If you finally decide to switch your dog to a raw diet, congratulations! You made a great decision. Your pet will experience a healthy natural diet that will thrive on. It’s important to know that the transition can be challenging if not handled with care. So, in this article, we have provided you with some dos and don’ts if you are planning to switch to a raw pet diet in a healthy way that makes the process easier for your pet’s comfort.
Don’t Overdo It with The Organs
It is sensible if you don’t want to skip the organ meats. They are significant because they are full of nutrients that cannot be found in muscle meat. However, it is suggested to introduce them slowly and consider organ meats as at least 10% of the total diet (25% is better).
![Dos and Don'ts on Switching to a Raw Pet Diet](https://bonespetboutique.com/wp-content/uploads/2-2-1024x1024.jpg)
Some organ meats such as liver can cause some pretty nasty loose stools in puppies who have never experienced them before. If your puppy is new to raw food, you should wait till you see a good two or more weeks with solid stools before introducing organ meats to your puppy. Then you can add them in gradually instead of feeding one big meal of liver.
Don’t Forget the Supplements
Even if you’re feeding natural and organic meats full of nutrients, your puppy will benefit from some supplement intake. Here are some supplements that are better to be added to your puppy’s diet:
โข Phytoplankton โ A food nutrition that includes nearly every nutritious ingredient that your pet needs
โข Probiotics โ A friendly bacteria that help to protect the body from viruses and bacteria
โข Digestive enzymes โ They break down and absorb nutrients from food
โข Bovine colostrum โ This helps to build a strong immune system
Do Remember the Other Important Puppy Stuff
You always have to make sure that your puppy is taking plenty of fresh, non-chlorinated water. Also, having plenty of fresh air and exercise is very important for them. It is recommended to take your puppy outside for short play or training sessions instead of forced walks. If your puppy is too young, you have to keep the walks short. For instance, you can walk your four-month-old puppy for 20 minutes, twice a day, but once he turns to seven-month, he can be walked for 35 minutes, twice a day.
Do Remember Less Water Consumption Occurs After the Transition
Many pet owners who switch their pet to a raw food diet see that their pet is drinking far less water than usual, and there is a decrease in water consumption. They become concerned, but this is normal because your pet is now just getting some of their required hydration from their new raw diet. Raw food diets have a lot higher moisture and water content than kibble. Therefore, your dog is not only eating a healthy balanced diet but also is hydrating himself at the same time. It is just better to continue making fresh water available at all times during the day.