How to Switch Dog Foods Gradually
When you change your dog's diet, it's important to switch its food gradually so it doesn't get sick. Start by mixing about 25 percent of the new food with 75 percent of the old food. Keep this ratio for 3 or 4 days or until your dog's stools look firm. This will be a good indication that its stomach has gotten used to the mix of food. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you might need to wait an extra few days. After that, give your dog a mix of 50 percent old food and 50 percent new food, then wait another few days. Once your dog's gotten used to that ratio, move to 75 and 25 percent, then finally 100 percent of its new food.
Transition slowly. If you start a new food cold turkey, your dog will most likely get an upset stomach, which is why you need to transition slowly. This process should take between one and two weeks to fully transition. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you can take about six weeks. It is important to transition gradually regardless of whether your dog eats dry food (kibble) or wet (canned) food. Mix the food carefully. Some dogs will only want to eat the new food and not the old food. In order to prevent this, you need to mix the new food thoroughly with the old food. That way, your dog can't choose which parts it wants to eat. Start by giving your dog 75% of the old food and 25% of the new food. For example, if you feed your dog one cup of food twice each day, then you would begin with ¼ cup of new food and ¾ cup of the old food for both meals. Depending on your dog, your transitioning time might be different. Don't worry if your dog takes less or more time. Remember, each dog is different. Feed the 25% and 75% mix until the dog's stools (poop) are firm. This usually takes 3-4 days. Feed them that mix for one more day after, and you are ready to continue. Move to half and half. Once your dog is ready to continue the transitioning journey, switch to a 50-50 mix. Look up the percentages again, but this time you have to change the percentages to 50% and 50%. Now you are feeding half the old food and half the new food. Again, wait one day after the stool is firm before moving on to the next step. Plan on maintaining this percentage for about a week before moving on to the next step. Move up to 75% of the new food and 25% of the old food. At this point, you're making great progress. Do the percentages again, this time using 75% of the new food and 25% of the old food. Since this is the last time for your dog to eat his old food, let him/her enjoy this mix two days after his/her stool is hard. This part should probably last at least 3-4 days as well. Go all out with the new food. You've accomplished everything you needed and should now be feeding your dog 100% soon-to-be regular food. Now your dog should be happy and healthy. Exercise caution when switching to wet food. Most dogs will be very interested in wet food and will not resist switching to canned food from dry food. This is because canned food is usually more flavorful and smells more appealing to the dog. But you still need transition gradually to the new food to avoid an upset stomach. Follow the same guidelines for changing between dry foods, making sure to thoroughly mix the wet food with the dry food during the transition period. Find a good quality food. Not all foods that are high quality will be right for your dog. If you have heard that a brand is really good, but then your dog isn't doing well when you give that food to it, that just means that it isn't right for your dog. A high quality dog food will list a meat source as the first ingredient (like beef, chicken, lamb, etc.). Another top ingredient should be some kind of vegetable. Avoid dog foods that include byproducts, corn, or soy because they are less nutritional and act as filler ingredients. It's also important to find a good quality food for your dog that fits your dog's specific needs. For example, some foods are made with special ingredients specifically for older dogs, some for puppies, some for dogs with digestion issues, some for dogs with urinary issues, etc. Look up reviews online. Look up reviews of dog food online. There are lots of forums, communities, and sites dedicated to sharing experiences and advice over specific brands of food. Some good dog food forum websites include dogfoodchat.com and dogfoodadvisor.com Don't be afraid to spend the extra few bucks on your dog. If you find a good food but think it's too expensive, consider buying it as long as your budget allows. Resist the temptation of buying a low quality food just because it's cheaper. If the first ingredient is something that you would eat, then this is probably a good food for your dog. (This doesn't apply if you are a vegetarian or vegan.) Read the label. Some dog foods will try to trick you into thinking that it's a great food even if it isn't. Read the label thoroughly. There are three things you need to check for in the label. Make sure the food meets these requirements: No ingredients that your dog is allergic to No artificial preservatives or fillers No poultry by-products Be aware that your dog may not like the food you have chosen. It's not guaranteed that your dog will like the food you buy it. This is because, just like humans, dogs have specific taste preferences that vary from dog to dog. Your dog might not like some of the foods simply because its stomach or taste buds disagreed with it. For this reason, you need to buy the smallest choice of bag available when trying new foods. Most foods carry 4-5 pound bags, so buy one of these. Do a taste test with your dog. Get a few pieces of the dog food into your hand. Make sure it's enough to take more than one bite/lick, but not enough to ruin your dog's feeding schedule. If you feed your dog snacks sometimes, this would be a good time to test the food. If your dog seems to like the food, it will probably be wagging its tail and trying to convince you to feed it more of the food. If your dog doesn't like the food, it will most likely walk away without finishing the rest. Offer your dog water to wash down the taste of the possibly unappetizing food. Try other brands if needed. If your dog liked the dog food, you can move on. If your dog didn't, you need to find another food to switch to. You need to go shopping for dog food again. If a dog you know eats the brand you chose, give it to another dog's owner. That way, you technically aren't wasting it. Some pet stores also offer exchange policies for bags of opened food that pets don't like. Try to purchase your new food at a business with such a policy so you can keep trying new foods until you find one that is right for your dog without breaking the bank. 
Transition slowly. Mix the food carefully. Move to half and half. Move up to 75% of the new food and 25% of the old food. Go all out with the new food. Exercise caution when switching to wet food. Find a good quality food. Look up reviews online. Don't be afraid to spend the extra few bucks on your dog. Read the label. Be aware that your dog may not like the food you have chosen. Do a taste test with your dog. Try other brands if needed. 