When making a change from one diet to another, veterinarians typically recommend that pet owners make that transition over a period of several days.  This is to try and avoid any GI disturbance that could develop in association with feeding a new diet.

In the case of pets with kidney disease (or any other medical condition), transitioning to a prescription or therapeutic diet can be especially tricky as many pets may not find them as appetizing.  Dr. Joe Bartges - a veterinary internal medicine and nutrition specialist - talks about the challenge of meeting nutritional requirements in dogs that won't eat a prescription diet.  Learn more about chronic kidney disease in dogs.