If you are considering changing your pet’s diet to raw foods, remember the following. You’re not alone! It has not been unusual to hear of raw food diets being recommended for dogs, and with good reason as well. Raw food is a form of bare cuisine, which may be healthier as it is a return to traditional food values, perhaps closer to a healthy diet in many respects. It mimics what your dog would feed in the wild. But switching your dog from the kibble diet to a raw food diet can be a bit tricky and deserves some proper steps to be followed. Continue reading this guide for information regarding transitioning your dog into a raw diet.

Why Consider Raw Food?

There are several reasons why pet owners choose raw food for their pets:

1. Natural Ingredients:  Raw food diets contain whole and unprocessed meats, bones, fruits, and vegetables. This can be a more natural alternative to commercially produced kibble.
2. Improved Digestion: Certain breeds of dogs may struggle to digest kibble and may suffer from excess flatulence and diarrhea when fed raw foods, as the nutrient absorption rate is quicker and the stools are firmer.
3. Increased Energy: Feeding your dog raw food delivers natural energy to your dog to make them playful.

Before You Begin

Before diving headfirst into a raw diet, there are a few things to consider:

• Consult Your Veterinarian: Consult with your veterinarian to explain and determine your dog’s health and readiness to intake a raw food diet. They can advise on portion sizes that are reasonable as per your dog’s size and other risks likely to be encountered.
• Research Different Options: Some of these raw foods are commercially prepared while others can be homemade. For each plan, do your homework and try to select a plan that will be beneficial and suitable for you.

Tips on Transitioning Your Dog to a Raw Diet

When transitioning from one approach to another, the approach has to be slow. Here are some tips on transitioning:

1. Start with a Small Amount:  To start weaning from processed dog food, start incorporating a small portion of raw food into the daily kibble portion. They should start with raw foods gradually, over several days, to allow the body to adjust to the new change.
2. Monitor Closely: Regularly check out the stool formation and the dog’s general well-being during that time. Anything that shifts from the norm might require a slower rate of change or a consultation with your veterinarian.
3. Be Patient: Transitioning can take anywhere from a week to several weeks, depending on your dog’s individual needs. Be patient and consistent throughout the process. 

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips for a smooth transition:

• Choose High-Quality Ingredients: They should not be junk foods but raw foods of the highest quality, such as human-grade meat and vegetables.
• Practice Safe Handling: Raw meat can harbour bacteria. Wash your hands when handling the raw diet for the dog.
• Chewing is Important: Provide raw bones appropriate to your dog’s size to promote healthy chewing habits and dental hygiene.

We Deliver the Finest Raw Pet Diets.

Here at Houston Raw Pet Food, we know how much you love your dog or cat, so we stock our shelves with only the finest pet supplies. Our team is concerned about any pet’s well-being. That is why our raw meals are properly handled.     

You can try the following and more of these products from our pet food store in Houston, TX, today:

Tucker’s Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken-Pumpkin Recipe Dog Food

Tucker’s Raw Frozen Dog Food | Surf & Turf Patties 20 lb

OPEN FARM GRAIN FREE GRASS FED BEEF RECIPE RUSTIC STEW SINGLE WET DOG FOOD

Tucker’s® Raw Frozen Pork-Beef-Pumpkin Formula for Dogs 20lbs

Tucker’s® Raw Frozen Pork-Bison-Pumpkin Formula for Dogs 20lbs

Tucker’s Frozen Raw Dog Food Pork, Lamb & Pumpkin (20lb) Bulk