The ease of transitioning from kibble to a raw diet will depend on your dog. The dogs' bodies will undergo many physiological changes as the gut microbiome adjusts to the digestion of a different food type.
Although, if given a choice, most dogs will select a species-appropriate, meat-based diet, many kibble-fed dogs have become kibble-addicted. The sugars and palatants added to the kibble appeal to dogs, getting them hooked on a specific food brand.
How to Make the Transition
There are two methods for switching your dog from kibble to fresh food:
- Cold turkey
- Gradual transition
Cold Turkey
Some pet parents prefer the cold turkey method, who choose to get the process done and over with quickly and believe their dog can handle the transition well. This is acceptable for some dogs, but others may have a more difficult time with a sudden diet change.
There are several factors to keep in mind before deciding to switch cold turkey.
Transitioning a senior dog to raw after they have been on kibble their whole life can be a dramatic change for their body. We recommend a gradual switch for senior dogs to be on the safe side, allowing the dog's body to adjust slowly.
There is also a detoxification process a dog may go through when switching from kibble to raw. This can be experienced with a cold-turkey transition or a gradual transition but may worsen if diet changes abruptly.
Common side effects of detoxing from kibble to raw are diarrhea, gas, and even some occasional vomiting.
If you aren't confident enough to believe this is normal when detoxing, the gradual switch will be a better option. We don't want you to give up too quickly and return to kibble without seeing the actual benefits of feeding a raw diet.
Switching Gradually is Often a Better Option
Gradually switching to raw feeding is often easier on a dog's digestive system.
It's a much slower process, allowing the digestive tract to detox slowly. This is ideal for senior dogs, but puppies can also benefit from a gradual transition.
The gradual switch method can be as quick as one week or as long as six months. It all depends on your dog and how he takes to this diet change.
Dogs that have eaten kibble most of their lives tend to have a compromised immune system compared to raw-fed dogs. Kibble-fed dogs commonly have poor gut bacteria as their bodies constantly break down carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and fat.
Allow your dog some time to adjust to its new transition while ruling out any dietary sensitivities they may have. Here are a few suggestions for properly introducing raw foods into your dog's diet:
Begin by Feeding Raw as a Treat
Begin feeding your dog raw treats. Determine what your dog prefers, and gradually increase the amount of raw feed you're offering. If their stools are still healthy after five days, try replacing one of their meals with an all-raw bowl while continuing to monitor their stools. If your stools are still looking good, you can start to transition to raw.
Try Lightly Cooking
Lightly cooking the food is another option. This is often recommended if you have a senior dog, a picky dog, or one you know has a compromised immune system. You start with fresh, thoroughly cooked food on day one and gradually decrease how cooked the food is each day. By day seven, your dog should be entirely eating raw.
Raw and Kibble Together
Raw and kibble together is another method to transition to raw gradually. This is the most common method of transition. You start by adding a small amount of raw food to the kibble and progressively increasing the raw-to-kibble ratio. Or, if you want to span it over a shorter course of time, you can switch to 75% kibble the first day, 50% the second, and so on.
You can feed the raw and kibble together or separately. Kibble digests at a higher pH of around 4, whereas raw meat and bone digest at a lower rate of approximately 1 or 2. Therefore, there is an argument regarding feeding raw and kibble together long-term. In our professional opinion, if your dog is experiencing trouble consuming both together, you can separate them by providing one in the morning and the other in the evening as you transition.
In the short-term transition span, dogs won't likely experience any effects from mixing the two. Of course, as you generally would anyway, observe your dog and monitor how they are doing in their transition regardless of the time frame you choose.
The photo below shows an example of what it would look like if you decide to transfer over one week.
The Detox Process
After your dog has been on a raw diet, its body will generally start to detox between 1-3 months following the change. You may also notice some changes in their overall health and well-being during this time.
The following may occur during detox:
Earwax and eye boogers: As your dog's body detoxifies, some toxins may escape through your dog's ears and eyes. There is no need to worry. Clean out their ears and eyes with a warm, damp washcloth.
Mucus in Stool: This may be alarming if you've never noticed mucus in your dog's stool before. Don't panic. This is a part of the detox process.
Drinking Less Water: A raw diet contains significantly more water than dry commercial kibble, so dogs who eat fresh food are better hydrated. You may notice your dog is drinking less water now that they have transitioned to a raw diet. If you're concerned, you can always add a bit of water or bone broth to your dog's raw meals.
Shedding: You may notice your dog starting to shed more than usual through the detox process, but this will return to normal. Your dog is shedding its old, dead fur and will begin growing a thick, shiny coat.
If You Run Into Trouble
You're probably thrilled about the transition from kibble to raw, but imagine your frustration if your dog isn't as excited as you are. If this is the case, don't give up. You'll get there.
Kibble is full of fat, sugar, and salt, making it hard for your pup to resist. As you likely already know, junk food is often more appealing.
If your dog refuses the raw bowl, stay calm and be patient. Put the raw bowl down and give your dog time to check it out. Remember, this is all new.
Don't worry about your dog taking time to eat. Intermittent fasting is healthy for your dog. It provides its body time to rest and rebalance without using energy for digestion.
Eventually, your dog will often choose the raw bowl over the kibble once it gets a taste.
Above all, remember your dog's body will thank them (and you!) later.
Takeaway Bites
- You can switch to raw cold turkey or gradually over some time.
- Your dog's body will go through a detox process following the switch.
- Dogs may sometimes refuse the raw bowl at first, but their stomachs and bodies will thank you later.
References
- Habib, Rodney; Becker, Karen Shaw. (2021). The Forever Dog. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
- Brady, C. (2020). Feeding dogs dry or raw? The science behind the debate. Farrow Road Publishing.
Course Links
Articles from future units will be accessible once you have completed that unit.
Unit 5 - Kibble Toppers For Your Dog's Bowl
Unit 6 - Become a Poop Inspector-monitoring your dog's health by examining his poop!