NEW TO RAW?
Here's Where to Start
The most asked question we receive is - How do I start?
Transitioning a dog from one food to another is something that most are familiar with in general,
But most of the questions seem to be more specifically rooted in changing from a commercial or cooked diet to a raw diet.
And the answer isn't as difficult as it may seem.
How do I know what protein to start with?
Unless your dog has a known protein allergy, transitioning is fairly simple. Start with one of the less rich proteins- generally one from the fowl family- chicken, turkey, duck, etc. We recommend choosing just one blend for the first two weeks, see how they do & expand from there. Once they have fully transitioned to raw food you can then start trying out new blends.
Stomach Upsets
The Raw Concierge blends do not include any preservatives, artificial nutrients, chemical supplements, or other synthetic ingredients that tend to be the primary cause of stomach upset for dogs & cats.
In fact, most pet parents report back to us that their dogs and/or cats that have been experiencing digestive trouble find quick relief once switched to their new raw diet.
Is my pet constipated?
Raw fed poops are one of the most raved about benefits of a The Raw Concierge diet- because they are much smaller, less frequent and less scented compared to when feeding a commercial diet.
When feeding a raw diet, pets tend to only have bowel movements once or twice per day as opposed to the larger, more frequent bowel movements experienced on a commercial diet. This is not because your pet is constipated, but instead because they are fully absorbing all the nutrients their diet has to offer and therefore expelling less waste.
You may notice a mucousy flim for the first few days after feeding raw. This is completely normal and a sign of their body removing the toxins from their previous diet.
What about portion sizing?
This all depends on your dog's age, breed, weight and activity level.
It will have nothing to do with how much your dog ate previously on their previous commercial diet.
We've created a guide to help you figure out a ballpark feeding amount, but every dog and cat will be different based upon their own individual needs.
When transitioning to raw, you do not need the extended time like when switching between other commercial diets. We suggest taking 3-4 days to fully transition toraw. Add The Raw Concierge blend to their current diet and gradually increase the amount.
In some cases, be it vet directed or necessary due to your pet's current condition, transitioning COLD TURKEY IS ALSO DONE QUITE OFTEN WITH POSITIVE RESULTS.
What protein will my pet like?
You know your pet far better than we ever will and every animal has a different taste palate.
We have chihuahuas who can't get enough red meat and mastiffs who will only eat chicken- it's really all over the spectrum.
We suggest first purchasing an 8 oz portion of new blends to avoid any waste.
Resources For New Raw Feeders
Don't let raw feeding groups intimidate you!
We know some can be a bit...extreme.
Just because you don't throw a whole deer to your dogs for dinner does not make you any less of a committed raw feeder.
There are some great groups out there that are very welcoming to newcomers.
Visit these sites for a wealth of information
PRIMAL POOCH