A guide to changing dog food

Some dogs take to new food like a duck to water. Others look at you as if you’re actually trying to harm them. They take one sniff and it’s major pup attitude, leaving you with wasted food – and a guilty conscience. But before you give up, start filling them up with treats, or serving them the Sunday Roast, read this. 

When it comes to changing dog food, it pays to take it slow. 

We say this for a number of reasons. Firstly, dog’s digestive systems can be sensitive to sudden changes in diet. Which means runny poo, excess wind – no fun for them, no fun for you, either. Don’t try and switch food overnight and be patient – stick with it, especially if you’ve got a dog with a sensitive tummy. 

How do I change dog food? 

Keep some of your dog’s old food back to help make the switch, and here we’ve outlined the amounts of old food vs new good you should aim to feed over the course of a week. 

Bowls at the ready? Then let’s begin. 

Days 1-2 

Their bowl should have: 70% old food and 30% new food

Days 3-4

Add in 50% old food and 50% new food

(See our tips below!)

Days 5-6 

Nearly there! Now it’s 30% old food in their bowl – and 70% new food

Day 7 

100% new

Congratulations! You’ve done it.

What should I do if my dog won’t eat their new food?

Some dogs can be fussy with new foods, so we’ve got some tried-and-tested tricks to get their new food smelling super tasty. 

Use a microwave – Pop the food in the microwave for a few seconds to release the aromas. 

Add hot water – Pour a little hot water (not boiling) over the food to soften the texture and get dog’s noses twitching over those tasty smells. 

Add flavour – Add a splash of diluted marmite or low salt gravy 

Avoid treats – Cut out treats altogether while they make the switch so they’re hungry at mealtimes

Add wet food – Wet food makes a great topper to your dog’s kibble. Mix in a spoonful of wet food to make the food more interesting. 

Why try tailored dog food? 

We make a recipe for every dog from over a million possible combinations, using ingredients that support energy, coat, skin, joints, teeth, tummy and digestion – the healthy poo pick-up is our test for success.

When it comes to tummies, we add sweet potatoes for slow-release energy, and brown rice that is a great source of easily digestible fibre.

By giving your dog food that’s unique to them, you know they’re getting all the nutrients they need. And it’s delicious too – come tell us about your dog now and sign up today to get 50% off your first box.

Get support from us

The CX team has been trained by nutritionists, and we’ve also got a dedicated Nutrition Team to get specialist 1-2-1 care if you feel you’d like some extra help.