How To Start a Dog on a Raw Diet? The Must Read Raw Feeding Guide

There’s a lot of buzz about raw food diets for dogs. But that buzz also raises a lot of questions:

Is a raw food diet safe?

How can I ensure my dog eats a balanced raw food diet?

What’s the best way to introduce my dog to raw foods?

Freeze Dry Australia specialises in creating minimally processed, nutritionally safe raw food and treats for pets. We have created this raw feeding guide exactly for discerning pet owners like you. If you’re considering a switch to a raw diet for your dog but still have unanswered questions, read on!

 

 

What is a raw food diet?

As the name implies, a raw food diet is when you feed your pet uncooked, minimally processed food. In the wild, canines feed on raw meat and vegetables that they hunt or scavenge. Therefore, the theory goes that man’s best friend doesn’t need to rely on dried out kibble packed with grain fillers to live a healthy, active life.

Raw food diets for dogs typically consist of foods such as the following:

• Muscle meat
• Organ meat
• Bones
• Fruits and vegetables
• Eggs

Of these foods, the largest share of calories comes from protein, which should make up 85 to 95 percent of your dog’s diet.

 

 

Types of raw food diets

There’s no one right way to feed your pup on raw foods. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of some of the most common raw food feeding practices.

Home prepared raw diets

If you are excited by the idea of playing raw food chef for your pup, a home prepared raw diet could be right for you. This involves purchasing fresh foods at your grocer or specialty store and doing all the chopping and portioning yourself.

Pros:

• Fresh, non-processed foods
• Fun for a home chef
• Possibly more affordable than commercial raw food diets

Cons:

• Very time-intensive
• Higher risk of foodborne illness
• Difficult responsibility to pass on to a pet sitter

 

An unbalanced raw pet food diet done wrong can harm your dog. – Dogsnaturallymagazine

 

Commercial raw frozen diets

Frozen dog food is a good choice for pet parents who want the health benefits of a raw diet without all of the prep work required of do-it-yourself preparation.

Pros:

• More economical than freeze-dried pet foods

Cons:

• Loses more nutritional value than freeze-drying
• Requires you to sacrifice precious freezer storage space

Commercial raw freeze-dried diets

For dog owners who want a convenient commercial dog food that maximises nutritional value, you can’t go wrong with a raw freeze-dried diet. The freeze-drying process creates shelf stable foods without sacrificing as many nutrients as other preservation methods.

Pros:

• Shelf stable, you can store it in your pantry
• Maximum nutritional value of preserved foods
• No need to thaw food before serving

Cons:

• More expensive than frozen

 

 

Hybrid diets

There is no pressure to go 100% raw. Many pet owners choose to feed their dog a hybrid diet, serving a mix of both traditional kibble and raw foods.

Pros:

• A good compromise for budget-conscious owners
• Convenient if you sometimes need your dog to subsist on kibble

Cons:

• Your dog can’t reap the full benefits of a raw food diet

Benefits of a raw food diet for dogs

Raw food is about more than just returning your dog to their ancestral diet. Here are some of the chief reasons that pet owners choose to make the transition to a raw, whole food diet for their pup.

Improved immune system

Eating healthy is key to staying healthy, and raw foods may have the potential to boost your pet’s immune system. One study even noted that cats fed a raw meat-based diet for 10 weeks had “significant increase in lymphocyte and immunoglobulin production”, both of which are central to healthy immune function.

 

A raw diet can offer a variety of health benefits for your dog, from shinier coats to stronger teeth, but it’s important to ensure it’s not only balanced and safe, but be aware of the potential risks. – Petzyo

 

Healthier weight

If your dog struggles to maintain a healthy weight, a raw, whole food diet may help them shed those extra pounds. Consumption of processed food is a known obesity risk factor for humans, so it would logically be a risk for animals too.

It’s not necessarily that raw foods have less calories. Although, sometimes this is the case. A half cup of kibble is calorically heavier than a half cup of raw carrots, afterall. However, the real benefit to a raw diet is that it promotes more mindful eating.

There are a few potential reasons for this. First, kibble is cheaper than raw food, so it’s just economically easier to overfeed your pet. Second, raw food diets are usually lower in carbs and higher in protein.

 

More energy

Since a raw food diet can help regulate a dog’s caloric intake, many owners report higher energy levels from their pups too. Overfed dogs can feel bloated and sluggish, limiting their drive to run, jump and play. Dogs who aren’t meeting their calorie needs, on the other hand, might just not have the energy to maintain an active life.

 

With some simple planning, you’ll spend hardly any more prep time than what you’re already used to. – Prettyfluffy

 

Shinier coat

Good food doesn’t just make your dog feel good. It makes them look good too. Owners who feed their pets raw food diets report shinier coats and healthier skin. One theory is that many of the nutrients responsible for skin and hair health are destroyed during processing. Raw foods, on the other hand, are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Better digestive health

Improved digestion is one of the most notable benefits of raw dog food. Because whole foods are free of additives and preservatives, they are easier on your dog’s gut. This equates to more regular bowel movements, less of them throughout the day and even reduced odour. Because there’s less waste in their food, there’s also less waste in their waste!

