Switching your dog from kibble to fresh food: what the first week really looks like
The switch takes about a week, and most of what happens in that week is normal. This is what to expect, day by day, so nothing surprises you.
Why not just swap the bowl?
A dog that has eaten the same dry food for years has a gut that's used to exactly that. Change everything overnight and you'll often get a loose tummy, not because anything is wrong with the new food, but because the change was sudden. Mixing the two over a week gives the gut time to catch up.
The 7-day switch, in one breath
Days 1 to 2: a quarter NomNomPaws, three quarters the usual food. Days 3 to 4: half and half. Days 5 to 6: three quarters NomNomPaws. Day 7: all NomNomPaws. Mix the two together in one bowl the whole week, and keep the total amount of food the same as before. Only the mix changes.
If you're starting with a single 100g pack rather than a plan, the feeding guide has a gentler version: a teaspoon in the first meal, then a little more each meal until the pack is gone.
What's normal in week one
Softer poo than usual. Drinking a bit more. A lot more excitement at mealtimes, and a bowl licked clean. All of that is fine.
When to go back a step
Vomiting or diarrhoea for more than two days. Blood in the poo. A whole day without appetite. Any of those: go back to the previous step, and if it continues, check with your vet.
The fussy eater
Some dogs sniff anything new and walk away. Go slower, not faster: a teaspoon next to the usual food, then a little more each meal, over 10 to 14 days instead of 7. If your dog won't touch it, go back a step. If they won't eat at all, feed the usual food and message us.
How much to feed
It depends on your dog's weight, age and how active they are, so we don't print a table. Send us your dog's weight and age on WhatsApp and we'll work out portions with you.
Everything here is feeding guidance from a kitchen, not veterinary advice. Pets on medication, pregnant, very young, very old or unwell: ask your vet before changing their food.
Last updated 2 October 2026
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