Changing your pet's food seems easy, but if you rush the process, you may upset their stomach. Dogs and cats need enough time to adjust to a new diet. Switching their pet food safely helps prevent vomiting, loose stools, or refusal to eat.
A slow pet food transition keeps them calm and lets their stomach adapt to their new food. Whether you are changing brands, shifting to age-appropriate food, or trying healthy new pet food from your vet, a gradual approach supports better nutrition.
When to Change Your Pet’s Food
There are a few simple reasons pet parents switch their dog's or cat's food. Often, these changes just happen naturally as pets get older. Puppies and kittens need high-calorie, high-protein meals to support rapid growth. Adult pets need a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight and a strong immune system.
Senior pets often do better on easy-to-digest options with fewer calories and ingredients that support their joints. Some owners switch their pets' food when their pets develop allergies, tummy issues, bladder problems, or weight concerns. In other cases, vets recommend new pet food products to help with specific health needs.
Before making a change, it's always a good idea to talk to your vet. This ensures the new food has everything your pet needs and won't cause any adverse reactions, such as allergies or stomach upset.
Read more: From Pup to Adulthood: How to Care for Your Dog at Every Life Stage
How to Feed Pets New Food: Step-by-Step Transition Plan
The safest and best way to change your pet's diet, according to vets, is to do so slowly. Most vets recommend a 7 to 10-day transition schedule for cat or dog food to help the stomach adjust. Start with mostly old food and mix in a small amount of the new food. Each day, increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of their old pet food. This helps prevent stomach aches, loose stools, and refusal to eat.
It's also essential to keep feeding your pet at the exact times during this change. Limit pet treats while you are changing your furry friend’s food, so you don't confuse your pet's stomach. If your pet is a fussy eater, try warming the food or mixing in a little wet food to make it more appealing.
Read more: How to Feed Your Pet: Scheduled Feeding vs Free Feeding
What to Watch Out For
Even if you switch slowly, some pets might still react badly to their new pet food. Watch out for common signs like throwing up, runny poop, lots of gas, bad itching, not wanting to eat, or just being tired. If you see any of these problems, go back to the previous ratio of old and new food and slow down the transition.
Giving your pet more time to get used to it usually fixes the issue. But if the symptoms continue, you need to call your vet. Your pet may be allergic to certain ingredients, such as grains, chicken, milk, or artificial colors. Pets with sensitive stomachs may respond better to simple-ingredient foods, vet-prescribed allergy diets, or gentle recipes designed for digestion.
Choosing the Right Food for Your Pet
Choosing the right food for your pet involves understanding the differences between wet and dry food. Wet food is mostly water, which helps keep your pet hydrated and is easy for older pets or picky eaters to chew. On the other hand, dry food is easy to store, less expensive, and can help keep teeth clean through chewing.
Choosing the right pet food should be based on your pet's needs and factors such as age, breed, and any existing health issues.
Dry Dog Food
Wet Dog Food
Pet Express offers a wide selection of reliable pet food and supplies from popular brands such as Royal Canin, Pedigree, Whiskas, and more. We also carry foods tailored for specific breeds. Our collection of cat and dog food in the Philippines also includes special formulas to address common health concerns, such as recipes that support urinary tract health or aid weight management.
Dry Cat Food
Wet Cat Food
Additionally, for dogs or cats with sensitive tummies, we provide gentle food options. These choices help every pet—from kittens and puppies to seniors—find the nutrition they need.
The Takeaway
Switching your pet’s food isn’t just about trying a new flavor. It’s about doing it right to avoid stomach problems. Changing their food slowly protects their digestion, watching for symptoms keeps them safe, and choosing the proper diet supports long-term health.
Make sure your furry friend gets the quality food they deserve from a trustworthy source. Visit a Pet Express store to explore dog food and cat food options in the Philippines that suit your pet’s needs.
