How to switch your dog from kibble to fresh food
Short answer: switch over seven days. Every two days, replace a bigger share of the old food with fresh food: a quarter, then half, then three quarters, then all fresh from day seven. Keep the day's total portion the same, and slow down if your dog's stomach complains.
Why switch slowly
A sudden change of food can upset a dog's stomach, with vomiting, loose stools or a dog that goes off its food. The American Kennel Club recommends changing gradually over 5 to 7 days so the gut has time to adjust. Going from dry kibble to cooked fresh food is a bigger change than swapping one kibble for another, so the gradual switch matters more, not less.
The 7-day plan
Measure each food against its own full daily portion. On days 1 and 2, for example, give a quarter of your dog's daily Pawsh portion plus three quarters of their usual kibble.
| Days | Fresh food | Old food | What to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | ¼ of a day's portion | ¾ of a day's portion | Interest at the bowl, normal stools |
| 3–4 | ½ | ½ | Appetite and energy as usual |
| 5–6 | ¾ | ¼ | Firm stools; most dogs have settled by now |
| 7 onwards | All fresh | None | Keep an eye on weight over the next weeks |
Pawsh's Trial Pack of 4 holds exactly what this plan needs for a dog of about 10 kg: 1.2 kg of food over the seven days.
How much to feed
Fresh food holds far more water than kibble, so your dog will eat more grams of it for the same energy. That is expected, not overfeeding. As a guide, one 300 g Pawsh meal is about a day's food for a dog of around 10 kg. Bigger and more active dogs eat more, and smaller or quieter dogs eat less. Each pack is one meal, so once the switch is done there's nothing to measure.
Weigh your dog before you start and again after two or three weeks. If they're gaining or losing weight they don't need to, check with your vet and let us know.
Tips for a smooth switch
- Mix well. Stir fresh food through the kibble so your dog can't pick out the bits they prefer.
- Thaw it the night before. Pawsh packs are frozen: move the next day's pack to the fridge overnight. Food straight from the fridge is less appealing to some dogs, so let it stand a few minutes, but don't leave a bowl out for long in Kochi's heat.
- Keep an opened pack covered in the fridge during the switch days, when your dog eats only part of it.
- Keep treats and table scraps steady. If several things change at once, you won't know what caused a stomach upset.
- Fresh water, always.
When to slow down, and when to call the vet
If stools turn soft, go back one step for two or three days, then carry on. If your dog vomits, has diarrhoea that doesn't settle, has blood in their stool, or seems lethargic, stop and call your vet. Puppies, pregnant dogs, and dogs that are unwell or on a prescribed diet should only switch food with their vet's advice.
Common questions
How long should a switch from kibble to fresh food take?
About seven days for most healthy adult dogs. Move to the next step every two days: a quarter fresh food, then half, then three quarters, then all fresh on day seven. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may need longer.
How much fresh food should I feed my dog?
It depends on weight and activity. As a guide, one 300 g Pawsh meal is about a day's food for a dog of around 10 kg. Fresh food holds more water than kibble, so the same dog eats more grams of fresh food than of kibble.
Is soft stool normal when switching dog food?
Slightly softer stools in the first days can happen. Go back to the previous step for two or three days, then carry on. If your dog vomits, has diarrhoea that doesn't settle, or seems unwell, call your vet.