Transitioning Info
Successfully transitioning to a new raw food diet can take up to 3 weeks given the significant differences in the digestive process between raw and kibble.
Gradual transition over a period of 5-10 days
Day 1
Start with approximately 25% raw and 75% kibble for the first 2 days.
Day 3
Add another 25% raw to the meal for the next 2 days.
Day 5
By day 5, the meal should be about 75% raw.
Day 7
After about a week, your pet should be close to consuming 100% raw.
Start with a poultry protein. Chicken, turkey or duck are recommended. Rabbit is also a great starting point, as these proteins are often easier to digest. Serve the first raw meal at room temperature. Cold food can cause vomiting. Consider serving in a low-feeding bowl, as pets new to raw can get overexcited and eat too quickly. After the switch (the first 7-14 days), your pet may experience digestive upset including gas, loose stools, mucus in stool, and may vomit yellow or white phlegm.
Digestion is different for raw food
The enzymes required to break down a raw diet vs. a processed diet are very different. The pancreas has to adapt — adding raw goat milk or a digestive enzyme can make this transition easier.
Raw food is mostly moisture
The amount of bile needed to break down raw food is less because it is 65-75% moisture. Your pet's stomach will adjust to the amount required.
Higher calorie intake
A raw diet is higher in calories with less volume. Your pet may seem hungrier, but the stomach will adjust and these sensations will be less noticeable in a week or so.