Transitioning Your Pet To A Raw Diet
The hard part is making the decision, then sticking to it. It is important to know what may happen and be prepared. A healthy dog may go through the transition without a twitch, but some may be more picky or sensitive then others and there may be a few bumps along this road. In the long run, the feeding regime becomes second nature. Your pet will enjoy the food and most importantly you will both enjoy her improved and healthy life.
Who Can Transition?
As a rule of thumb every cat or dog will benefit immensely from a raw diet. Of course the younger and healthier the pet, the easier the switch. Puppies and kittens will have the easiest time, especially if they have never eaten anything else and can see their mom doing the same. Remember THIS IS natural for them. Pets who have been fed commercial food all their lives may be reluctant to change their habit and may require some help and ‘persuasion’. Cats are known to be a little fussy when it comes to their food so again some patients and maybe cunningness may be necessary. For very old or sick pets more care should be taken. If in doubt it is always advisable to consult with a pet health professional that has experience in the subject. Some vets are not yet open to the raw food diet, and naturally will not be able to provide positive advice. From testimonials and stories we have heard and read, it is often harder for the human involved then the animal
Cold Turkey Or Slow?
Expected Side Effects
Abnormal stools
Tips & Tricks
How To Switch Dog Foods Gradually
Last Updated: May 31, 2021References
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 29,535 times.
Changing your dogs food can be a difficult task because it can upset your dogs stomach and create digestion problems. This is especially true if you try to switch the food too quickly or all at once. Take some time to do a little research and figure out how to gradually switch your dogs food so that it will affect your pet minimally.
How To Follow A Raw Vegan Diet
To follow a raw vegan diet, you should first ensure that at least 75% of all the food you eat is raw or cooked at temperatures below 104118°F .
Animal products should be avoided entirely, while fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds should be plentiful. Grains and legumes can be included but must be soaked or sprouted prior to consumption.
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What Does A Cesar Salad And A Raw Dog Food Diet Have In Common
Raw dog food diets, either the ones you make up yourself at home or the pre-made commercial ones you buy at the pet store or online are like the Cesar salad. They give your dog the proper nourishment your dog needs without having to resort to palatability enhancers, E-numbers, sugar and all the other exotic ingredients made from parts of animals Id rather not think about.
Your dogs body gets the correct nutrients going to the correct places and providing the correct outcome a long term healthy dog.
Four Advantages of Raw Dog Food
The truth is dogs have no real need for carbohydrates their liver derives its energy from the proteins in meat and bone. So cutting out the grain that bulks out dry dog food is a good thing for your dogs long term health.
Human grade ingredients mean you get food you can trust instead of pieces and parts of rendered dead animals that often do not include any actual meat at all.
You control your dogs diet, which like your kids diet can be kept healthy because you made it or at least know whats in it.
If we re-visit the dog breath test, a dog fed naturally will have sweet breath and white teeth with pink gums. This is the test of diet, of health and of how well your dog will live going forward.
How To Transition Your Pet From Kibble To Raw
Making the switch to a raw diet is one of the best things you can do for your pet’s overall health and well being. Whether you have a puppy, adult, or senior dog, they will reap many benefits of a raw diet.
When it comes to making the transition from kibble to raw, there are two options:
RAPID SWITCH
Most puppies and healthy adult dogs can switch to a raw diet using the “Rapid Switch” method, also known as fasting.
To do a Rapid Switch, you do not feed their evening meal , then introduce their new raw food in the morning.
We suggest starting with a simple and lean protein like our Pure Chicken or Pure Turkey for the first three to four days. From there, we recommend introducing the same proteins but in our Gourmet Blends – which have Kale, Kelp, Spinach, and Tripe – for another three days. Once you have completed the above white meats, we recommend introducing red meats such as Pure Beef and Gourmet Pork for another three days.
This process allows your dog to adjust and build a tolerance to a variety of proteins. You will now be able to mix and rotate proteins daily or weekly.
