Dante Carrillo
Switching your dog to a raw diet can be a great way to improve their overall health and wellbeing. While some dogs take to raw food right away, others may need more time to adjust as their bodies go through a detox period. The key to a successful transition is to introduce the new diet gradually over a period of one to six weeks, depending on your dog's age, weight, and activity level. Start by replacing one meal with raw food for a few days, then gradually increase the proportion of raw food while decreasing the amount of dry food. It's important to monitor your dog's reaction and adjust the feeding proportions as needed. You may also need to add plain canned pumpkin or a pre/probiotic to help regulate their digestive system during the transition.
How to change your dog onto a raw diet
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transition time | 1-2 days for healthy puppies and young dogs, 1-6 weeks for senior dogs or dogs with sensitive stomachs, 1-2 weeks for most dogs, up to 4 weeks or even 6 months for some dogs |
| Transition method | "Cold turkey" switch, gradual transition over 7-10 days, "Rapid Switch" or fasting method |
| Food type | Muscle meat, raw meaty bones, vegetables, pre/probiotics, premium mix, lean white meat, red meat, duck, chicken, turkey, beef, pork, salmon, goose |
| Food preparation | Defrost frozen food, serve at room temperature |
| Food amount | Start with 25% new raw food, increase by 25% every few days, feed 2 meals a day with 12 hours between them |
| Dog behaviour | May need time to adjust to new food, may need encouragement, may drink less water |
| Stools | May become loose, add plain canned organic pumpkin to firm stools, monitor changes as an indicator of adjustment |
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What You'll Learn
Start with small amounts of raw food
Switching your dog to a raw diet can be a challenging process, especially if your dog is already accustomed to a particular type of diet. It is important to be patient and allow your dog to adjust to the new diet.
Starting with small amounts of raw food is a good way to introduce your dog to a raw diet. This method allows you to monitor your dog's reaction and make adjustments as needed. It is important to remember that every dog is different, and some may adapt to raw food quickly, while others may need more time. Senior dogs, in particular, may need a more gradual transition, as they are more fragile and sensitive to dietary changes.
When starting with small amounts of raw food, it is recommended to begin with a simple and lean protein, such as chicken or turkey, for the first few days. This helps to ensure that your dog's digestive system can handle the new diet. You can then gradually increase the amount of raw food while decreasing the amount of their previous diet. This gradual transition should be done over a period of about 7 to 10 days, depending on your dog's reaction.
During this process, it is important to monitor your dog's stool as an indicator of how well they are adjusting to the raw diet. You may notice changes in the stool's consistency or colour, which is normal during the transition. If you observe loose stools, it is recommended to cut back on the amount of raw food and increase it at a slower rate. Adding plain canned organic pumpkin to their meals can also help firm up their stools.
It is worth noting that some dogs may experience a detox period as their bodies adjust to the new diet. This could include symptoms such as mucus-covered stools, discharge from the eyes or nose, excess shedding, or behavioural changes. These symptoms are typically not a cause for concern and should resolve within a few weeks. However, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns or if symptoms persist.
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Monitor your dog's reaction
It is important to monitor your dog's reaction when transitioning them to a raw diet. Every dog is different, and some may need more time to adjust to a new diet, especially if they have been eating kibble for years. Start by replacing a small portion of their usual diet with raw food and closely monitor their reaction. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, it is best to introduce raw food in small amounts and gradually increase the portion size over a few days to weeks. You can do this by adding more raw food to each meal while decreasing the amount of their previous food.
During the transition, monitor your dog's appetite, behaviour, and stool quality. Changes in stool can be noticed almost immediately. Because of the high water content in the meat and vegetables, stools may be softer than usual for a while. Eventually, stool output will decrease, becoming smaller and less frequent. If stools are consistently outside of the normal range, consult your veterinarian.
Some dogs may experience a "'detox'" period as their body adjusts to the new diet and rids itself of toxins. This can last for a couple of days to several months, or not occur at all. Common symptoms of detox include vomiting, loose stools, bad breath, and flatulence. If your dog displays concerning signs such as changes in appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea during the transition, proceed more slowly. If your dog is still experiencing stomach upset after a gradual transition, consult your veterinarian.
If your dog is hesitant about their new food, don't worry – this is quite normal. You may need to take time to entice your dog to eat their new food. Try adding a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, as many dogs enjoy the cheesy flavour, or lightly cooking the food to make it more palatable.
