Transition Period

The transition period is the gradual switch from one dog food to another, typically over 7 to 14 days, to avoid GI upset. The standard schedule is days 1-3 at 75 percent old food and 25 percent new, days 4-6 at 50/50, days 7-9 at 25/75, days 10+ at 100 percent new. For dogs with sensitive stomachs or for dramatic format changes (kibble to fresh, kibble to raw), extend the transition to 14 to 21 days. Skipping the transition is the most common cause of diarrhea after a food switch and is a totally avoidable problem.