Is it time to consider changing what you feed your pet?  There may be several reasons you’ve decided to change your pets’ diet. Maybe your dog is displaying mild food sensitivities like itchy dry skin, or your cat’s coat isn’t as soft and shiny as it once was. Perhaps you’ve decided to feed a grain-free food, or you’d like to introduce grain-inclusive options. Whatever the reason, you need to have a plan in place for when you’re ready to start the transition.

You’ve done all the research, read all the ingredient labels, and asked for advice from your favorite neighborhood pet store. You’re confident you picked out the best food for your pet and now it’s time to make the switch from his old food. Where do you start?

Start by Slowly Changing Your Pet’s Food

Transitioning your dog or cat from one food to something entirely new can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be if you do it gradually and with respect to your own pet’s individual needs. There is no one-size-fits-all process; some pets can handle a quick transition, while others need more time. Ultimately, a slow transition between diets is a good strategy. Start by mixing 25% of the new ACANA® food with 75% of your pet’s current food, and increase the new food in 25% increments every couple of days, while decreasing their current food accordingly. By the end of about a week, your dog or cat should be fully transitioned onto the new ACANA food.

For those with sensitive stomachs, do an even slower transition and start with 10% of the new ACANA food, and slowly increase that amount over the course of 7-10 days, or longer, if needed. If you’re noticing telltale signs of an upset stomach, like loose stools, slow down the transition.

Don’t Make Drastic Changes at First

Another helpful tip for pets with sensitive digestive systems is to mirror the protein in their current food with the new food. It can make for an easier transition when the proteins in the new food you’ve selected are similar to the current food your dog or cat is eating. For example, if your dog has been eating a chicken-based diet for most of his life, pick a new dog food with chicken as the main ingredient. Once you’ve mastered transitioning from one food to another, you can begin exploring new proteins and the benefits of a rotational diet.

Transitioning your pet from one food to another can be an emotional decision, requiring research and thought before making the switch. By having a plan in place, guided by the individual needs of your dog or cat, you can mitigate digestive upset to encourage a seamless change, leading to a happy, healthy pet. If you’re still anxious about making the switch, our knowledgeable team of Customer Care Representatives are always available to help. Or try our handy Dog Food Finder and Cat Food Finder tools. If switching your pets’ food due to specific health concerns, we always recommend discussing the change or treatment with your trusted vet.