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Be patient
It is important to monitor your dog's response to the new diet, especially if they have a sensitive stomach. Their stool can be a good indicator of how well they are adjusting, and you may notice changes such as less frequent or mucus-covered stools, which are generally not a cause for concern. However, some dogs may experience digestive issues such as loose stools or vomiting during the transition, in which case it is advisable to slow down the transition or consult a veterinarian.
Remember that every dog is different, and some may take longer to adjust to a raw diet. It is important to be patient, persistent, and willing to adapt based on your dog's preferences and comfort level.
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Understand your dog's digestive system
A dog's digestive system is essential to their overall well-being. It is made up of the oral cavity (salivary glands, tongue, and teeth), oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, pancreas, rectum, and anus.
Dogs are omnivores, which means they can digest both plant life and meat. In the wild, dogs ate a carnivorous diet, but since domestication, they have adapted to digest and utilise plant-based nutrients. Dogs have a small intestine that occupies about 25% of their total gastrointestinal volume, which is typical for omnivores. In comparison, true carnivores like cats have a higher nutritional requirement for taurine, arachidonic acid, and certain vitamins, which are available in animal fat and protein sources.
The digestive process in dogs is controlled by the composition of the meal and neural and hormonal controls. A dog's stomach can keep food for longer periods than humans (4 to 12 hours) and has a higher acidity level, which helps break down large pieces of meat and bones. Food typically takes 7 to 10 hours to pass through a dog's body, with a gastrointestinal transit time of 6 to 8 hours.
It is important to note that dogs are susceptible to food poisoning and bacteria, and raw meat carries a demonstrated risk of food poisoning. A raw diet is, however, considered to be the easiest for dogs to digest and can help reduce gas, stomach upset, and diarrhoea. It also shortens digestion time, which can improve nutrient absorption and reduce flatulence.
Some signs of digestive problems in dogs include shying away from food, changes in excrement consistency, an increase in flatulence, and abdominal distension (bloating).
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Prepare for a detox period
Switching your dog's diet from kibble to raw food can be challenging, especially if your dog is already accustomed to a particular type of food. While some dogs may adapt to the raw diet almost immediately, others may experience digestive symptoms as their body adjusts to the new diet. Therefore, it is important to prepare for a detox period as your dog transitions to a raw diet.
During the detox period, your dog's body will go through a natural cleansing process as it adjusts to the new diet. This period can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your dog's individual needs and circumstances. For example, senior dogs that have spent a long time on processed food may find a quick change in their diet challenging and may require a more gradual transition.
To prepare for the detox period, it is recommended to introduce raw food in small amounts and gradually increase the proportion over time. Start by making your dog's meal consist of 75% of their old pet food and 25% new raw food. Then, slowly increase the amount of raw food while decreasing the amount of kibble over a period of about 7 to 10 days, or even up to 4 weeks or 6 months, depending on your dog's adjustment. This gradual transition will help reduce the risk of digestive issues and allow your dog's body to adjust to the new diet.
During the detox period, monitor your dog's reaction and adjust the feeding proportions as needed. Keep in mind that your dog's digestive system is designed to process raw meat-based diets, so some changes in their stool, such as firmer stools, may occur. You can add plain canned organic pumpkin to their meals to help regulate their digestive system. Additionally, consider adding a pre/probiotic to their meals before and during the transition to support their digestive health.
Remember to be patient during the detox period and give your dog time to adjust to the new diet. It is important not to rush the transition process and to allow your dog to set the pace. By preparing for the detox period and taking a gradual approach, you can help ensure a smooth transition to a raw diet for your dog.
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Frequently asked questions
Transitioning your dog to a raw diet can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months. It depends on the dog's age, weight, activity level, and general sensitivities to dietary changes. Senior dogs that have spent a longer time on processed food may find a quick change in their diet challenging.
There are two main approaches: the "cold turkey" switch and the gradual transition. For the former, you fast your dog for 8-12 hours and then introduce raw food at the next meal. For the latter, you can start by making your dog's meal consist of 75% of their old food and 25% new raw food, and then increase the amount of new food by 25% every few days.
Raw food is made from high-quality, natural ingredients and is likely to produce less waste. It is a nutrient-dense diet with less volume, so your dog will feel fuller faster. It also results in better breath and good digestion.
Start with a lean, white meat protein like chicken or turkey for the first three to four days. After that, introduce the same proteins but in gourmet blends with vegetables. Once your dog has adjusted to lean white meat, you can introduce red meat and organs.
