Switching to Raw Food
With all the latest pet food recalls and scares, more and more people recognize the value and convenience of home-prepared diets for pets. Feeding your pet a species-appropriate diet is easy. Many pets, even those with particular illnesses, have shown remarkable improvements, not just in their specific conditions, but in general health and longevity.
However, WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR HOLISTIC, NUTRITIONALLY EDUCATED VETERINARIAN BEFORE MAKING ANY DIETARY CHANGES!
The following recommendations apply to normal, healthy pets. Your veterinarian may have other suggestions, particularly if your pet suffers from any diseases or health conditions.
As with all changes to your pet's diet, a transition period allows for your pet's system to adjust to the new food. We recommend the following 14-day plan. However, it is not unusual for pets to refuse to eat their old kibble after only a few days, in which case it's OK to switch immediately.
- Day 1-5: 75% of present food in the a.m., 25% of your choice of raw mix in the p.m.
- Day 6-10: 50% of present food in the morning, 50% of raw mix in the evening Day 10-14: 25% of present food in the morning, 75% raw mix at night. At this point, you can start to introduce raw meaty bones (RMBs), like chicken necks, in the morning.
- Day 14 on: gradually introduce larger RMBs: turkey necks, chicken backs, marrow bones, beef knuckles, etc. If your pet is mature and has been on kibble for all its life, you may want to wait a little longer (2-4 weeks at least) before offering the larger bones. Your pet's system may need that extra time to get fully adjusted to the raw diet and bones.
Raw diets are high in moisture content (around 70%), so it's natural for your pet to consume less water.
After years on commercial food, with its salt, sugar, preservatives, and flavor enhancers, some pets may not recognize raw food as, well, food. Particularly cats can be challenging to switch. In these cases, it helps to mix the raw with their favorite canned food. If they don't get any canned food at present, then switch them to that first before introducing the raw as outlined above.
Some pets will go through a detoxification process. This is normal, so don't be alarmed if you see loose, mucous-covered stools. If in doubt, consult with your veterinarian.
Some pet parents report great success switching to raw immediately after a 24-hour fast.