Switching dog food, especially abruptly, often causes gastrointestinal distress because the gut microbiome struggles to adjust to new ingredients. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, increased gas, nausea, and reduced appetite. These symptoms usually last a few days, but a gradual transition over 1–2 weeks is recommended to avoid them.

What are the side effects of changing a dog's food?

Switching dog food abruptly can cause diarrhea and blood in stool due to intestinal irritation. Symptoms include loose stools, possible mucus, and discomfort. Gradually transition foods over 7-10 days to allow gut adjustment. Ensure hydration and monitor for worsening signs.

What happens if you switch dog food without transitioning?

While some pets may be able to tolerate such an abrupt switch in their diet without much issue, suddenly switching foods can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, increased gas and nausea. Your pet may also flat out refuse to eat the new food.

Can changing a dog food cause behavior problems?

Nutrition can certainly affect a dog's demeanour (both positively and negatively), but it is pertinent to be aware that whilst a change of diet may be beneficial for a dog with a behavioural problem, it is not a substitute for training.

What are signs of a sensitive stomach in dogs?

Dogs with sensitive stomachs suffer from a wide range of symptoms. They may display a lack of appetite, have excessive stomach growling or gas, or swallow and lick their lips excessively. More serious symptoms can also occur, like nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, decreased mobility, and fever.

How to — Change your pet’s food

What are common signs of food intolerance in dogs?

Symptoms of food intolerance in dogs

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhoea.
• Tummy pain (causing things like abnormal stretching or standing with an arched back)
• Loss of appetite.
• Lack of energy or lethargy.
• Gas (flatulence)
• Red or itchy skin, especially around back end, face, groin and between front legs and body (axilla)
• Hair loss.

What is the 7 second rule for dogs?

The "7-second rule" for dogs is a simple test to see if pavement is too hot for their paws: press the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds, and if it's too hot for you to hold comfortably, it's too hot for your dog's paw pads, which can easily burn on surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and even artificial turf. This helps prevent paw burns by prompting you to walk during cooler times (early morning/late evening) or stick to grass, as tarmac can get extremely hot even on moderately warm days.
 

How do I settle my dog's stomach after changing food?

Feed fiber-rich foods to support digestion

The following foods are bland yet contain healthy amounts of fiber to help settle your dog's stomach: Pumpkin or boiled sweet potato. Adding 100% pumpkin or boiled sweet potato to your dog's bowl can assist with healthy digestion.

Should I use a probiotic during food transition?

This approach allows your gut to adapt slowly to the new bacteria without overwhelming your digestive system. For particularly sensitive individuals, taking probiotics with a meal that includes easily digestible foods like rice, bananas, or cooked vegetables can provide gentle support during the adjustment period.

How to properly switch dog food?

Here's our 7- to 10-day plan for switching dog food:

1. Days 1 to 2: Feed 3/4 of the normal amount of current food and add 1/4 of the new food.
2. Days 3 to 4: Serve half the current food and half the new food.
3. Days 5 to 7: Feed 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 the previous food.
4. Days 8 to 10: Serve only the new food.

What's the best dog food for sensitive stomachs?

For sensitive stomachs, the best dog foods are easily digestible, often featuring limited ingredients, novel proteins (like salmon, lamb, or turkey), and added prebiotics/probiotics, with top brands often cited as Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach, Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, and Royal Canin Digestive Care, but always check with your vet to find the right fit for your dog.
 

What is 1 minute to a dog?

One human minute equals seven dog minutes. My brain wanted to make this a much more complicated math problem than that! I'm not 100% convinced it's this simple, but let's go with it for now. If we stick with a straight multiplier of seven that is what we get.

What is the 7 7 7 rule for dogs?

The "7 7 7 rule" for dogs is a puppy socialization guideline, originally by Pat Hastings, suggesting exposing puppies to 7 different people, 7 different locations, and 7 different surfaces/objects/sounds/challenges (variations exist) by about 7 weeks old to build confidence, resilience, and prevent fear or anxiety as adults. Key experiences include meeting diverse individuals, visiting different places like a vet's office or friend's house, walking on various substrates (grass, tile, carpet), and encountering new objects and gentle challenges (like tunnels or boxes).
 

What dog breed has the most food allergies?

Breeds predisposed to developing allergies include Chinese Shar-Peis, Wirehaired Fox Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Lhasa Apsos, Scottish Terriers, Shih Tzus, and West Highland White Terriers.

What are the first signs of stomach upset in dogs?

Common Symptoms of Digestive Upset

Vomiting and diarrhea are perhaps the most noticeable signs of a gastrointestinal issue, but pet owners should also watch for symptoms such as decreased appetite, abdominal discomfort, excessive drooling, or changes in stool consistency and color.

What are the four symptoms of food intolerance?

Q 3: What symptoms do food intolerances cause? Symptoms caused by food intolerance can affect the: Gut causing bloating, gas/flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain. Nervous system causing headaches, migraines, and fatigue.

What breeds of dogs have sensitive stomachs?

Some breeds most commonly associated with stomach sensitivity are:

• Boxers.
• Shih Tzus.
• Labradors.
• Great Danes.
• Yorkshire terriers.
• Irish setters.

What is the 90/10 rule for dogs?

The 90/10 rule for dogs primarily means that 90% of their calories should come from a complete and balanced dog food, while treats, chews, and table scraps make up no more than the remaining 10% of daily caloric intake to prevent nutritional imbalance and obesity. Some training contexts also use the rule for behavior, meaning 90% of the time you're practicing a command (like a solid "stay") and 10% of the time you're rewarding it, or for leash walks, 90% structured heel, 10% sniff time.

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