Transitioning to Raw
Transitioning your pet from a dry commercial dog food to raw is both simple and rewarding! In most cases you should expect to have healthy firm and formed stool the very day you start.
Our recommended and the BEST and quickest transition for young healthy adult dogs and puppies is to make a complete switch from kibble to raw food. For best results we suggest the following:
- Fast your pet for 8-12 hrs before starting. This allows their digestive system to empty and it also creates hunger which may be helpful for picky or fussy eaters
- Feed only in stainless steel or ceramic dishes and wash bowls and utensils on warm water with soap between meals. We also recommend washing hands after serving.
- Do not feed cold raw food in the first 2-5 days. We suggest bringing the food to room temperature by allowing to sit out of your refrigerator for 1 hr before feeding. If fed too cold and eaten to quickly, your dog my have trouble digesting and even possibly throw it up. Most dogs can tolerate cold raw food 2 weeks after transition.
- Limit the variety of raw choices in the first 2 weeks to just 1-3 proteins. Ideally we suggest starting with Chicken, Turkey, Rabbit or Duck. Beef, Lamb, fish and tripe are best introduced once your dog has made a complete transition to the raw, usually within 1 week.
We do not recommend mixing raw and dry food kibble together. Raw food is passed through the digestive system at a much quicker rate than dry food. If you do want to continue feeding kibble with raw food, feed them separately (raw-am, kibble-pm).
Occasionally we have dogs that do not transition as easily or as quickly to a raw food diet. This is more common in senior dogs or picky eaters. If you have tried the above method for 2-3 days without success you can pan fry or sear the raw food so it is partially cooked, gradually each day cooking less and less until your dog eats the food completely raw.
Our feeding calculator is an estimate. Factors such as level of activity, age, health, metabolism and breed play a part in the necessary feeding quantities of all animals.
Percentages to use
- 1.5% My dog could lose a few pounds
- 2% my dog is an ideal weight
- 3% my dog is an ideal weight but high energy
- 3% my dog could gain a few pounds
- 5% I have a puppy less than 1 year old