If you are reading this, it is likely you have already made the sensible decision to switch your dog onto a raw food diet, and I’m delighted that you are doing the appropriate research beforehand.
 

Although we appreciate that navigating the abundance of contradicting and just confusing information can feel overwhelming. Well at RUDE Dog Food, we pride ourselves on simplicity and transparency, so you will never feel lost in the world of dog nutrition. Nor will you ever have to guess what your dog’s dinner consists of ever again!
 

Transitioning your dog to a raw diet is straightforward and can be done in two different ways.

Once you start the transition it only takes days for you to experience the first and arguably contradictory the most pleasant health benefit of a Raw food diet, Smaller and firmer stools!

“How can my dog’s poo be the most pleasant benefit of a raw food diet?” I hear you ask. 

Well once you pick up a small, firm, less smelly poo, you will hate yourself for having not made the transition sooner!

The benefits go far beyond just a firm poo in the hand of a dog owner. The firmer stools that are created by eating a species-appropriate diet express your dog’s anal glands as they go to the loo. Say goodbye to bum shuffling and unpleasant visits to the vet, and say hello to a healthy rear end. Okay maybe don’t actually say hello to it.
  

In the following days, you will start experiencing a dog with slightly better breath, this will continue the longer they are fed their healthy new diet. The better breath is because of two things. One, a massive reduction in residue and plaque left on the teeth after eating and Two, remaining hydrated throughout dinner time. If you have been feeding your dog any type of dried food you will know that they run directly to the water bowl and desperately lap down as much water as possible. This act of desperation will be a thing of the past once you transition your dog to a raw diet. They will remain appropriately hydrated throughout their meal which enhances their ability to digest the nutrients in their food. As well as keeping a fresher mouth. 

Preparing for the Transition 

Preparing to transition your dog onto a raw diet comes down to one key principle, accepting that your dog is a carnivore and then selecting an appropriate supplier that supports that principle by ensuring no more than 15% of your dog’s diet is made up of vegetation.
 

I repeat, NO MORE than 15% of your dog’s diet should be made up of vegetation!

Once you have found a responsible Dog food supplier like RUDE Dog Food you need to ensure that you order the appropriate raw food. If your dog suffers from certain allergies from say, chicken or beef, then make sure you order the hypoallergenic blend of Lamb & Vension, or the Complete Lamb meals. If not then your dog can enjoy an even larger range of proteins to always be excited at dinner time.
 

You then must ensure that you have enough room in your freezer! Yes, fresh food must be kept cold!

For years we have been indoctrinated with the idea that dogs can just consume cupboard-stored or canned food and somehow still live a healthy existence. Just like human beings, we could survive on, say canned food, but we would be incredibly unhealthy. So when we decide to eat a healthy diet, the first thing we do is cut out hyper-processed nonsense and we head straight to the FRIDGE. Cold fresh food.
 

So head to your freezer, dig out the old loaf of bread that for some reason you decided would be best frozen together, the turkey twizzlers that were discontinued in 2005 and why do you need three packs of peas???
 

Suddenly you discover that you have far more freezer space than you thought, and you dedicate some of this freezer space to the health of your dog. When you’ve got the storage, you are ready to make your order. Here at Rude Dog Food, you can get premium raw dog food delivered to your door the next day!

The actual transition 

The first way, and the most common is a gradual transition. Imagine if you were a vegan, I know, sounds TERRIBLE! But if you were and then you decided to start eating meat again, you wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, just eat a missive steak. Your body likely would be shocked, not be ready to digest this much “foreign” substance and you would probably have an upset stomach.
If your dog has been living on a diet of substandard nutrients and little fresh or real meat they may experience something similar. So you should introduce it gradually. 

An easy starting point is: 

Day 1- ¼ of their meal becomes raw 

Day 2- ½ of their meal becomes raw 

Day 3- ¾ of their meal becomes raw 

And on Day 4 their entire meal and diet moving forward should be made up of high quality raw food. 

This method can be extrapolated over more days if your dog is particularly sensitive or of course less if you have a more robust dog. 

The second way, and a favorite of owners whose dogs have a cast iron stomach is a direct, complete, cold turkey transition away from their old diet to their new healthy whole food and balanced diet. 

The majority of dogs will not experience any issues with this transitory method, although I am aware that as a dog owner you are conscious of how your dog stomach will react to a new food. So it’s a bit of a judgement call for you to make. 

Tips for success: 

1. Stick to a schedule- Consistency is key for digestion and routine. Feed your dog at set times or time and stick to it! They will become accustomed to these dinner times and their bodies will be ready for their food. 
2. Hydration- With a raw diet you will wave goodbye to your dogs desperate lapping of water after eating due to the more hydrating nature of fresh foods. But remember it’s still important to have fresh water available. 
3. Observe your dog- Keep an eye on how they are acting and improving. You will likely start seeing the observational health benefits relatively quickly. This is enough to embolden you in the great decision you’ve made to feed raw food. 

We hope this has been helpful. If you need any more advice, our team is here to help. 

Just contact us at iinfo@rudedogfood.co.uk