For dogs and cats that have more sensitive stomachs, their diet can still consist of a raw diet and a kibble diet however if you notice any issues, it could be advised to feed these two diets at different time, for example feed raw in the morning and their other diet at night, or vice-versa.
Yes, it is safe to add raw food to kibble for your dog's diet, as long as you introduce the raw food gradually to give your dog's stomach bacteria time to adapt. Mixing raw and kibble is nothing your pet can't handle, as their digestive systems are capable of processing a variety of food types.
Feeding Styles
Some choose to feed one type of food in the morning and the other at night. For example, the dog would be 100% kibble in the morning and 100% raw at night. In contrast, others choose to feed 50/50 within the bowl. For instance, the bowl would be 50% kibble and 50% raw every meal.
While some people believe feeding once a day is best because it mimics how dogs ate in the wild, how often you feed your dog really comes down to what works best for you and your pup. In a recent poll, 75% of We Feed Raw customers said they feed their adult dogs twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
“If you're currently feeding a fully kibble diet and you want to, say, increase to a 50/50 ratio of both raw and kibble, you'll introduce the raw slowly over a 4-6 day period. By day six, you should be able to feed 50/50 ratio with no problem at all.”
Kibble (or the starch it contains) will increase the pH of the stomach. The same would happen if you fed your raw meals with sweet potatoes or other starchy foods. The enzyme called pepsin is responsible for breaking the protein in your dog's meal into its individual building blocks, amino acids.
Puppies should be fed 5-6% of their growing body weight and Adult dogs should be fed 2-3% of their ideal body weight. Some dogs may need, more or less to maintain proper weight. We recommend feeding any dogs over the age of 6 months twice a day.
They really can have too much of a good thing. A high calorie count affects growth both directly through the excess of nutrients and indirectly through excess growth hormone activity. Overfeeding increases the risk so 'free feeding' is not recommended.
Feed approximately 2-3% of your dog's weight daily and split this between two meals. For example, a 50 pound dog would need ½ to ¾ of a pound raw dog food per meal. Very active or working dogs may need more and less active "couch-potato" dogs may need less.
Feeding a raw dog food or cat food diet is a naturally great diet where animals lose body fat and gain body muscle. However, just because your pet is eating a raw diet doesn't mean your pet won't put weight on, especially if they are over eating or suffering from a lack of exercise.
Once you go raw, is there no going back to kibble? There are plenty of myths surrounding the feeding of raw and dry dog food, but the fact is that mixing them does no harm. That's as long as you're feeding a high-quality kibble and not dry food containing large amounts of fillers.
The transition from raw to kibble can be done gradually or “cold turkey.” If possible, a gradual transition is the best option for dogs in general. While some dogs have no problems with a sudden transition, it's well known that a large portion of dogs will have an upset stomach when food is transitioned suddenly.
Adding water to your dog's food can help increase their overall fluid intake. Remember that decreased thirst could be a sign of an underlying medical problem so if you dog's drinking habits suddenly and significantly changed, talk to your veterinarian.
First things first, raw pet food can actually make your dog poop less! This is because your pet is now ingesting food that is being digested and properly utilized by the body, resulting in less waste. Plus, another of the benefits of feeding raw is your dog's poop may be less smelly.
Because your dog will be consuming fewer carbohydrates and other filler ingredients, they will also spend less time and energy digesting their food; while kibble stays in a dog's stomach for 7-9 hours, dogs can digest raw meat in only 1-2 hours.
As raw dog food becomes more mainstream, many pet parents are beginning to notice their dogs prefer raw over kibble from a taste perspective too. The wide variety of protein options offered with raw dog food is also an important factor in deciding between raw dog food vs kibble.
Although research is still in its infancy, there is promising evidence that a raw diet can drastically improve canine cognitive and mental health, leading to improved behavior and an overall higher quality of life. In this blog post from Raw K9, we answer the question of whether a raw meat diet means a happier dog.
It will take between one-to-two weeks to see the benefits. When transitioning to a raw diet, many raw feeding nutritionists suggest not mixing raw food with kibble in the same meal as different enzymes are required to digest protein and carbohydrate, but in our experience, most dogs can cope.
Raw diets contain more moisture, so your dog won't need as much water to stay hydrated and digest it properly. Other thirst factors include illness, lactation, age, and medications.
Raw food, especially meat, contains bacteria, parasites and other pathogens that would normally be killed during the cooking process. So feeding raw food brings extra risks, not just to your pet's health but also to other people in your household.
Eating raw meat regularly can increase risk of nutritional deficiencies. A 2011 study from Cambridge University found 60% of dogs on a diet of bones and raw food had nutritional imbalances.
How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog By Weight (KG)? As a general rule, dogs should eat approximately 2-5% of their body weight in raw daily food. This will vary depending on the dog's energy and activity levels.
Fruits like apples, pears, and watermelon all make excellent additions to a raw diet. Dogs love their sweet taste, and they offer plenty of vitamins and minerals with minimal extra calories. Make sure you keep your dog's portions small to avoid excess sugar, and don't give him any grapes!
If, at any point during the diet transition, your dog displays concerning signs such as changes in appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, you should proceed more slowly. And if you have transitioned gradually and your dog is still experiencing stomach upset, it is best to consult with your veterinarian.
According to most raw feeders, dogs should eat muscle meat (hamburger, chicken, turkey), as well as a healthy array of organ meat (heart, liver, kidneys), whole fish, and raw meaty bones (aka, RMBs).