Raw Food 101: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Transition Your Pet's Diet to a Raw Food Diet

Raw Food 101: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Transition Your Pet's Diet to a Raw Food Diet

6.13.2018

Switch to a purely RAW diet slowly. Some pets may take to a raw diet immediately, while others may take longer because they are hooked on the added flavorings in traditional pet food. Take at least 10 days to 2 weeks to gradually transition your pet’s diet. This gives the digestive system time to adjust to the new food.

  1. Step 1: Choose a protein (stick with the same protein for the first 2 weeks)

  2. Step 2 (Day 1-3): Serve 25% RAW mixed with 75% current food

  3. Step 3 (Day 4-6): Serve 50% RAW mixed with 50% current food

  4. Step 4 (Day 7-9): Serve 75% RAW mixed with 25% current food

  5. Step 5 (Day 10 and after): Serve 100% RAW

Always provide access to clean, fresh water.

Every pet is different, and it is important that you use your best judgment when transitioning your pet. If your pet is reluctant to eat frozen products, it may be an aversion to the temperature change. We recommend putting the product into a Ziploc bag and placing it in warm water until it is closer to room temperature. We also recommend introducing one protein at a time.

Note to Cat Owners

Cats can be much more finicky than dogs when it comes to what they are willing to eat, and it may take more than a week or two to transition them to a raw diet. Starving a cat into eating the new food will not work and is very dangerous, as your cat can get seriously ill if they do not eat for more than a day or two. Patience is the most important factor in getting your cat to accept the new diet.

Tips on Feeding RAW

Supplement current food to add essential nutrients

  • Sprinkle Toppers over kibble.

  • Mix Nibblets or Mini Nibs into traditional pet food.

Rotate meals to ensure a complete and balanced diet

  • Switch one serving per day to a Frozen RAW Entrée.

  • Switch one serving per day to a Freeze-Dried RAW Entrée.

Add healthy and delicious “between-meal” snacks and treats

  • Give Freeze-Dried Snacks when you snack.

  • Reward your dog with Freeze-Dried Vital Treats