Guide to Switching Your Dog to a Raw Diet
We know the thought of transitioning your dog from kibble to a raw diet can be daunting, especially if you are considering homemade meals. However, the long-term benefits of switching to raw food (and the convenience of Little Hunter freeze-dried) make it worth it. Whether you’re a new customer or still in the research phase, we’ve put together some tips to help the transition go smoothly.
Transition Slowly:
There are two main reasons to transition your dog slowly.
First, gastro intestinal. Dog’s systems can be sensitive to any kind of diet change and not all dogs transition at the same rate - some may require a longer transition period, especially those with a sensitive stomach.
Second, flavor and your dog’s palate. While most dogs immediately take to the savory flavors of an animal based raw diet (it’s their natural preference), others may be resistant because they’ve developed a sweet tooth from the added flavorings, sugar and additives used in their kibble used to make it sweet and enticing (think steak vs cocopuffs).
Transition Slowly:
To address these issues, it’s important to transition your dog to raw food slowly over a 10-14 day period. Start with a mixture of 75% old food and 25% raw food, and then increase the amount of new food by 25% every few days as you see how your dog takes to it. If you find your pup not as interested in the new food (picking around) or stools looking runny, hold the mix steady an extra day or two.
Day 1-3
75% old pet food &
25% Little Hunter food.
Day 3-6
50% old pet food &
50% Little Hunter food.
Day 6-9
25% old pet food &
75% Little Hunter food.
Day 10
100% Little Hunter food!
What to Expect During the Transition
As your dog adjusts to the new diet, many pet parents observe less frequent and smaller stools, which is expected since freeze-dried raw food is more nutrient-dense, meaning your dog consumes less. You might also notice a white tinge to the stools (due to the bone content in their new diet) or mucus-covered stools, which can indicate the digestive system is expelling toxins. Rest assured, this is normal!
Keep in mind that every dog is unique and will adapt at their own pace. Allow them time to adjust, and if you have any concerns, don't hesitate to contact us!
Also, if you're looking to add variety to your pup's diet, we have several other delicious recipes available, as well as scrumptious treats for when they’re being extra cute… 🙂
Feel free to reach out if you need assistance or have any questions. We're always here to help!
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