The 7-day switch rule is failing your dog. If they have runny stools, don't just push through. Here is the local vet-approved fix.
Most brands suggest a week, but your dog’s gut bacteria can take weeks to adapt to new proteins. It’s biology, not a schedule.
Everything is fine at 25%, but at half-and-half, chaos hits. This is the 'critical mass' your dog’s gut bacteria can't handle yet.
If you see loose stools, increasing the new food causes chronic inflammation. You might even create a permanent 'taste aversion.'
Hit a snag? Hold the current ratio for 2 days. Give the gut time to catch up before you change a single thing. Patience is the key.
If things get messy, go back to 100% 'safe' food for 3-5 days. Use old kibble or a bland chicken and rice mix to settle the tummy.
Once stools are firm, restart at just 10% new food. Stay there for 3 days. It’s slow, but it's the only way for sensitive systems.
Skip the human yoghurt. Grab a local vet-strength probiotic like Diomec or Pro-Kolin to bind the stool immediately and add good bacteria.
If they have itchy paws or red ears along with the runny tummy, it's not a transition issue—it’s an ingredient intolerance.
Did they sneak a piece of wors? Extra variables make it impossible to tell if the food is the problem. Stick to the bowl only.
SA heat spoils food fast. If you leave the bag open, mould can irritate the gut. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh.
This isn't a race to Day 7. It's a journey to a healthy microbiome. Prioritise stool quality over the date on your phone.
Get the full Micro-Transition protocol and the exact bland diet recipe recommended by SA vets.