There are a host of reasons why you may need to move your dog onto a new food. Nutritional requirements alter as dogs get older. A medical condition might require a special diet. Occasionally dogs get fussy and just go off their usual brand.

Because dogs can often be sensitive to changes in their diet, try to make the transition as smooth as possible. A slow transition process will help your dog to more easily digest the carefully formulated ingredients and nutrients of the new brand, by naturally adjusting the enzymes in the digestive tract.

Start by mixing the new food with your usual brand, then gradually increase the proportion over one week to 10 days, until your dog is only eating the new food. Don't be surprised if your dog has an upset tummy to begin with. This is not unusual.

Day 1: Add 1 part of the new food to 9 parts of your dog's usual food.

Day 2: Add 2 parts new to 8 parts of the old food.

Day 3: Add 3 parts to 7 and so on until…

Day 10: You are only feeding the new food.

Changing from canned food to dry

• Provide plenty of drinking water. There is naturally far less moisture in dry food.

Changing from dry food to canned

• Consider mixing in a few biscuits for texture.
• A portion of dry food may look smaller than a portion of canned food.
• You may notice your dog drinks less water.

Changing from puppy to adult formulas

• Transition puppies to an adult formula at approximately 12-24 months, depending on breed. Larger and giant breeds take far longer to mature 
• Don't be tempted to switch too soon.

Changing from adult to senior

• Dogs of seven years and older should be fed a specially formulated senior food, designed to provide the optimum balance of key nutrients.