Switching your dog's food is one of the most impactful things you can do for her long-term health. But if you do it too fast, you'll end up with a very unhappy (and very messy) dog.
Here's the Loyal Saints 7-Day Transition Plan — the same guide we give every new customer. Go slow, watch your dog, and trust the process.
Why You Can't Just Swap Overnight
Your dog's gut microbiome — the community of bacteria and enzymes in her digestive system — is calibrated to her current food. When you introduce a dramatically different diet (especially one with higher protein density and no starchy fillers), her gut needs time to adjust.
Rush the transition and you'll see:
- Loose stools or diarrhea
- Increased gas
- Temporary decrease in appetite
- Occasional vomiting
Go slow, and most dogs sail through with zero issues.
The 7-Day Plan
Days 1–2: 25% Loyal Saints, 75% current food
Mix one part Loyal Saints (dry or lightly rehydrated) into three parts of your dog's current kibble or food. Serve at her normal meal times.
What to watch: Normal stool consistency. Most dogs have no reaction at all at this stage.
Days 3–4: 50% Loyal Saints, 50% current food
Equal parts. This is often where dogs start to get excited about mealtime in a new way. The freeze-dried palatability tends to kick in.
What to watch: Slight stool softening is normal and temporary. If you see diarrhea, drop back to 25% for another two days before progressing.
Days 5–6: 75% Loyal Saints, 25% current food
Almost there. Just a small amount of the old food mixed in as a bridge.
What to watch: Stools should be firming up. Energy levels often increase noticeably at this stage.
Day 7+: 100% Loyal Saints
Full transition complete. Serve as the complete daily diet — dry, or rehydrated with a splash of warm water for 2–3 minutes before serving.
The Slow Transition (14-Day Plan)
For dogs with known sensitive stomachs, chronic GI issues, or who have been on the same kibble for years, we recommend spreading this out over 14 days:
- Days 1–4: 25%
- Days 5–8: 50%
- Days 9–11: 75%
- Days 12+: 100%
Patience here pays off. The gut microbiome takes time to re-calibrate, and a slower transition sets your dog up for long-term success.
Dry or Rehydrated?
Both work. Loyal Saints can be served:
- Dry (as-is) — crunchy, convenient, most dogs love it
- Rehydrated — add warm (not hot) water, let sit 2–3 minutes. Expands to a soft, stew-like texture. Better for dogs who don't drink enough water, or seniors who need softer food
- Mixed — dry as the base, splash of water or low-sodium bone broth on top
How Much to Feed
Use the feeding guide on your bag as the starting point, based on your dog's ideal adult weight. Adjust up or down based on her energy level, stool quality, and body condition after the first 2–3 weeks.
Freeze-dried food is calorie-dense compared to kibble — most dogs need less volume than they were eating before, which surprises a lot of first-time switchers.
What Changes to Expect
Most Loyal Saints customers report noticing changes within the first 2–4 weeks:
- Week 1–2: Stool stabilizes, smaller and firmer than kibble stools
- Week 2–3: Coat begins to look shinier, skin less dry or flaky
- Week 3–4: Noticeably more energy, better breath, increased enthusiasm at mealtime
- Month 2–3: Coat fully transformed, weight normalized, seasonal allergies often reduced
Questions? We're Here.
Every dog is different. If you have questions during the transition, reach out at hello@loyalsaintspets.com — we'll help you troubleshoot.
Ready to start? Get 40% off your first bag.
