A new pet food should always be introduced gradually, even if your pet appears to like the new food. This will help reduce the chance of a stomach upset following a food change.

Changes to diet affect different pets in different ways, so it is important to manage the change carefully. Some will be changing foods because they’re transitioning into a new stage in life - puppy/kitten to adult food or perhaps a new food has been recommended to help manage a health condition. For these pets it is important to follow the advice given by your veterinarian.

• For dogs gradually introducing the food over 7 days, cats may require a longer transition from 7 days to 4 weeks. Introduce approximately 25% of the new food across days 1-2, mixed in with the old food. Increase the proportion to 50% of your pet’s new food across days 3-4, and then 75% over days 5-6. Your pet should be ready to try 100% of their new food by day 7.
• For cats: you can try introducing the new food side by side to the old and slowly change the proportions in each bowl. Put the new food in the pet’s original bowl and the old in a new bowl.
• If you are using canned food, warm the new food to body temperature, no hotter. Most pets prefer food slightly warm as it increases the smell and provides a pleasant feel in the mouth. Think about yourself: do you prefer cold or warm leftovers?
• Avoid feeding chilled foods.
• You can change the texture of canned food by adding a small amount of warm water to soften it and make it easier to mix the old and new food types together.
• Keep a bowl of clean fresh water available at all times.
• Try adding warm water to dry food to soften it. Some dogs do prefer their dry food with water added. Most cats will not like water added to dry food.
• Don’t be tempted to add human food titbits to the new diet. Most pets will end up eating the human food instead and this can lead to bad habits long term.
• Appetite can be affected by disease, so speak to your vet to see if they have special feeding advice
• For very fussy or finicky eaters, try hand feeding the new food as a treat. This may help reinforce the bond with your pet and their new food.
• No pet should be starved whilst trying to introduce a new food.