Transitioning to a new Raw food diet can be done quickly or over time depending on the age and health of your dog. These are our 2 recommended ways to get your Dogs new diet started.
AFTER FASTING
This method is most often recommended for Puppies, and healthy Adult dogs with no medical issues.
- To clear their system of dry food, Fast your dog for a period of 12-18 hrs. Feeding dry at an early supper and then raw at breakfast is sufficient fast.
- Start with a poultry protein such as Chicken, Turkey or Duck. Rabbit is also a great starting point. These proteins are often easier to digest, which will result in a quicker and easier transition.
- Serve the first raw meal at room temperature. Food that is icy cold from the refrigerator can cause your pet to vomit. Waiting for food to be warm also enhances the food aromas.
- Offer ½ the recommended serving. Wait 10 – 20 min. before offering remaining portion. This prevents over eager eaters from eating too quickly and regurgitating the food.
- Add a probiotic supplement such as Adored Beast Healthy Gut and/or Raw Goats Milk to help with digestion.
- Add Thrive Pumpkin Powder or small amount of Pure Pumpkin Puree to meals to help ensure a firm and formed stool. Pumpkin is high in fiber, which assists in preventing digestive upset including loose stools (absorbs excessive water in bowels) or constipation (high fibre helps regulate bowels).
GRADUAL TRANSITION
This method is most often recommended for Senior Dogs, Dogs with Health Issues or History of Sensitive Tummies.
- Gradually over a period of 7 days beginning to replace the current dry food diet with raw.
- Start with a poultry protein such as Chicken, Turkey or Duck. Rabbit is also a great starting point. These proteins are often easier to digest, which will result in a quicker and easier transition.
- Serve the first raw meal at room temperature. Food that is icy cold from the refrigerator can cause your pet to vomit. Waiting for food to be warm also enhances the food aromas.
- Add a probiotic supplement such as Adored Beast Healthy Gut and/or Raw Goats Milk to help with digestion.
- Add Thrive Pumpkin Powder or Pure Pumpkin Puree to meals to help ensure a firm and formed stool. Pumpkin is high in fiber, which assists in preventing digestive upset including loose stools (absorbs excessive water in bowels) or constipation (high fibre helps regulate bowels).
EXTRA INFO ABOUT THE TRANSITION
During the transitional phase into a raw food diet, the first 7 – 14 days, your pet may experience some digestive upset including gas, loose stools, mucous in stool, and may even vomit bile (yellow or white phlegm). All normal … But Here’s Why:
- The enzymes required to break down a high protein raw diet vs a high carb/processed diet are very different. The pancreas has to adapt the enzymes it produces. Adding Raw Goats Milk or a digestive enzyme can make this transition easier.
- The amount of bile required to break down raw food is substantially less because the food is 65% – 75% moisture. A dry food diet must be rehydrated before it can be digested, and the excessive amounts of bile in the gut help with this. Once you introduce a raw diet, your dog or cat may vomit bile as their stomach has not yet made adjustments to the amount of bile required for proper digestion. This is often temporary. Offering a dry cookie or treat can help settle the stomach if you notice your pet feels nauseous.
- Dry food expands to 2x – 5x its size during digestion. This process stretches the gut and gives your pet a full sensation. A raw diet is more calorically dense, but with less volume. In the beginning you might notice your pet seems hungrier faster as they adjust to the new diet. Splitting the portions into one extra meal a day can keep food in the tummy more often during the ‘Hey, I’m still hungry stage’
- The gut flora (bacteria & enzymes) is different for pets fed a high carb dry diet vs a high protein raw diet. The pet’s stomach pH will also become more naturally acidic as they transition to their species appropriate diet, which is healthier and more natural for your pet.
If you would like to Book a Food Consultation Session or have any questions, Contact Lori at 780-964-7027