Whether your dog needs a therapeutic food or they’re just entering a new stage of life, there are several reasons you may need to transition them to a different pet food. When the time comes to make the switch, you’ll want to do it in a way that doesn’t cause stomach upset. Here are three tips that can help.
Determine the proper serving
![bag of dry hills food with highlight on recommended feeding chart](/content/dam/cp-sites/hills/hills-pet/global/transition-tips/transition-articles/food-transition-article-serving-size-dog.jpg)
Follow this 7-day transition schedule
Once your portions are correct, gradually decrease the amount of current (old) dog food while increasing the amount of new dog food. Be patient — if it seems like your dog needs a little more time, add an extra day or two to the schedule.
![pet food transition days 1-2](/content/dam/cp-sites/hills/hills-pet/global/transition-tips/wetcomms-hub-transition-days1and2.jpg)
DAYS 1-2
![pet food transition days 3-4](/content/dam/cp-sites/hills/hills-pet/global/transition-tips/wetcomms-hub-transition-days3and4.jpg)
DAYS 3-4
![pet food transition days 5-6](/content/dam/cp-sites/hills/hills-pet/global/transition-tips/wetcomms-hub-transition-days5and6.jpg)
DAYS 5-6
![pet food transition day 7](/content/dam/cp-sites/hills/hills-pet/global/transition-tips/wetcomms-hub-transition-day7.jpg)
DAY 7
Add canned food as a topper if needed
![dog eating from bowl with can of wet hill's food on the side](/content/dam/cp-sites/hills/hills-pet/global/transition-tips/transition-articles/food-transition-article-wet-topper-dog.jpg)
While it’s not a necessity, some dogs are a little more stubborn than others, and a little wet food can make all the difference. Be sure to check with your vet on the proper amounts, so as to not go over his daily caloric intake requirements.