Helpful for eliminating allergens

Some veterinarians will suggest transitioning to a raw food diet if a dog shows signs of food allergy or sensitivity. Because raw diets consist of whole foods, it’s easier to track exactly what your dog is eating in every meal. Additionally, making the switch to raw foods is a good opportunity to start your dog on novel proteins that they have never eaten before, such as these freeze-dried venison cookies.

 

 

You can monitor their reaction to new foods and eliminate anything that triggers abnormalities. And, you might even discover sensitivities you didn’t know your dog was suffering from for years when you go raw. For some dogs, foods aren’t even the culprit for their symptoms—it’s the preservatives.

How long does it take for a dog to get used to a raw diet?

The full transition varies by the dog, but you can expect the process to take anywhere from 10 days to a month. It depends a lot on your dog’s existing diet, gut health and reaction to new foods. Moving your dog to raw food overnight can be troublesome for a few reasons.

First, if your dog is used to a life of kibble, they might reject the raw foods simply out of preference. A slow introduction, on the other hand, allows you to try lots of different raw foods to learn what your pup likes best.

Furthermore, moving too quickly to 100% raw food could upset your dog’s stomach. Even though raw food can have digestive benefits overall, introducing it hastily may shock your dog’s system.

How do I switch my dog from cooked to raw food?

Follow these simple tips to switch your pup from a cooked to raw food diet.

Transition slowly

To better ensure your furry friend has an easy transition to raw foods, take a slow easy approach.

A good way to start is by just tossing them a raw food treat, like these freeze-dried emu cookies. Start with just a single cookie or two. Every day, add another cookie into the mix throughout the day. Make sure, though, that you are using these as a replacement for your normal treats rather than an addition. Otherwise, you risk overfeeding your dog.

 

 

After a few days, you can begin mixing some raw dog food in with your pet’s kibble at daily feedings. Every dog is different, but here is what a raw food transition schedule could look like for a typical two week switch:

Day 1: 1 – 2 raw treats

Day 2: 2 – 3 raw treats

Day 3: 3 – 4 raw treats

Day 4 – 7: 20% raw food / 80% cooked

Day 8 – 10: 50% raw food / 50% cooked

Day 11 – 13: 80% raw food / 20% cooked

Day 14: 100% raw

Monitor your dog’s reaction

As you transition slowly to a raw food diet, monitor your dog’s health on a daily basis. If you notice any signs of digestive distress, such as bloating or diarrhea, you should slow down your transition. Step back the percentage of raw food you are feeding them until things return to normal, and plan for a slower transition overall.

 

The BARF model diet is the most common and popular raw diet for dogs. A BARF diet can be home prepared with multiple ingredients to provide recommended allowances for essential nutrients. – Perfectlyrawsome

 

Introduce lots of variety

While raw food will lose less nutrients than processed foods, dogs run the risk of nutritional deficiency if they aren’t fed a variety. Cooked commercial dog food is fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure nutritional completeness. You want to achieve the same balance with your raw food diet, and variety is the way to do it.

While meats should make up the vast majority of your pet food, fruits and vegetables are a great way to work in extra nutrients. This is why, for example, our raw dog food includes a mix of everything from salmon and beef kidney to pumpkin and cauliflower.

 

 

Keep your vet in the loop

Any changes to your dog’s regular lifestyle should be discussed with a professional veterinarian. This is especially true if your dog has any known health conditions, such as allergies, autoimmune disease or obesity. Your vet will be able to help you make a plan for a safe transition that takes into account all of your pup’s needs.

How to practice safe hygiene with a raw food diet

One of the biggest concerns with a raw diet is foodborne illness like Salmonella. However, a little common sense goes a long way.

Think about when you are preparing your own meals. After you chop that raw chicken breast up, what do you do? You wash the knife. You wash the cutting board. You wash the counter. And you wash your hands.

Follow the same mindset when dealing with your pet’s raw food. Along the same lines, if your dog doesn’t finish a serving of raw food, discard any remainder. You wouldn’t cook chicken that had been left sitting out for hours, so neither should your dog eat it.

The good news is that if you choose a shelf stable option like freeze-dried dog food, the opportunities for bacteria to spread are greatly reduced. Just be aware that your dog’s food dish should be washed after every feeding.

 

 

Is your furry friend ready to go raw?

The only real way to know if a raw diet is right for your dog, is by giving it a try.

The key to success is a slow, mindful transition. We recommend browsing our freeze-dried pet treats to get started with a few that your dog will love to try. Then sit back and watch your dog live a happier, healthier life.