Switching from dry to raw.

[Yorkie_Love]

I have been doing some reading on here and it seems as though the raw diets are the best for these little guys.

*If* I decide to make the switch to raw how would I go about doing it when my dogs have been on dry kibble for so long? My mother tried raw a while back with her German Shepherds and they were sick the very same night....throwing up, watery stool, etc. I dont want that to happen to my dogs. So how would I go about the switch and what is the best raw diet to feed? I have a 1 year old son so I dont have enough time to make it myself. I am also a vegetarian so this would be hard for me to do anyway....so I would prefer a pre-made raw diet that I can feed them. Do I need to supplement on top of the raw? I am so worried about making them sick....

Ugh....what to do, what to do....

[Wylie's Mom]

*If* I decide to make the switch to raw how would I go about doing it when my dogs have been on dry kibble for so long?

You do a "hard switch", meaning, take away the kibble and just switch to raw; that's how most of us have made the switch.

My mother tried raw a while back with her German Shepherds and they were sick the very same night....throwing up, watery stool, etc. I dont want that to happen to my dogs. So how would I go about the switch and what is the best raw diet to feed?

Geesh! What did she try? I switched both of my guys (one of whom has a history of digestive issues) without a single hitch.

I am also a vegetarian so this would be hard for me to do anyway....so I would prefer a pre-made raw diet that I can feed them. Do I need to supplement on top of the raw?

I am a pescatarian (I eat fish, not meat), but meat doesn't bother me - slaughterhouses do, however. I use premade medallions by Natures Variety - I recommend starting out w/ lamb or venison Raw Frozen Medallions. There is an interactive feeding guide on their website where you enter your dog's weight/activity etc. - so you'll know how many medallions (each medal. is 1 oz.) to give) http://www.naturesvariety.com/conten...DA4Chui2146CA0.

No supplementation is necessary at all w/ raw - which is partly why I switched from homecooking. I also think it's nutritionally superior and philosophically sound. You can learn more about raw here (the many "myths" about raw): http://rawfed.com/myths/

Welcome to YT and good luck with your learning about nutrition - you'll find a lot of support here!

[KathyinCali]

Ann is one of the best to talk to about switching to raw

I just switched Lucy over three weeks ago and she had absolutely no problems. I've found that she likes the chicken best and I've so glad I switched her. The medallions are very convenient! They also come in freeze dried form which I love because we travel a lot.

Question since we are on the subject - Is there a reason to give her a variety? She's doing so well with the chicken is it okay to just keep her with that?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by KathyinCali

Question since we are on the subject - Is there a reason to give her a variety? She's doing so well with the chicken is it okay to just keep her with that?

Hey Friend! Well...there is some thought about acquired allergies out there - where, when dogs have the same thing over and over and over, then there may be a chance of developing allergies to it. I think with raw (and such premium, free range meat), there is less of a chance of that occurring (also bc the immune system should be in such great shape). So, that's where rotating and variety really *is* a great thing.

For me, it's kind of a problem - Wylie will eat anything, anytime. Marcel - nope - he likes his lamb (isn't that similar to Lucy's picky pants?). So, I'm kind of stuck there. I may try to introduce beef and chicken back into Marcel's diet, we'll see. But, that's the whole idea behind rotation - a good thing, if your baby's palette will let you.

[KathyinCali]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hey Friend! Well...there is some thought about acquired allergies out there - where, when dogs have the same thing over and over and over, then there may be a chance of developing allergies to it. I think with raw (and such premium, free range meat), there is less of a chance of that occurring (also bc the immune system should be in such great shape). So, that's where rotating and variety really *is* a great thing.

For me, it's kind of a problem - Wylie will eat anything, anytime. Marcel - nope - he likes his lamb (isn't that similar to Lucy's picky pants?). So, I'm kind of stuck there. I may try to introduce beef and chicken back into Marcel's diet, we'll see. But, that's the whole idea behind rotation - a good thing, if your baby's palette will let you.

Thanks Ann - I think I may try to add variety in a week or so just to see how it goes.

[Yorkiesgotaluvm]

As of 2 months ago I switched to SoJo's Europia food I add raw ground turkey. It has no grains.

It was an easy switch for my Yorkies and they love it. I only give them 1/2 cup of food per day. 1/4 in morning and 1/4 in evening.

It's easier and healthier. I don't know if they need it but I do add missing link vitamins now.


My 13 year old Yorkie was having some health issues, and I talked to my Vet about going raw. He suggested Europia since I wasn't completely confident. He said it will ease me into it If i decide to go that route.

I have to say I won't go back to dry food again. The changes I've seen in my 2 Yorkies speak for themselves.

[autumn star]

I got all of my help when I switched to Raw from Wylie's mom (Ann) and MyFairLacy (Michele). They were great and so helpful. Ann has given you great advice.
Good luck w/the switch!

[RebelBelle]

I switched Jamie to raw several months ago and the first morning he did get sick. But I attributed that to the fact that the food was cold and his stomach was empty (first thing in the morning) and he wasn't used to eating in the morning as he never touched his kibble till lunchtime. And he did eat it really fast. So the next meal I tore it into tinier pieces so it would take him longer to eat it and we haven't had a problem since. Good luck with switching!