How to transition onto WILD Pet Food
Switching your dog to WILD Pet Food is one of the best decisions you can make for their health and well-being. However, if your dog is used to traditional kibble, it’s important to understand that the transition to our nutrient-dense, high-protein, cold-pressed food might take a little time. If your dog seems hesitant at first, don’t worry—this is completely normal. Let’s explore why this happens and how you can make the switch smoothly.
1. Understanding the Nutrient Density of WILD Pet Food
Our food is packed with high-quality ingredients that are designed to give your dog all the benefits of a raw diet, but with the convenience of dry food. With 80% of our recipe made up of animal products and the remaining 20% consisting of fruits, vegetables, and superfoods, WILD Pet Food is much more nutrient-dense than traditional kibble.
If your dog has been eating commercial kibble, it may never have encountered food that’s as rich and healthy as WILD. Think of it like this: if a person has eaten fast food like McDonald's their whole life, they might be a bit apprehensive when suddenly presented with a healthy bowl of whole foods. Dogs are similar. They might need some time to adjust to the richer, more natural taste of our food.
Adding to this, many commercial dog food brands include artificial additives known as “palatants.” (our founder Ross, made a video about these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRPwuPBLDO0&t=1s). These are designed to make the food more appealing by emitting strong smells and flavors that directly hit certain receptors in your dog's brain, making them crave the food—not because it’s good for them, but because it’s been engineered to be irresistible. At WILD, we don’t believe in using these “naughty” additives. We focus on what’s best for your dog nutritionally, which means it might take a little time for them to get used to the new, healthier option.
2. Consult Our Feeding Guide
One of the most important things to remember when transitioning your dog to WILD Pet Food is that it is much more nutrient-dense than typical kibble. This means you’ll need to feed your dog a lot less than you’re used to.
Feeding the correct amount is crucial, as overfeeding can lead to digestive upset or weight gain. Be sure to consult our feeding guide, which is available on our website and packaging, to find the right portion size for your dog’s age, weight, and activity level.
3. Recommended Transition Plan
To make the transition to WILD Pet Food as smooth as possible, we recommend a gradual changeover period of around 7-10 days. However, it’s vital to understand that rushing this process can lead to digestive issues, sickness, or other reactions. A quick shift from a typical kibble to a nutrient-dense, high-protein diet like WILD can overwhelm your dog’s system, causing discomfort.
Here’s a simple plan to follow:
- Days 1-3: Start by mixing 25% WILD Pet Food with 75% of your dog's current food.
- Days 4-6: Mix 50% WILD Pet Food with 50% of their current food.
- Days 7-9: Increase to 75% WILD Pet Food and 25% of the old food.
- Day 10 onwards: You can now feed 100% WILD Pet Food.
If your dog shows any signs of digestive upset, slow down the transition. Every dog is different, and some might need up to two weeks or more to fully adjust, especially if they have a history of being picky eaters or sensitive stomachs. The key is to be patient and persistent. Don’t give up if your dog shows signs of resistance or discomfort—just extend the transition period. A gradual switch is essential to ensuring your dog’s digestive system adapts comfortably to their new, healthier diet.
4. Tips for Fussy Eaters
If your dog is still reluctant to eat WILD Pet Food after a slow transition, don’t worry—there are plenty of tricks to encourage them:
- Stay positive: Dogs pick up on your attitude. If you’re positive and calm, your dog will be more likely to feel the same.
- Hand feeding: Try hand feeding with positivity. Start by hand feeding the WILD food to your dog, and gradually transition to mixing hand feeding with bowl feeding.
- Don’t rush the transition: You can hide the new WILD food in your dog’s favorite old food or snacks. For example, try smearing a few pellets with some sausage meat. You may have to get creative, but remember: if you were used to a very different diet, you’d be stubborn too. It’s nothing to worry about and doesn’t mean your dog doesn’t like it.
- Mix with water: Adding a little water to the food can help release more of the natural aromas, making it more appealing. Similarly your dog may just be used to softer texture foods. Try 5050 food to warm water mix to create a paste.
- Stick to routine: Do not supplement with treats or feeding outside of designated feeding times. Establish a feeding routine, and stick to it. If your dog is being stubborn, it’s essential to stay firm—those cute eyes can be hard to resist, but if you believe in a high-quality diet for your dog, tough love is necessary. Imagine your dog as a toddler begging for a lollipop before bedtime; consistency is key to ensuring they eat what’s best for them.
5. Ensure Plenty of Water is Available
When transitioning from a raw or wet food diet, one significant change you’ll notice is the moisture content. Raw and wet foods naturally contain higher levels of moisture, while our cold-pressed pellets are much drier. This means your dog may need to drink more water than they’re used to, and that’s perfectly normal.
Make sure you always have fresh water available, especially during the transition period. Increased water intake is a natural adjustment as your dog’s body gets used to the lower moisture content in their food. There’s no need to worry—just keep an eye on their hydration, and they’ll adapt quickly.
By understanding the differences between WILD Pet Food and traditional kibble, following our transition guide, ensuring plenty of water, and using a few helpful tricks, your dog should soon be enjoying all the benefits of a high-quality, nutrient-rich diet. Remember, every dog is unique, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any concerns during the transition period. We’re here to help make sure your dog thrives on WILD Pet Food!