How to Transition Dog Food Without Upsetting Your Pet

We have found that the smoothest transition from one dry food to another is to simply mix the foods together in order to change your dog’s diet gradually. This food transition process should usually take about seven days until you are feeding your pet 100% of the new food. You can increase the transition time if your dog is particularly sensitive to menu changes.

Any abrupt change to a different diet can cause some pets to experience gastrointestinal upset (for example, loose stools or vomiting). While this upset usually disappears in a matter of days, it can often be avoided by following these simple transition guidelines. Unlike humans, dogs often eat the same diet for months or years and their digestive systems are not as used to change as ours are!

When to Switch Your Puppy to Adult Food

Owning a puppy can be exciting, but overwhelming as first-time dog owners can be overwhelmed with choices — especially when it comes to the decision to switch from puppy food to normal adult formulas. Foods created for puppies include the ingredients necessary to support growth periods. Puppies require protein-rich food to flourish, however, the protein level in a puppy’s food must be carefully calculated, as more protein is not always better. As a general rule of thumb, puppies should be weaned off of Pedigree food and transitioned to adult food when the puppy is between 18 and 24 months of age. Larger breed dogs tend to require a bit longer to fully mature, so they tend to make the switch toward the later end of the transition period.

We take a deeper look into when to switch to senior dog food, taking into account the different requirements of dog age, and the nutritional requirements of large breeds and small, based on their muscle mass and other factors.

Additional Tips for Switching Dog Food to Canidae

We realize that there are some instances in which switching your pet’s food slowly isn’t possible. Examples include dietary restrictions and intolerances or a specific prescription diet recommended by your veterinarian. In these situations, we recommend the following to keep your dog happy during the transition.
Feed smaller portions more regularly. We suggest breaking up the daily intake to 3 to 4 feedings per day.
Water is your friend! Adding warm water to the food will also decrease the chance of your pet eating too quickly and not chewing thoroughly. Gulping a highly palatable product could cause vomiting. And, make sure to always offer plenty of clean water to your pet.

Canidae Makes Changing Your Dog Food a Breeze.

Transitioning your dog to new food has never been easier. Following Pedigree guide to changing dog food will ensure a smooth transition and a happy pup.