Feeding guide
How to switch your dog’s food
A new food is best introduced a little at a time. Here is how to move your dog over to Nala Health, day by day, without upsetting their stomach.
Why switch gradually?
A dog’s digestive system adapts to the food it eats every day. Change the whole bowl overnight and it has no time to adjust, which can mean a loose stool, wind or a dog who turns up their nose at dinner.
Mixing the new food into the old gives the gut time to get used to new ingredients and a different amount of fibre. It also lets a careful eater get to know a new taste and smell.
Day by day
The seven-day schedule
Mix the two foods together in the same bowl at every meal.
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Days 1 and 2: a quarter new food
One quarter Nala Health, three quarters of the current food.
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Days 3 and 4: half and half
Equal parts Nala Health and the current food.
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Days 5 and 6: three quarters new food
Three quarters Nala Health, one quarter of the current food.
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Day 7 onwards: all Nala Health
The whole bowl is the new food. Use the feeding table on the bag to set the daily amount.
What is normal, and when to call the vet
Normal during a switch
- A stool that is a little softer or firmer than usual for a few days
- A change in the colour or amount of stool
- Bulkier stools, from the added fibre
- A little more wind at first
A healthy stool is brown, log-shaped, slightly firm and easy to pick up. Most dogs are back to that within a week or two.
Call your vet
- Diarrhoea that does not settle when you slow the switch down
- Vomiting, or blood in the stool
- A dog who stops eating or drinking
- A dog who is listless or seems to be in pain
These are not a normal part of changing food, and they need a vet’s attention.
Tips for a smooth switch
Weigh the portions
Use a kitchen scale rather than a cup: small differences add up. Take the daily amount from the feeding table for your dog’s weight and activity.
Keep fresh water out
Make sure your dog always has clean drinking water, especially on dry food.
Keep everything else the same
Same mealtimes, same bowl, same place. Change one thing at a time, so that you can tell what your dog is reacting to.
Switching because of a suspected food allergy?
Then the food has to be the only thing your dog eats. To find out whether food is behind your dog’s symptoms, feed the new food on its own for 8 to 12 weeks: no other food, no table scraps and no extra treats. Even a small extra can blur the result.
A food trial like this is best done together with your vet, who can rule out other causes first. Nala Health is made with insect protein, which is new to most dogs, and without chicken, beef, egg, dairy, soy, wheat and maize, so many dogs with food sensitivities do well on it. Any dog can react to any ingredient, though. Read more about food for sensitive stomachs.
Questions about switching
How long does it take to switch dog food?
About seven days for most dogs. Dogs with a sensitive stomach do better with 10 to 14 days.
My dog got diarrhoea during the switch. What now?
The switch was probably too quick. Go back to the last mix your dog coped with, stay there for a few days, and then increase the new food more slowly. If the diarrhoea continues, or your dog seems unwell, call your vet.
Can I switch straight over without mixing?
It is better not to. Some dogs cope with it, but a sudden change is the most common reason for a stomach upset on a new food.
How much Nala Health should I feed?
Follow the feeding table for your dog’s recipe, on the bag and on the product page. The amount depends on your dog’s weight, age, body condition and activity.
Do I need to switch gradually between two Nala Health recipes?
Yes. Moving from Puppy to an adult recipe, or from an adult recipe to Senior and Weight Management, is still a change of food, so take about seven days over it.
Which recipe should I switch to?
Choose by age and size. Our recipe finder shows which of the four fits your dog.
Start with a Trial Bag
See whether your dog enjoys the food before you buy a larger bag.