How to Introduce a New Treat Without Upsetting Your Dog's Tummy

It is tempting to buy a new treat and hand over a full-size piece straight away, especially when your dog is clearly desperate to try it. A slightly slower approach avoids the upset stomach that often follows.

Why a slow introduction matters

A dog's digestive system adjusts to whatever it is used to, and even a genuinely natural, healthy treat can cause loose stools if introduced in a large quantity all at once. This is not a sign the treat is wrong for your dog, just that the introduction happened too quickly.

The simple way to do it

Start with a small piece of a single-ingredient treat like Pawhawk Steak or Canine Cluck rather than a full portion, and watch over the next day before increasing the amount. Because these treats contain only one ingredient, any reaction is easy to attribute correctly rather than guessing which part of a longer ingredients list caused it.

• Offer a small piece first, not a full-size treat
• Wait 24 hours before offering more of the same new treat
• Introduce only one new treat at a time, never several together
• Stop and consult your vet if symptoms persist beyond a day or two

Building up gradually

The Dog Treats Selection pack is well suited to this approach, letting you trial each natural treat in turn rather than committing to a full bag straight away. Browse the full range to get started.