Help Your Dog Adapt to a Raw Diet

Dog food recalls have countless dog owners converting their pet's diet from dry pet food to a raw food diet. A raw food diet for dogs consists of raw meat, bones, and vegetables. Supporters of the raw food diet claim this type of feeding leads to shinier coats and healthier animals. If you have opted to go the raw foods route with your dog, take the time to make the transition easier for your pet.

- Modify your dog’s feeding plan. If you normally leave food out all day, devise a schedule. Set your pets food out once or twice a day and then take it away after 15 minutes. Follow this routine for six days.

- Place only water out on the seventh day. Double check with your Vet to make sure your dog doesn't have any issues that would make fasting unsafe.

- Combine the new, raw food with the old food you've been feeding your pet. For young, healthy dogs, start with a ratio of 25 percent raw food and 75 percent dog food. Do this for three to five days. Older dogs and dogs with health issues may be more challenging. Start with less raw food and conceal it in the old food.

- Decrease the amount of old food and replace with raw food slowly but steadily until your dog is eating only raw foods.

Beware!

- All dogs are diverse. Some may adapt to the new diet without any problems. If this is not the case, monitor your dog and its eating habits. Slow down the transition if necessary.

- Some suggested foods include only fresh, locally-sourced meat from farms in Quebec!

- There are a few companies that sell raw foods specifically for dogs. Raw food should be additive and preservative–free. Vacuum-sealed and frozen it into bite-size portions in order to be kept fresh, to make it easy and convenient to feed your dog.

- According to Dogchannel.com, some veterinarians have concerns about feeding your canine a raw diet. There are questions about injury from improperly chewed bones, bacteria from raw meat and possible dietary imbalances. Be certain to check with your vet and keep a close eye on your dog’s health and performance if you choose to switch to raw foods.