Short answer: after switching food, slightly softer stools, a change in colour or a bit more volume are common in the first one to two weeks while your dog's gut adjusts. Judge the trend over 48 hours rather than a single walk. Slow the transition if stools stay loose, and call your vet for watery diarrhoea, blood, vomiting, lethargy or anything lasting more than two days.

Owners often look to online reviews to judge a new food. Your own dog's stool is far more useful. It is daily, specific to your dog, and free.

Why stools change when food changes

The bacteria in your dog's gut adapt to what they are fed. A new food brings a different mix of proteins, fibres and fats, and the gut needs time to adjust. Fibre content also affects stool volume and texture. A food with fibre from oats, brown rice, chicory root and alfalfa, like V-Planet, may produce stools that look different from those on a previous diet. Different does not mean wrong.

The 48-hour rule

One soft stool after a stressful vet trip or a hot afternoon tells you very little. Look at the pattern over two days. Ask yourself:

• Is the stool formed enough to pick up, even if softer than usual?
• Is it getting better, staying the same or getting worse?
• Is your dog otherwise bright, eating and drinking normally?

If the answers are yes, steady or better, and yes, the transition is probably going fine.

What is usually normal

• Slightly softer stools for a few days as the proportion of new food increases.
• A change in colour. Stool colour often reflects the ingredients, so plant-based foods may produce a different shade.
• More or less volume, depending on fibre content and digestibility.
• A little more wind in the first week, especially with pulse-based proteins such as peas and lentils. This often settles as the gut adapts.

Signs to slow down

If stools become consistently soft but your dog is otherwise well, go back to the last ratio that worked and stay there for a few more days before moving on. Most dogs adjust in 7 to 10 days, but sensitive dogs may need two to three weeks. In hot weather, go slower. Our guide on transitioning your dog to new food in the UAE sets out a day-by-day plan, and V-Planet's own suggested schedule is on our FAQ page.

Also check you are not overfeeding. Portions that are too large are a common cause of soft stools during a switch. Use the feeding guide for your dog's weight, not the amount you fed of the old food.

Signs to stop and call your vet

• Watery diarrhoea, or diarrhoea lasting more than 48 hours
• Blood or a lot of mucus in the stool
• Black, tarry stools
• Vomiting, especially repeated
• Lethargy, loss of appetite or signs of pain
• Straining without producing anything

Puppies, older dogs and dogs with existing health problems can dehydrate more quickly, so call sooner for them. And remember that not every upset during a food change is caused by the food: parasites, infections, stress and scavenging on walks can all coincide.

A simple scoring habit

Many vets use a stool scoring chart, often on a scale from very hard to watery. You do not need a formal chart. Simply note each day whether stools were firm, soft but formed, or loose, alongside the ratio of new to old food. A short note on your phone makes it easy to spot a trend and gives your vet clear information if you need to call.

Why the old food can affect the new one

Stool changes in the first few days often reflect the switch itself rather than the new food. A dog moving from a high-fat food to a moderate-fat one, or from a low-fibre food to one with more fibre, will show that difference in the litter bag. This is another reason to judge a food after the transition is complete and the gut has had a week or so on the full diet, not on day three.

It also explains why two dogs can react differently to the same food. Their starting diets, gut bacteria and sensitivities are different. Comparing your dog's progress to someone else's review is far less useful than comparing it to your own dog's notes from the week before.

Keep other variables steady

During a transition, avoid adding new treats, chews or table food. If something changes, you want to know whether it was the food. Keep walks and routines as normal as possible, and keep fresh water available at all times.

Starting small

If you are trying plant-based food for the first time, a 70 g sample pack lets you see whether your dog enjoys it before you start a full transition. Once you begin, the stool diary above is the best guide you have.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for stools to settle after a food change?

Most dogs settle within one to two weeks. Sensitive dogs may take two to three weeks, which is why a slower transition can help.

Is it normal for stool colour to change on a new food?

Yes. Stool colour often reflects ingredients, so a change of shade on its own is usually not a concern if the dog is otherwise well.

My dog has soft stools on the new food. Should I stop?

If your dog is otherwise well, go back to the last ratio that worked and hold for a few days. If stools become watery or last over 48 hours, call your vet.

Does vegan dog food cause more gas?

Some dogs have a little more wind in the first week, especially with pea and lentil proteins. It often settles as the gut adapts. Persistent gas is worth mentioning to your vet.

When should I call the vet about stool changes?

Call for watery diarrhoea, blood, black tarry stools, vomiting, lethargy, straining or any diarrhoea lasting more than two days.