Dog Food Switch Planner
Switch your dog's food gradually over about 7 to 10 days: a quarter new food at first, then half, then three quarters, then all new. Dogs with sensitive stomachs, or anyone moving to a very different protein such as insect-based food, can stretch that to 14 days. Enter how much your dog eats a day and pick a plan to get exact amounts for every day.
Your dog
Your switch schedule
| Day | Date | Old food (cups/day) | New food (cups/day) | Per meal (old + new) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | — | 1 ½ | ½ | ¾ + ¼ |
| Day 2 | — | 1 ½ | ½ | ¾ + ¼ |
| Day 3 | — | 1 | 1 | ½ + ½ |
| Day 4 | — | 1 | 1 | ½ + ½ |
| Day 5 | — | ½ | 1 ½ | ¼ + ¾ |
| Day 6 | — | ½ | 1 ½ | ¼ + ¾ |
| Day 7 | — | 0 | 2 | 0 + 1 |
Soft stool for a day or two is common. If it happens, stay on the current step for 2 to 3 more days before moving on. Call your vet if your dog vomits, has diarrhea for more than a day or two, has blood in the stool, stops eating or seems unusually tired.
Testing for a food allergy? If you're switching to a new protein (for example insect, fish or a hydrolyzed diet) to find out whether your dog has a food allergy, vets usually run a strict elimination diet for about 8 weeks, with no other treats, chews or table food. Talk to your vet before you start.
How this planner works
Each plan uses the usual four steps: 25% new food, then 50%, 75% and finally 100%. A 7-day plan spends about two days on each step, a 10-day plan about three, and a 14-day plan about four. Amounts are rounded to the nearest ⅛ cup, which is close enough for a measuring cup.
Keep the total amount the same while you switch, and use the feeding guide on the new food's bag, since calories per cup differ between foods.
Sources
- American Kennel Club: how to switch dog foods (25% new food on day 1, 100% by day 7; longer for sensitive stomachs)
- Olivry T. et al., BMC Veterinary Research (2015): an elimination diet of about 8 weeks is needed to diagnose most food allergies in dogs
Figures last checked: October 2026. Prices change often, so every number in this tool can be edited.