How to Switch Your Pet’s Food—Minus the Dinner Drama

Why You May Want to Transition Your Pet to a New Food

You sometimes make adjustments to your own diet to keep yourself at your healthiest, right? It's the same with your pet—you might have to change their food to keep them in tip-top shape. Common reasons for changing your cat or dog's diet include:

Has your picky eater suddenly decided that they don’t like their kibble? Has your kitten grown up into an adult feline? Consult your vet—they may recommend that it’s time to transition your pet to a new food. In addition to an unexpected dislike of their old food or transitioning into a new life stage, other reasons why your veterinarian may recommend changing your dog or cat’s food can include:

• Your pet has begun to refuse their current food
• They have grown into a new life stage (for example, they're ready to switch from puppy food to adult dog food, or from adult cat food to a senior diet)
• Their current food causes digestive upset, like gas, diarrhea or constipation
• They are overweight and need a weight-loss food
• They have food allergies or other food sensitivities that may be alleviated through a specialized/prescription diet
• They’re suffering from aliments like dull hair coat or poor energy that can be alleviated through additional nutrients (such as omega-3 fatty acids) in their diet
• They have been diagnosed with a health condition that requires a specific diet to help treat
• It’s otherwise been determined that their nutritional needs aren’t being met

You may also find yourself considering a diet change-up if you want to purchase a food made and sourced in the United States, or be forced to find a new food if your pet’s old grub has been recalled or discounted. Just be sure to keep your vet in the loop: You should always consult your vet before making changes to your pet’s diet.

How to Transition Your Pet to a New Food

Here's the main thing to remember when changing your dog or cat’s food: It should be a slow, gradual process. While some pets can tolerate such an abrupt switch in their diet without much issue, other pets—especially those with a sensitive stomach—may develop issues including:

• stomach upset
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• increased gas
• nausea
• refusing to eat

Cats in particular are notoriously picky and can be slow to accept dietary changes.

That's why, in order to guarantee the best chance of a successful diet switch, it’s best to transition to the new food slowly. Generally speaking, it should take about a week to completely switch from one food to another using the transition schedule below. But remember: Each pet is unique, and some dogs and cats may need a longer transition period to adapt to the new food.

Ready to make the switch? Here's how it's done.