NOTE: Doing a rapid switch with a cold meal early in the transitioning stage may cause some dogs to vomit. We recommend bringing it close to room temperature Alternatively, you can add a little warm water, which also enhances the raw food’s smell and flavour. After four days, you’ll be able to feed straight from the refrigerator without stomach upset.
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Raw Versus Dry Dog Food
The raw diet for dogs has many perceived benefits. Here are a few of the major health benefits: Improved dental health. Healthier skin. Greater energy. Shinier coats. Like dry dog foods, there are some drawbacks to the raw diet for dogs. This diet is much more time consuming than standard commercially made dog food.
Raw diets, which involve feeding your dog raw meats, organs and bone.
At $46 for a 10 pound bag, its more expensive than many of the dry food bags youd find in your local pet food.
Wonderful sharing from Dr. Wang Jinquan, chief scientist of pet nutrition and food science team of feed Research Institute of.
A pet spa staff clips a dogs nails as part of a door-to-door pet care service.
He spends some VND5 million each month on raw food which he cooks into tempting meals to please his pooches.
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While a lot of people want to feed raw food to their dogs,
both dry and wet food at the same time is helpful or harmful to pets.
A large, structured, 2016 survey in the USA indicated that 3% of dog and 4% of cat owners reported purchasing raw pet food, and raw or cooked human food was.
Diet as a puppy is a factor in the development of allergy and atopy related skin symptoms in adult dogs Researchers at the University of Helsinki studied the relationship between allergy and atopy related skin symptoms at adult.
Creating A Raw Dog Food Recipe
A raw dog food recipe which is carefully thought out and properly prepared can keep Fido happy, healthy and in peak condition.
If you want to feed your dog a raw diet, you might well be wondering how to choose the right ingredients, how much to use, and how to prepare them.
To get things right its important to know the basics of what nutrients your dog needs, and of course whats safe for him to eat and what isnt.
Once youve learned this, it simple to prepare tasty, healthy dishes that your dog will love and on this page youre going to find all the tips, advice and information you need, so lets get started!
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No Thanks I Already Ate
Many pets dont ever get a chance to develop an appetite when they are free fed. While its hard for humans to understand, dogs shouldnt nibble on small amounts of food throughout the day like humans do. Physiologically its healthiest for dogs to eat once or twice a day and continued feeding can cause pH imbalances, kidney problems, metabolic problems and poor digestion. Additionally, if your pet is free fed it could take you longer to notice if your pet is sick or if there is a problem with his food that needs to be addressed.
Your Dog And A Raw Food Diet
I mentioned earlier, that if you switch your dog to a raw food diet, s/he might get gas more often, but this shouldnt last long when they adjust to the new ingredients in their meals.
You may also notice that your dog is pooping less because they get more nutrients from their food.
Another thing to think about is the nutritional value of the fresh food youre giving them.
It has more nutrients than dry kibble, which can benefit dogs with allergies or other medical conditions.
A raw food diet also encourages healthier skin and a shiny coat, which means they may not need to visit the groomer as often.
And, if your dog has bad breath or plaque buildup on their teeth, a raw food diet can be beneficial for them too.
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How To Transition To A Raw Pet Food Diet
When making the transition to a raw pet food diet, we recommend starting with an easily digestible protein, such as our Basic Chicken, Basic Turkey, or Basic Duck. After two days of feeding your pet one of these Basic Formulas, try introducing an Iron Will Raw Original Dinner blend with the same protein.
Below are two examples of a transition program:
If your pet has a suspected chicken intolerance, we suggest trying this transitioning schedule instead.
Transitioning Options
What To Expect When Switching To Raw Dog Food
This will occur mainly through the bowels and skin. During detox, your dog will act normal, be happy, bright and alert. But you may notice the following symptoms: Runny Eyes Earwax or debris produced from the ear Dry skin Chronic or periodic skin conditions may briefly worsen Mucus coating your dogs stool
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How To Transition Your Dog To A Raw Diet
Feeding dogs a raw diet is a rising trend among dog owners around the world so if youre asking how to transition your dog to a raw diet, youre not alone. Lots of others are asking the same question too.
