Interested in learning more about beginning a raw diet with your pet? Here are some helpful tips in getting started.
Nutrition is complicated and no one has a 100% understanding of diet and nutrition. There is a growing belief, however, that eating a more natural, less processed, diet helps supply the combination of nutrients necessary for good health and long lives.
Dogs and cats are carnivores and anatomically our dogs share a digestive system very similar to that found in wolves. Dogs (and wolves) need diets that are high in animal protein, bulk, and roughage (not plant fiber, but indigestible or poorly digested parts of animals) and low in carbohydrates and caloric density. Cats are also obligate carnivores meaning that they need to consume prey high in protein with moderate amounts of fat and minimal amounts of carbohydrates.
Note: While a raw diet can be very beneficial for most dogs and cats there are some pets with chronic digestive issues which may have a difficult time adjusting to a raw diet. In addition, pets undergoing cancer treatment have a suppressed immune system which results in their susceptibility to bacterial infections and should avoid a raw diet.
Care should always be taken whenever handling raw meat. Your dog or cat, however, are not humans. They have a specialized digestive system which is much shorter than ours and much higher level of acidity. Good news, this helps them break down foods we couldn’t digest and it also creates an environment that is harmful to bad bacteria. Of course, you will also feed your pet fresh and USDA inspected foods and approved raw meaty bones. The raw food we carry is of the highest standards and great care is taken to bring you the freshest and safest options available.
Variety is key! Four Muddy Paws recommends rotating between three different meats and three different brands to ensure your pet is getting the variety they need in their diet!
Feeding a raw diet begins as a journey to the ultimate destination of your pet experiencing the benefits of a fresh, raw food diet. But this process can be daunting and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In just a bit, you’ll be a raw feeding pro too!
The first step is Trial and Transition.
Try a bit of raw with your pet first. We always have samples of many of our raw formulas for you to try at home. We can also share with you lots of tips and tricks to helping your dog or cat get used to a fresh, raw diet if they’re immediately enamored with it. Remember, this is very different for many of our pets who’ve only experienced a dry, processed diet up to this point.
If your dog is enjoying the experience of fresh, raw foods then it’s time to jump in and begin the transition. Every dog is different but generally speaking starting with ¼ of the daily recommended amount and reducing their regular dry diet by ¼ is a good place to start. Then begin to slowly transition to 100% fresh, raw foods within 1-2 weeks depending on how your dog is doing. Doing a daily check of their stools and temperament is a good way to monitor their progress. You might see loose stools in the beginning as their body adjusts to a fresh, raw food diet and that’s perfectly normal. The slower you go the easier it will be. You can also add in a probiotic to help their gut microbiome adjust to fresh foods and add in a bit of raw goat milk or pumpkin while they’re transitioning. Over time, you’ll see smaller and less smelly stools, which is bonus we can all appreciate!
The second step is how much to feed
Once your dog has transitioned to their raw diet, you’ve got to figure out their daily feeding amounts. But remember, this is only a starting point. Some dogs require more food depending on their own metabolism, activity level, age, breed and other factors. You know your own dog best. Just monitor their weight and adjust accordingly. Here’s a good guide to help you get started.
We like to use your dog’s body weight as a guide and use a % to know how much raw to feed.
% of Total Body Weight to Feed Daily
1.5% Weight Loss
2% for Non-Active Dogs*
(most of our dogs will fall into this level to start unless their exercising 1+ hour per day)
2.5% for Active Dogs to Maintain Weight
3% for Slight Weight Gain
3.5% for Significant Weight Gain
4% Kittens and Puppies (8 weeks to one year)
4.5% Kittens and Puppies (4-8 weeks)
4% - 8% Pregnant or Lactating
Average Weight 2% of Adult Weight: Example
Daily amounts - Feed between 2-3 meals per day
10 lb – 0.2 lb or 3.2 oz
15 lb – 0.3 lb or 4.8 oz
20 lb – 0.4 lb or 3.2 oz
30 lb – 0.6 lb or 9.6 oz
40 lb – 0.8 lb or 12.8 oz
50 lb – 1 lb – 16 oz
Moving to a Feeding A Fresh Raw Food Diet Pro Tips:
As with all of diets we do recommend that your pet’s digestive system is healthy and active. Adding digestive enzymes to their diet ahead of the transition to raw is important.
Sometimes a sudden change in diet can disrupt your pets digestive system if they’re not used to a variety already. As with any food change we recommend a 10-day transition.
Start your raw diet focused on one type of prepared diet or just meat and bone. We find that most dogs do best on a chicken or turkey diet. Gradually introduce more variety after about 3-4 weeks. Then you can begin to rotate through other proteins. Variety, as with all foods, is the key to proper nutrition. Our prepared diets are intended to be rotated.
Provide your dog with a recreational, raw marrow, bone every 3-5 days. They provide physical and mental stimulation and also provide terrific dental benefits. Clean teeth are a tell-tale sign of a raw-fed dog!
If your dog is particularly sensitive, scoop the marrow out of the bones the first few times. The rich and fatty marrow, while delicious, can upset the stomach of some dogs.
If your dog doesn’t take the bone right away, hold it with one hand and tug a little to create a little interest. If a bone becomes too small and a possible choking hazard, offer a treat in exchange for the bone.
Note: if your dog is a very aggressive chewer, avoid the marrow bones. They tend to want to eat the bone and could possibly break a tooth. Best to stick with neck bones or chicken backs for them.
You know your dog. Each dog is unique and you’ll find some foods they love and others that they don’t tolerate as well. Don’t worry we carry many options for you to rotate through. Sometimes these more troublesome foods can be added back into their diet once they’ve made a full transition.
For more information on beginning a raw diet, in addition to our vendor partner sites, we recommend the following resources:
Raw Meaty Bone (RMB) Books:
The BARF Diet – Give Your Dog A Bone/Grow Your Pup With Bones by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, B.V. Sc.
Raw Dog Food: Make It Easy For You and Your Dog by Carina Beth MacDonald
Switching to Raw by Susan K. Johnson (more info)
Raw, Meaty Bones by Tom Lonsdale, DVM (more info) Follows the “Whole Prey” Diet
Home Prepared Bone Free Diet Books:
The Forever Dog Book by Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Shaw Becker
The Forever Dog LIFE Book by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker and Rodney Habib
Dr. Pitcairns Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard Pitcairn, DVM
Holistic Guide For A Healthy Dog by Wendy Vollard and Kerry Brown, DVM
Natural Food Recipes for Healthy Dogs: Everything You Need to Know to Make the Greatest Food For Your Friend by Carol Boyle (for the cook – great recipes to share with your dog!)
K9Kitchen: Your Dog’s Diet by Monica Segal (more info)
Additional health and nutrition resources:
The Complete Herbal Handbook for Dogs and Cats by Juliette de Bairacli Levy
The Nature of Animal Healing by Martin Goldstein, DVM
Homeopathic Care for Dogs and Cats by Don Hamilton, DVM
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