Dog Food Recipes

Raw Dog Food: What You Should Expect When You Make The Change

Stool – Changes to Expect

An improvement in the smell and decrease in the size of your pet’s stool will be one of the first welcome changes that you will notice when you put your dog on a raw dog food diet. Dogs that are fed a fresh food or raw food diet will have stools that are firmer and smaller, as more nutrition from the food is being absorbed in their bodies.

Some dogs will strain slightly at the hard stools. A lot of people don’t realize that this is a beneficial size effect, as straining will help the dog to naturally express its anal glands, which in turn reduces risk of infection.

At times you will occasionally see some consistency variations in the stool. Again, you needn’t be worried about this unless your dog is having diarrhea for an extended period of time.  Don’t confuse soft stool for diarrhea.

You may also occasionally see a film around your dog’s stool, especially during transition. What you are seeing is the malicious toxins leaving your pet’s body, which is certainly beneficial.

Detoxification: Getting “Unsick” 
When switching your dog to a more healthy, natural fresh food diet, some dogs – especially older ones who have been eating kibble for a long time – may experience a detoxification process.

This condition may be a bit unnerving – you may see mucus coating your dog’s stool, excess shedding, dry skin, runny eyes, or other symptoms. It is important to know that these symptoms are not signs of an illness, in fact, they are actually signs that your dog is getting “unsick” of all the toxins that have been building up in his body over the years.

The situation will resolve itself with time, (generally a week or two, but up to a couple months in some cases) as new cells must replace old ones in order for the detox process to be completed. A heightened exercise regimen, along with drinking ample water that has been filtered, can be helpful in moving the detoxification procedure along.

It is also important to know that if your dog has been on any long-term prescriptions or has been taking antibiotics or steroids, the detoxification process will take longer. You should always consult with your veterinarian if you believe your dog is manifesting severe problems connected to the diet change.

Dogs Who Have Existing Health Problems

If your dog suffers from digestive disorders or a sensitive stomach, there are supplements that can be added to the diet before and during the change in diet. These are generally used daily for the first 4-6 weeks.

Digestive enzymes aid in the digestion of foods and nutrient absorption. This is an important part of the process when you change from kibble to a raw, fresh diet as your dog’s system will need some time to adjust to the enzymes that are required in order to digest the new raw foods.

Probiotics are residential gut microflora (essentially “good bacteria”) that balance and neutralize “bad bacteria” and help promote effective digestion and a healthy digestive tract.

Prebiotics are supplements that provide food to help the “good bacteria” from the probiotics to thrive. A small dose will provide resident bacteria with the food they need to flourish.

Adding kefir or yoghurt to your dog’s meal can be a source for some probiotics – provided your dog tolerates dairy products well. Many dogs that have problems tolerating cow dairy products will be able to tolerate goat dairy products much easier, which also offer a wider spectrum of good bacteria.

If your pet is prone to vomiting immediately after a meal or experiences various digestive upsets should be stopped from gulping their food down too quickly. Arranging their food so that it is less compacted by separating it with objects that the dog must eat around, will generally help them to eat at a more leisurely pace.

If your pet is experiencing runny/loose stools, constipation or vomiting at times other than after meals, slow down the transition process and add cooked pumpkin (canned is ok) to their meal. Use 1-2 tablespoons per cup of food. Pumpkin is one of those miracle foods that can help with constipation and loose stools by regulating your dog’s system.

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