How to Transition Your Dog to a Raw Diet | Feeding Tips & Safety

Most dogs love raw food and can transition quickly and easily. With a little planning, you’ll set your dog up for success as they move to a healthier, more natural diet.

How to Transition Your Dog to Raw Food

For Most Dogs:

If your dog rarely has digestive issues and eagerly tries new foods, you can transition in just a few days:

Day 1
Offer a spoonful of raw food as a treat alongside their regular meal.
Day 2
Replace ¼ of their meal with raw food, mixing well with their current food.
Day 3
Replace ½ of their meal with raw food, continuing to mix.
Day 4
Transition fully to a raw diet.

For Picky or Sensitive Dogs:

If your dog has a sensitive stomach or is cautious with new foods, extend each step above for several days before moving on. You can also try hydrating their kibble before adding raw food to help their gut adjust to a more moisture-rich, nutrient-dense diet.

Watch Your Dog’s Digestion

It’s normal for some dogs to have temporary loose stools during the transition. Sometimes, the excitement of new food can cause this too! If your dog is eating eagerly and their stool is fine, continue to the next step. If their gut seems overwhelmed, scale back to a spoonful or two per meal for a few days, then gradually increase again.

Feeding Tips for Raw Diets

Remove Uneaten Food

Because raw food is perishable, do not leave it out all day. Pick up any uneaten food after 30 minutes and refrigerate or discard it.
Avoid Overfeeding

Raw food is calorie- and nutrient-dense compared to kibble. Start with smaller portions and increase gradually to maintain a healthy weight.
Fast Eaters

Dogs naturally eat quickly. To slow them down, spread the food around their bowl or add a splash of water to create a “gravy” they can lap up.

Thawing and Serving Raw Food

Most of our recipes are packaged in 2 lb chubs. Keep them frozen until ready to use, then thaw in the refrigerator or in a warm water bath. Do not cook or microwave raw food—this destroys the beneficial enzymes your pet needs.

Use thawed food within 72 hours.
If repackaging, do so within 24 hours, then refreeze if needed.

A Word About Poop

Feeding a raw diet leads to smaller, less frequent stools because your dog is absorbing more nutrients and ingesting fewer fillers. This is normal and a sign of a healthier diet—not constipation. If your dog seems uncomfortable or is straining, adding a spoonful of canned pumpkin or shredded raw carrot can help.

Safe Handling Guidelines

Keep frozen until ready to thaw and serve.
Thaw in the refrigerator, not on counters.
Wash hands, surfaces, and utensils after handling.
Keep raw food separate from other foods.
Discard or refrigerate uneaten portions within 30 minutes.
Keep raw food away from children.

Need Help Transitioning?

If you have questions about transitioning your pet to raw, we’re here to help! Contact us anytime for personalized guidance on your pet’s raw feeding journey.

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Transitioning to a Raw Diet