How to Transition to Raw
Transitioning your pet to a raw food diet
The benefits of transitioning your pet to a raw food diet are endless, but like any big lifestyle adjustment, starting is always the hardest part. When you are warming to the idea of swapping out the kibble for a raw diet, it is important to familiarise yourself with what may happen in the transition period, and to be prepared with solutions to keep you and your pets happy alike. Before we explain our approach - here are a few top tips from our team to help you along the way.
Top tips from the Raw Dog Food Co.
- Start off with our value starter box - it has everything you need to kick start your dog’s new, healthy diet!
- Introduce rich raw foods slowly, don't rush, allow your pet some time to adjust to the transition. It's all new to them too!
- Make sure your pet is a little hungry (not starving) before introducing raw food. They are more likely to consume it and be less picky when they are thinking with their stomachs.
- Consider adding Kefir to your dog’s meals - including our naturally flavoured Kefir cubes is a great way to restore good digestive gut bacteria when unsettled or transitioning to a raw diet.
- Keep an eye on your pets' behaviour and habits surrounding their eating. This will determine how well your pet is going with the transition.
- Patience is key. Push through the struggles you may face, from fussy eaters to side effects. The raw diet routine will eventually become second nature to you and your furry friend. The endless benefits of transitioning to a raw diet will make it all worth it in the long run.
Going cold-turkey!
Saying goodbye to kibble may be easy enough for you, but how do you transition your beloved furry friend to a raw food diet? Well, we believe that the best approach to transition your pet to a raw food diet is a fast ‘cold-turkey’ approach. The cold-turkey method is as simple as your pet having a bowl of kibble on Sunday and come Monday they have a bowl of nutritious, raw food. We recommend starting off simple, with a bowl consisting of some lean meat (like our minced chicken cubes), some green Tripe and a small handful of fibrous fruit and vegetables (a few blueberries and a couple of slices of cucumber are a refreshing addition to any raw meal). Transitioning your pet to a raw diet cold-turkey means it is less likely to cause havoc to your pets digestive system. Kibble and raw food digest differently, so switching from kibble to raw food using the cold-turkey method lowers the chances of your pet getting an upset stomach. For a smooth transition to a raw diet, we recommend letting your pet feel a little hungry before introducing raw food to them. This way your pet would probably not even think twice about gobbling down their new raw food, as they’ll be thinking about calming their rumbling tummies.
What can you expect?
Like any new diet change, side effects are common. These are not always a sign that something is wrong, it is commonly a sign of your pet simply getting used to the new food and detoxifying their bodies after long durations of eating the same processed kibble. Some side effects to look out for, (that are completely normal we might add) can involve diarrhoea, bad breath, itchy skin and smelly ears. These side effects will slowly pass after your pet has given their raw diet a fair shot. If your parental instincts are kicking in and you feel as though the symptoms are persisting or getting worse, use your judgement and seek assistance from a veterinary professional who has experience in the raw food lifestyle.
If you have any concerns about switching your dog from kibble to raw, you can always message us! Our team are experts when it comes to a fresh and natural raw diet.
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