You’ve decided to make a change.

Less highly processed food. More recognisable ingredients. Real meat, vegetables and carefully balanced nutrition.

Great.

But before you empty the kibble bowl and replace it completely with CHOW, there’s something very important to understand:

Good things take time – and so does your dog’s tummy.

At CHOW Pet Foods, we recommend a 10–14 day transition period, during which CHOW meals are slowly introduced and mixed with whatever your dog was eating before.

Why?

Because CHOW meals are made with real ingredients and can be quite rich compared with what your dog’s digestive system is used to. A sudden change can sometimes cause an upset tummy.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the new food doesn’t agree with your dog.

It might simply mean too much changed, too quickly.

Why Does Changing Food Affect Dogs?

Your dog’s digestive system becomes accustomed to the food they eat regularly.

If they’ve eaten the same kibble every day for months or even years, their digestive system and gut microbiome have adapted to processing that particular combination of ingredients, nutrients, fibre, fats and proteins.

Then suddenly you introduce something completely different.

Real meat.

Vegetables.

Different sources of fibre.

More moisture.

Different levels and types of fats and proteins.

That can be quite a change for their digestive system.

Changing too quickly can sometimes result in:

• Loose stools
• Diarrhoea
• Gas
• Changes in stool frequency
• Vomiting
• Reduced appetite
• Tummy discomfort

That’s why we recommend giving their digestive system time to adjust.

Think About Your Dog’s Gut Like an Ecosystem

Inside your dog’s digestive system lives a huge community of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome.

These microorganisms play an important role in digestion.

When you change what goes into the bowl, you’re also changing what reaches this ecosystem.

A gradual transition gives your dog’s digestive system time to adapt to the different ingredients and nutritional composition of their new meals.

This is particularly important when making a bigger dietary change, such as moving from kibble to meals made with real ingredients.

So, How Should You Transition to CHOW?

We recommend transitioning gradually over approximately 10–14 days.

But rather than treating this as a strict mathematical formula, we encourage you to watch your dog and see how they respond.

You might begin with approximately:

Start with around 20% CHOW

Mix a small amount of CHOW into the food your dog was previously eating.

For example:

20% CHOW + 80% existing food

Then have a look at how they’re handling it.

How is their digestion?

How are their stools?

Are they comfortable?

Are they eating happily?

If everything looks good, gradually increase the amount of CHOW.

Slowly increase the CHOW

Over the following days, continue increasing the proportion of CHOW while reducing the amount of their previous food.

There’s no need to rush.

Your dog might move through the transition quickly and comfortably, while another dog may need a little longer at each stage.

Let your dog tell you when they’re ready for the next increase.

The goal is to gradually reach:

100% CHOW

over approximately 10–14 days.

Why Don’t We Give You a Strict Daily Formula?

Because dogs aren’t all the same.

Some dogs have incredibly robust digestive systems and adapt to dietary changes easily.

Others have much more sensitive tummies.

Age, previous diet, individual digestion and general health can all influence how quickly a dog adjusts.

That’s why we prefer:

Introduce. Watch. Increase.

Start with around 20% CHOW.

See how your dog handles digesting it.

If everything is going well, increase the amount as you wish over the transition period.

Simple.

And Yes… Watch the Poop 💩

Dog owners already know this.

You become surprisingly interested in poop.

During a food transition, it can actually give you some useful information about how your dog is adapting.

Keep an eye on stool consistency and frequency, but also look at your dog as a whole.

Are they eating enthusiastically?

Are they drinking normally?

Is their energy normal?

Are they comfortable?

Are they behaving like themselves?

A small temporary change in stool can happen when changing foods. Persistent diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, blood in the stool, significant lethargy or refusing food should be discussed with your veterinarian.

If your dog has an existing medical condition, allergies or is following a veterinary diet, speak with your vet before making significant dietary changes.

Transition dog from kibble to real food

Don’t Change Everything at Once

While transitioning to CHOW, try to keep everything else relatively simple.

It’s probably not the best week to introduce five new treats, supplements, chews and table scraps as well.

If your dog’s tummy reacts, you’ll have no idea what caused it.

Introduce CHOW gradually, allow their digestive system to adjust and then introduce other changes separately.

Don’t Blame the New Food Too Quickly

Imagine eating the same type of food every day for years and then completely changing your diet overnight.

Your digestive system might have something to say about it too!

It’s the same with our dogs.

Because CHOW meals contain real ingredients and can be richer than the food your dog has previously been eating, suddenly switching an entire bowl can occasionally result in an upset tummy.

That doesn’t automatically mean CHOW isn’t right for them.

Their digestive system may simply need more time.

Real Ingredients. Sensible Changes. Happier Bowls.

At CHOW Pet Foods, we believe feeding your dog better should be simple.

Real ingredients.

Balanced meals.

Food made with purpose.

But when you’re making a change to their diet, give their digestive system a chance to come along for the ride.

Start with around 20% CHOW.

Mix it with what they were eating before.

See how they handle digesting it.

Gradually increase the amount over 10–14 days until you’ve made the full transition.

No race. No rigid timetable for Transition dog from kibble to real food.

Watch your dog, take your time and let their tummy adjust. 🐶💚

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Looking for a place for your dog to stay and make sure they still enjoy CHOW, contact Canine Point Academy who use CHOW for all there four legged guests.