The 7-day food transition schedule: the ratio ladder that protects the gut microbiome, plus the 10–14-day extension for sensitive dogs and troubleshooting for rough transitions.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | 25% new / 75% old |
| Days 3–4 | 50% / 50% |
| Days 5–6 | 75% / 25% |
| Day 7 | 100% new |
| Sensitive extension | Hold each step 3–4 days (10–14 days total) |
The ratio ladder
Gut microbes adapt to substrate; the ladder lets populations shift without the starvation-flood cycle that causes transition diarrhea. Hold any step that produces loose stool for two extra days rather than pushing forward. Puppies, Shepherds, and post-illness dogs use the extension by default.
Troubleshooting
Loose stool past day 8: step back a stage, add fiber support (our beet pulp file), and extend. Persistent diarrhea beyond 3–4 days of holding, or a dog acting unwell, is a vet call — not a formula problem to solve by swapping again. The full protocol with breed variants lives in our transition FAQ.
FAQ
Can I transition faster than 7 days?
Sometimes adults tolerate 4–5 days, but the margin is thin. Sensitive guts and puppies get 10–14.
What if my dog refuses the mix?
Warm the new food slightly, hand-feed the first transition meals, and slow the ratio — appetite strikes usually mean the ratio jumped too fast.
Related reading: Transition FAQ · Beet pulp file · Tool library · All FAQs