As our dogs get older, their metabolism may slow down, their digestion may change, or they may develop age-related health concerns. If you have found your pooch has gone off their food or requires a new diet, then Butternut could help.
The Transition Timeline
A gradual shift is key to preventing digestive upset and allowing the gut microbiome to adapt.
Standard Transition: 10–14 days.
Sensitive Transition: 14–21 days (for dogs with known gastric issues).
The Method: Start with one spoonful of Butternut mixed into the current food. Increase Butternut by one spoonful daily while proportionately decreasing old food.
Senior-Specific Feeding Tips
Meal Frequency: Serve smaller portions 3–4 times per day (instead of 1–2 large meals) to aid nutrient absorption and reduce digestive strain.
Palatability: If your senior dog has "gone off" their food, the fresh aromas of the lean recipes (Chicken/Turkey) serve as an effective, high-value starter.
If your older pooch is looking a little slim and needs to gain weight, our richer recipes (beef, pork, lamb, salmon, and duck & chicken) contain a few extra calories. Our lamb recipe also contains turmeric, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits, in particular, if your dog is experiencing arthritis or joint concerns.
On the other hand, if your pooch needs to shed a few pounds, then our leaner recipes are great, as they contain slightly fewer calories.
FAQs on Digestive Transitions
1. Why might my dog’s stool change after switching to Butternut Box?
Due to the absence of fillers in Butternut meals, dogs often produce firmer stools and go less frequently.
2. Can loose stools be managed with specific recipes?
Yes. Leaner recipes like chicken and turkey are lower in fat and easier to digest, which can help if your dog has sensitivity.
3. Concerned about changes to digestion?
You can drop our Customer Love team a line to chat things through. Please include in your message:
Recipes used and when your pooch ate it.
Storage and defrosting practices.
Recent changes in routine or environment.
You can also book a call with our in-house vet nurse team if you'd like to discuss things in more medical detail. You can find the steps to do that here.
Please note these are feeding guidelines only. We understand you know your pooch best so it's totally understood that you may need to make some changes to suit them.