How to Transition to a New Pet Food

Food Transitioning

If you’ve decided to change your pets’ food today, be sure to take the time to properly transition your pet(s) from the old food to the new food to avoid upset stomach and bowel issues. This is especially important if you’re making a drastic change, such as from a conventional food to a raw diet. The transition period should last up to ten days.

  1. Start with mixing 75% old food with 25% of the new food for 2-3 days.
  2. If this seems well with your pet, do a 50% combination of old and new foods for 2-3 days.
  3. Move on to 25% old food and 75% new food, again for 2-3 days.
  4. If your pet isn’t showing negative symptoms, you’re ready to feed 100% new food.

If your pet is having digestive issues during the transition phase, or if you need to make a quick change in their diet, add some canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) or raw goat milk to the food. Both are available at Leo&Lucky’s in a variety that is specifically processed with your pet’s health in mind. As the stools begin to harden, increase the amount of kibble or raw, and decrease the pumpkin or goat milk, until your pet is on 100% new food. If your pet loves the goat milk, we think they will, stick with it! See the benefits of raw goat milk below. A healthier diet does wonders for the coat, smell, allergies, yeast problems, ear infections, excessive shedding, and itchy skin. You should see the full effects after feeding your pet(s) their new improved diet, in 6-8 weeks.

Raw Goat’s Milk

We offer an additional way to elevate your pet’s health with raw goat milk. Dogs and cats are designed to obtain the majority of their moisture from the foods that they eat. Goat milk contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein and fatty acids all easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Since the introduction of kibble, many pets are not getting enough moisture in their diet, which can lead to kidney and urinary problems. By adding raw goat milk to your pet’s diet, they will be gaining needed moisture as well as the benefits from the raw nutrients.

Raw & Freeze-Dried Foods

Raw feeding is a great method to provide your carnivore with the muscle, organs, fatty tissue, and bones they benefit from consuming. Dogs and cats were meant to eat raw foods and will show improvements in dental health, odor, coat, skin, energy, allergies and more with a raw diet.

Freeze-dried foods provide the same ingredients and nutrition as raw food, and are easier to travel with, hurricane safe, can be used as treats. Freeze-dried foods should be re-hydrated with water or goat milk.

How to feed frozen food: defrost on the counter, or in the fridge. Serve following the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Store in the fridge up to 4 days after opening. If you have any questions about switching to a raw diet, please let us know!

Nicole Apostle is the marketing director at Leo&Lucky's.