Raw feeding is based on the principle idea that, based on their ancestors and anatomy, dogs are designed to digest and thrive on raw meat but there are factors you need to take into account before switching such as your dog’s age and activity levels, which allow you to choose the right food quantities and type.
And so with the rising trends in feeding raw, with the help of Emma Brown, Customer and Sales Support Team Leader at Natural Instinct, were learning how to transition your dog to a raw diet over 7-10 days for long term success.
Contents
How To Change Your Dogs Food
Switching your dogs food abruptly can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, and a decreased appetite. Any time you decide to change your dogs food, you should transition to the new diet gradually in order to give your dogs system time to adjust to the change. Ideally, these transitions should happen over 5-7 days. During this transition, you will gradually incorporate more and more of the new food by mixing it with your dogs current diet. For most dogs, a good diet transition will look like this:
- Day 1: 25% new diet and 75% old diet.
- Day 3: 50% new diet and 50% old diet.
- Day 5: 75% new diet and 25% old diet.
- Day 7: 100% new diet.
Some dogs with sensitive stomachs, food allergies, or other gastrointestinal diseases may need an even longer transition period. The key to a good diet transition is monitoring your dogs individual response. If, at any point during the diet transition, your dog displays concerning signs such as changes in appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, you should proceed more slowly. And if you have transitioned gradually and your dog is still experiencing stomach upset, it is best to consult with your veterinarian. In some cases, it may be necessary to choose a different diet.
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Why Do People Feed Dogs Kibble Food
- Dog food like kibble has been a staple of most dogs diets since it was popularized during the industrial revolution. Kibble made feeding your dog much easier, which in turn paved the way for the increase in pet ownership. Prior to then, dogs were primarily used on farms, ranches, and for work.
You should switch to an adult dog food when your puppy is anywhere from 18 months to 24 months old. Large or giant breed puppies take a little longer to reach maturity, and many of them are still growing until they turn two years old.
Bonus: For Specific Health Issues
If your pet has a health issue, then any food changes should be done with the help of a professional, especially in cases of diabetes and other forms metabolic disease. Your veterinarian may need to be involved since lab work and/or medication changes may be required to monitor your pets progress so its very important your vet is a part of the process.
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Extra Tips For Switching
I recommend you feed dry or canned food separately from dehydrated or raw meals because they digest at different rates. When transitioning, its ok to mix foods and incrementally increase the new food if needed. For long term use however, you should feed dry or canned at one meal and dehydrated or raw at the other meal.
To start, make his meal 75% old food and 25% new food.
Youll know its time to increase your dogs ratio of new food when he has solid stool.
Increase the new food by another 25% in a few days or when you see that your pet is tolerating the change in diet. Some pets may take three days to transition and some may take three weeks.
Observe your dogs reaction to the new food and increase according to what you think is best, based on his tolerance. Look for firm stools before you make any new changes. If he is really sensitive to the change, add only 10% new food. Adding probiotics to his food will also help the sensitive pet to transition more easily.
Top Best Answers To The Question How Do I Transition My Puppy From Raw Food To Kibble
How to Switch from Raw to Dry Dog Food
Those who are looking for an answer to the question «How do i transition my puppy from raw food to kibble?» often ask the followingquestions:
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Traveling With Raw Food
Feeding your dog healthy raw food takes a little more effort than just throwing down a bowl of kibble. Preparing their daily meal , takes me 10 to 15 minutes. And I do have to do more clean up throughout the process, and after, so I dont get raw meat all over the kitchen. So, its reasonable to expect that taking your dogs new diet on the road is going to take a little more planning, and time, too.
When we leave the dogs at home, with a caretaker, weve just been buying the pre-made patties to make their lives as easy as possible. Ive been keeping a box around just in case were crunched on time, having a bad day, or other real world considerations like that.
What about camping? Well, the Dometic comes along when were car or 4×4 camping, but for a recent backpacking trip I found premade freeze-dried patties to be an ideal solution. Just like human backpacking food, all the weight is sucked out of those, making them ideal on the trail, but theyre easily rehydrated with even cool water in camp. Theyre expensive , but I really appreciated the weight savings, and Wiley enjoyed eating them.