There are two ways to switch your pet to raw food, gradually or using the “cold turkey” method.
- The Gradual Method:
The gradual method is ideal for older pets or pets with sensitive stomachs. Essentially, with the gradual method, you slowly introduce raw meat into your pet’s diet. You begin by feeding both the current food and raw food at different times of the day. We recommend gradually decreasing the amount of kibble (or current food) fed in the morning while increasing the amount of raw food fed in the evening over a week or two.
Please wait to introduce raw meaty bones (Turkey Necks and Chicken Necks) until your pet has been on full raw for 7-10 days.
Example feeding plan: Think of your pet's daily intake adding up to 100%. Begin in the morning by feeding about 75% of their daily food intake using their current kibble (or other food). Then, in the evening, give them about 25% of their daily food intake using the new raw food. Feed this percentage until your pet’s stool is healthy looking.
Every few days, begin decreasing the percentage of kibble and increasing the percentage of raw food.
- Days 1-4: AM 75% kibble (or current food) and PM 25% raw food
- Days 5-8: AM 50% kibble (or current food) and PM 50% raw food
- Days 9-12: AM 25% kibble (or current food) and PM 75% raw food
- Day 13 - 100% raw food diet!
2. The Cold Turkey Method:
When using the cold turkey method, you immediately switch your pet to raw without slowly transitioning. If your pet is young and healthy without digestive or stomach issues, you may be able to use this method.
If you choose this method, we recommend fasting your pet for 24 hours from all foods (but they should have plenty of fresh water). This fast will clear their current food from the digestive system.
On day two (after the fast), you can begin feeding your pet raw food. We recommend starting with Oma’s Pride Signature Mixes (for dogs) or Oma’s Pride Complete Meals. These specific products contain bone and will help the digestive tract prepare to eat whole bones. We also recommend starting with chicken or turkey proteins as they are milder, easier to digest, and contain less fat.
Please wait to introduce raw meaty bones (Turkey Necks and Chicken Necks) until your pet has been on full raw for 7-10 days.
In addition, we strongly recommend adding one of our daily supplements, like Digestive Performance or Fundamental Vitality, to ease your pet into a raw food diet. Both of these supplements contain probiotics to help regulate a healthy digestive tract.