Patience is important when introducing a new raw meal to your pup. Some dogs would love it right away, others may not be too sure about it and will need extra time to adjust. Both scenarios are perfectly normal, as raw dog food is very different compared to kibble your pup might need some time to get used to. Give your pup extra time to eat their meal and place any leftovers back in the fridge for their next meal.
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When introducing raw dog food to your pet, we recommend starting with easily digestible white protein such as chicken or turkey blends. After a couple of days of feeding your pup one of these blends try introducing higher in iron and nutrients red meat blends such as beef, lamb and pork.
Many puppies and young dogs transition to a raw pet food diet easily without the addition of any supplements. If you’re introducing raw dog food to a senior dog or a dog with a prior history of digestive issues however, your pup may benefit from addition of probiotics to their raw meals for the first few weeks. This would support their gut’s microflora (that are naturally present in the dog's gut), which enhances digestion and absorption of nutrients.
When making the switch from kibble for some dogs a gradual method is the best way to go. Try serving your pup 75% kibble and 25% raw (we recommend serving the raw meal separate from the kibble as they are being digested by your pup at a different rate) and increasing the raw ratio gradually over a couple of days throughout the week.
Another way that may help to make the transition smoother for you pup is serving the food after it has sat at a room temperature for 30-20 min. Eating a cold meal quickly, early in the transition stage may cause some pups to throw up. Everyday reduce the amount of time the food is sitting outside of the fridge prior to serving until your pup is eating the food straight from the refrigerator.
When it comes to safety practices of the raw dog food meals for your pup, we recommend maintaining the same practice as you would for yourself when bringing raw meat into your home. Store Nutri Raw meals in the freezer, securely packaged, until it’s time to thaw in order to prevent bacteria growth. To thaw your Nutri Raw meals, remove the container from your freezer and place in the fridge to thaw. Once the meal has thawed, portion and serve. Store any unused food closed in the fridge for up to 3 days, at temperatures lower than 4°C. Avoid leaving your pet’s food out in the room temperature for a long period of time while feeding. Wash your dog bowls and utensils with warm soapy water after your pup is finished eating. It’s important you do not thaw, refreeze and thaw again raw dog food as this increases the risk of bacteria growth.
