How to Transition Your Dog to The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh Food

In this article:

• How do I prepare my dog for a transition to The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh food?
• How do I gradually transition my dog’s diet to The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh food?
• How do I prepare Instant Fresh?
• What should I watch out for during the transition period?
• Why do I need to gradually transition between foods?
• What if I have more questions?

This article was originally published in June of 2026, and has been updated.

Feeding your dog real, healthy food ensures that they get all the nutrients they need—without the harmful effects of ultra-processing. And personalized portions can help keep your dog at their ideal weight—which is crucial, considering that lean dogs can live up to 2.5 years longer than those who are overweight.

The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh recipes are all developed by our on-staff, board-certified nutritionists to be complete and balanced for adult dogs*—and each recipe uses real meats, vegetables, and grains. We ensure every ingredient is gently cooked and dried using our Low-Heat Drying Technology™ to avoid harmful processing, and to retain nutrients. Finally, we mix it all together—with every step of our process meeting human-grade safety standards.

Still, any change in a dog’s diet can take some getting used to, and a gradual transition is the best way to make sure your best friend reaps the benefits of their new food without experiencing any digestive issues.

Here are some simple tips for pulling off a seamless transition to The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh food, a shelf-stable option that transforms into a freshly made meal in seconds.

How do I prepare to transition my dog to The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh food?

Keep enough of your dog’s old food to get through at least one week of transition. Everything else you need to know will come with your first box.

How do I gradually transition my dog’s diet to The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh food?

You’ll receive complete transition instructions in your first box of Instant Fresh. But here’s the gist:
You’ll start by feeding your dog meals that are three-quarters their old food and one-quarter Instant Fresh.

Over the course of a week, slowly decrease the amount of their old food and increase the amount of Instant Fresh.

By day seven, you’ll be feeding them their full personalized portion of Instant Fresh.

How do I prepare Instant Fresh?

Preparing Instant Fresh is easy. In addition to the dry food mix, you’ll need a clean dog bowl, a measuring cup, a spoon for stirring, and water. Here’s what you do:

1. Scoop your dog’s personalized portion of Instant Fresh into the bowl with the measuring cup. Make sure your measuring cup is clean and dry before using.
2. Stir in an equal amount of water for a few seconds until it looks fluffy. Make sure you use water you’d drink yourself.
3. Serve your dog a real, freshly made meal. You can feed the prepared food right away, and store it for up to two days in the fridge.
   Store the resealable Instant Fresh bag in a cool, dry place like your pantry, and use within three months of opening.

What should I watch out for during the transition period?

Some dogs have sensitive stomachs—so even if an owner does everything right during a transition, their dog may temporarily experience runnier-than-usual stools or one or two episodes of vomiting.

If either of these happen to your dog, make sure that they continue to drink water as normal, enjoy playtime, and have a healthy appetite. If this is the case and they otherwise behave normally, they should bounce back quickly. As your dog’s digestive system acclimates to their new food, loose stools typically resolve over a few days.

If your dog has ongoing or worsening loose stools, continues vomiting, is not interested in eating, or seems lethargic, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Why do I need to gradually transition between foods?

A slow transition is easier on your dog’s digestive system. “A dog’s digestive system, just like a human’s, contains a community of organisms called the microbiome that plays a big role in digestion and overall health,” said Brandon Stapleton, DVM, Head Veterinarian at The Farmer’s Dog. “Changing foods can change the microbiome—and if it happens too quickly, it can cause digestive upset.” 

What if I have more questions?

Transitioning foods is usually a smooth process—and switching to less-processed food can give your dog a lifetime of health benefits. If you have any questions about your dog’s transition, reach out to our Customer Care team at any time. Log into your account for more tips, and to update your dog’s plan as needed. And if you have any concerns about your dog’s digestive health, call your veterinarian.

*The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh Chicken & Grain is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs; if you have a puppy, please ask our customer care team about options that are right for your dog.