be your dog’s only food, take a look at our guide to how the Veli subscription works. There we explain how to adjust the portion for mixed feeding.
Frequently asked questions
Can the food change be shortened to two days?
It is better not to. A sudden change in what is in the bowl more often ends in looser stools, while a seven-day plan lets the gut get used to it gradually. The exception is when the old food may be causing an allergy: then it is stopped straight away.
What should I do if my dog leaves the new food in the bowl?
Go back to the proportions from the previous step for two days and only then increase the share of the new food. Serve it at room temperature, at regular times, and take away any uneaten portion after 15 to 20 minutes.
Can I serve the food straight from the fridge?
Better not. Take the portion out 15 to 20 minutes before the meal so it can warm up to room temperature. Warmer food smells stronger and is gentler on the stomach. There is no need to heat it.
After the switch, does my dog have to eat only the new food?
No. You can combine the new food with another one long term, as long as you reduce the portions of both accordingly, so your dog doesn’t get more calories than it needs.
