Switching to raw

Okay, so you have decided to switch to a raw or lightly cooked diet. Now what? 

From my experience, it is better to switch cold turkey then to slowly transition them over the period of several days or weeks. However, each dog's reaction to new foods varies, and for some dogs, a slower transition may work better. 

 Find out what meats are available in your area. Supermarkets, asian markets, butchers, fisherman, hunters, and local farmers are all great places to find a variety of animal foods. 

A raw diet should contain 80% meat, 10% organs (including liver) and 10% bone. The ratios can be adjusted slightly depending on the needs of your dog as an individual. 

Start with one protein, beef for example. Ground beef is a great meat to start with as many dogs love the taste and texture. For those that don't, it's easy to lightly cook until your dog adjusts. After a few days of eating muscle meat only, add an organ. If your dog tolerates it well, add another a few days later. After a week or so, add edible bone. NEVER cook bone. Chicken feet and wings are great to start with. I prefer to save chicken legs and other larger bones until the dog has fully transitioned and has been eating raw for several weeks. The reason being sometimes it takes awhile for their stomach acid to become strong enough to break bones down properly. For dogs missing teeth, very ill dogs and young puppies, bone meal might be a better choice. If bone meal is used in place of bones, you can add it in at anytime during the transition. As always, make sure it is human grade and comes from a reputable company. 

Since puppies need a balanced meal every day, it is better to switch quickly and start with a balanced meal on day one. 

Give your dog time to adjust and stick with it. With in the first few days/weeks, you may notice an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting. This is not common, but may happen if your dog is sensitive. He probably went from eating the equivalent of cereal with a vitamin pill everyday to a diet rich in protein, fats, minerals and everything he needs to thrive. Give him time.