How To Transition onto WILD Pet Food
Our Tried & Tested Transition Plan Sets You Up For Success!
Your dog is about to try the most nutrient-dense food they’ve ever eaten.
Because WILD is a brand-new food to them, every dog needs a careful transition plan. Without it, they may:
-Refuse the food
-Experience digestive upset
No matter what they’ve been eating before, it’s essential to follow this transition guide as closely as you can - including adding water to the pellets for at least the first two weeks.
98% of customers who follow this plan have a smooth, successful transition.
Every dog is unique, but this guide is a starting point.
WILD Pet Food is 100% natural and far more nutrient dense than any diet your dog has tried before.
Some dogs may need more time to adjust, so pay close attention and slow down/speed up, if needed.
IMPORTANT
You should avoid giving your dog handfuls of WILD Pet Food on its own straight away.
It will be very different to what they're used to and, just like sniffing out a new friend at the park, first impressions matter.
Instead, combine pieces of WILD Pet Food (mixed with warm water) with their current food to help them get used to WILD.
Our Transition Guide
Transitioning from Raw/Fresh:
Transitioning from Dry/Wet Food:
(including other cold-pressed dog food)
Tips and Tricks
Here's some helpful tips to make the transition even easier for you and your pup.
Stay Positive
Dogs can pick up on your energy. If you stay calm and positive, it helps them feel the same way.
Reward Calm Curiosity
Praise your dog when they show interest in the new food to create a positive association.
Move at Your Dog's Pace
Only increase the amount of WILD in their diet when they've had at least 2 settled days. If they have any digestive upset, read this guide here and only increase the amount of WILD when they're comfortable.
Add Water
Water can bring out the amazing, natural aromas in the food, making it even more tempting. This is great for dogs who need a softer food too.
Stick to Routine
Keep a regular feeding schedule. Consistency is key, just like when you're trying to teach your puppy not to use the house as their toilet!
Monitor Hydration
Always keep plenty of fresh water available, as you normally would. Our cold-pressed dog food has to be made with dry ingredients, so is lower in moisture than other diets. It's normal for dogs to drink more to balance this out.
As long as they're urinating regularly and seem well, it's usually nothing to worry about. If you're unsure, you should speak to your vet.
How To Add Water To WILD Pellets
Click on the link below to watch a YouTube video showing you exactly what to do.
FYI - the dogs in this video have already fully transitioned to WILD so eat 100% WILD. If you are still transitioning, remember to add their current foods in at the stage you're dog is currently comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to add water during transition?
We recommend adding warm water to help release all of the natural aromas in the ingredients. Dogs have a stronger sense of smell than taste so this is a great way to encourage them to eat their new food.
It also makes it much easier to mix in with your dogs current food.
After 2 weeks, you can slowly reduce the amount of water you add or continue adding water, if that's what your dog prefers.
Do I always need to add water to WILD?
Really, that depends on your dog's preference.
During transition, we recommend adding warm water at a 1:1 ratio and letting it sit for a few minutes before mixing to creating a paste. This helps release all of the natural aromas in the ingredients. Dogs have a stronger sense of smell than taste so this is a great way to encourage them to eat their new food.
After 2 weeks, you can slowly reduce the amount of water you add or continue adding water, if that's what your dog prefers.
In summary:
First two weeks of transition > Add warm water
From 15 days onwards > Slowly reduce or continue adding it. You choose!
What if my dog doesn't seem to enjoy WILD Pet Food straight away?
No problem – it's likely to only be temporary. Dogs are naturally cautious of new food, and some can take longer to start eating a new food.
It's worth bearing in mind that your dog isn't being picky or not enjoying their food though, they don't understand why their usual routine and food has changed so are being cautious.
If only they understood us when we tell them this is going to be their new favourite, if they give it a try!
Why are there different transitions depending on what I fed my dog before?
There are different transitions because cold-pressed dog food is totally different to raw and wet/dry commercial foods.
As a rule of thumb, the more moisture in your dog's current diet, the longer they'll need to fully transition to WILD Pet Food. This is why the transition from raw food is much longer.
What's the difference between WILD Pet Food and the food my dog is currently eating?
WILD Pet Food follows an 80:20 ancestral diet with no grains, peas, or fillers.
It’s cold-pressed to retain nutrients and support better digestion, energy, and overall health.
The difference in transitioning is the moisture content. WILD Pet Food has very low moisture, which dogs need to adapt to. Raw food and even commercial kibbles have much higher moisture contents.
How much WILD Pet Food should I feed during the transition?
This completely depends on your dog's weight, breed, age and activity level.
We recommend that you follow the Transition Plan above and use the feeding guidelines on our packaging, and website (click here), to tell you how much your pup needs everyday.
From our Transition Plan and Feeding Guidelines, you can work out what percentage of the daily feeding guideline you need to feed for your stage of transition.
Will switching to WILD Pet Food change my dog's stool?
Yes, it's possible for stools to temporarily soften or change colour during the transition period. Once again, they'll likely be small, firm and relatively odourless due to WILD Pet Food's high digestibility.
If you are experiencing transition troubles, click here to read our Troubleshooting Guide.
If you have any questions or just want to chat about your dog's food journey, reach out to us at contact@wildpetfood.co.uk
Need a more accessible version? Email us at contact@wildpetfood.co.uk for a format tailored to your needs!