Transition / Starting Raw
- RFFDMSUK
- Dec 31, 2024
- 7 min read
🥩 Transitioning a Dog to Raw Feeding
A structured transition helps dogs adjust comfortably to a fresh, minimally processed diet. Most dogs adapt quickly, but understanding the process ensures a smoother experience for both dog and guardian.
A direct switch works well for the majority of dogs and is widely used across all ages—from young puppies to senior dogs—because it provides clear dietary consistency from day one.
🩺 Health Considerations Before Switching
A raw transition is a dietary change, so it’s sensible to consider your dog’s current health status.
A recent veterinary check is helpful if your dog hasn’t had one.
Dogs with existing medical conditions may need tailored guidance from a pro‑raw or holistic vet or a qualified nutrition professional.
If your dog is on prescription medication, veterinary approval is important before making dietary changes.
HUA Dalmatians require a modified approach due to purine‑processing genetics. Our Dalmatian blog and the Raw Fed Dalmatians Facebook group offer breed‑specific guidance.
🛠️ Useful Equipment for Raw Feeding
A few practical tools make raw feeding easier and safer:
Digital kitchen scales for accurate portioning
Defrosting board to safely speed up thawing
Freezer space large enough for rotating stock and storing bulk orders
🏪 Raw Food Brands Commonly Used by Owners
Different brands offer different textures, bone ratios, and protein options. These examples reflect what many raw feeders choose based on availability and preference.
Budget‑Friendly
Durham Animal Feeds — 454g blocks or 500g trays, single‑protein options.
Tripe‑Free Options
Often chosen for dogs with sensitivities or those who do better without tripe.
4PAWSRAW 80/10/10
Dougies 80/10/10
Cotswold Butchers Block Range
Naked Dog Pure Range
Prodog Raw Pure Range
Tripe‑Containing Options
Tripe can be nutritious but may not suit every dog.
Henley Raw Just Range (Ox and Lamb include 30% tripe)
Some dogs experience itching or stool changes with tripe. If this happens, tripe‑free feeding for 12 weeks helps assess tolerance.
Henley Raw also offers a wide variety of recipes, making it easy to rotate proteins.
🐕 Protein Allergies and Sensitivities
True protein allergies are uncommon, but sensitivities can occur.
Many dogs with dry/kibble sensitivities transition well to raw.
Confirmed chicken allergy? Many owners begin with Cotswold Butchers Block Turkey.
Blood tests showing multiple protein “positives” can be misleading; holistic veterinary guidance is recommended.
If intolerances are suspected but untested, the standard transition plan is usually appropriate.
Budget brands may use mixed offal or bones from other species, which can complicate strict single‑protein feeding.
🍼 If Your Dog Was Previously Raw Fed
Not all raw diets are balanced or consistent. A short reset helps stabilise digestion.
Feed 3 days of boneless chicken or turkey (whichever protein you’re transitioning with).
This supports digestive comfort before introducing full 80/10/10 meals.
🥩 Three‑Week Protein Transition Plan
Introducing proteins gradually helps you observe tolerance and maintain digestive stability.
Week 1
Chicken OR Turkey (80/10/10)
Use gut support and general health supplements if desired.
Week 2
Introduce Beef OR Duck using a gradual ratio shift:
Day 1: ¼ new protein
Day 2: ½ new protein
Day 3: ¾ new protein
Day 4–7: 100% new protein
Week 3
Repeat the same process with Lamb OR Pork.
At the end of Week 3, gut support supplements can be reduced unless stools still need firming.
🦴 Managing Bone Content
Bone percentage varies between brands, especially poultry.
If stools become white, crumbly, or hard, dilute with boneless meat.
If stools are loose, allow a few days for adjustment or use gut support.
Always check minces for large bone fragments before feeding.
Our stool‑consistency blog offers more detail on what to expect.
PLEASE NOTE: If your dog struggles with bone content consistently go to the Microbiome section for more support
📌 Key Transition Tips
Choose single‑protein 80/10/10 meals for the first three weeks.
Keep boneless mince available to adjust bone levels.
Monitor stools daily to understand how your dog is adapting.
Maintain consistency—variety comes later.
🥩 Step‑by‑Step Transition Guide
Step 1: Calculate Feeding Amounts
Use our website tools:
Transition Breakdown Calculator (helps estimate how much to buy for Weeks 1–3)
Step 2: Choose Supplements for the First 3 Weeks
Supplements are optional but can support digestive comfort and general wellbeing.
Gut Support Options:
General Health Options:
After 3 weeks, gut support can be used occasionally, and supplements list can be continued or replaced with fresh foods.
Step 3: Find a Supplier
Use our Supplier Map to locate local or Nationwide suppliers (UK-based)
Advertisement
Step 4: Begin the Transition
Start raw feeding the morning after your dog’s final non‑raw meal.
🦴 Week‑by‑Week Overview
Week 1: Chicken or Turkey
Feed single‑protein 80/10/10
Use gut support and general health supplements
Add Bone Broth: Alexander’s Natural OR Karnlea (or make your own with our Bone Broth Blog)
Include 2–3 servings of oily fish and egg across the week
Common early symptoms:
Foamy vomit — often linked to an empty stomach; offer a small snack like a bit of JR Pet Products Pate a few hours before the symptoms usually appears
Regurgitation — try a slow feeder
Loose stools — usually settle; if diarrhoea occurs more than three times, seek veterinary advice
Hard stools — add boneless meat
Week 2: Beef
Follow the gradual introduction method.
Week 3: Lamb
Repeat the same pattern.
By the end of Week 3, most dogs are fully transitioned.
🔹 Breed‑Specific Considerations
Blue, Fawn, Merle, or Lilac Dogs
These colours are linked to a genetic predisposition for coat‑related conditions such as Colour Dilution Alopecia (CDA).
Nutrient‑dense herbal blends may support normal skin and coat structure:
Dorwest Keepers Mix
Kelp Seaweed
Easy Greens
River & Wren Seaweed Topper
Use 2–3 days per week, avoiding ingredient overlap.
CDA is genetic; supplements support general nutrition but do not treat or prevent the condition. Veterinary diagnosis is important if symptoms appear.
🍖 Expanding the Diet After Transition
Once the initial three weeks are complete:
Introduce raw meaty bones using our Bones Guide
Explore different brands and complete meals using our Raw Brands Guide
Add new proteins gradually
Aim for 5+ proteins per week over time
Introduce vegetables and fruits using our Feeding Guide
Explore enrichment foods such as day‑old chicks or ducklings
Review our Supplements List for long‑term options
Supplier deals can help reduce costs during the expansion phase.
🦴 When the Microbiome Influences Bone Digestibility
Even when owners rotate proteins, switch brands, or choose softer bone sources, some dogs still struggle to digest bone comfortably. In these cases, it’s helpful to consider not just the type of bone, but the state of the dog’s gut microbiome.
The microbiome — the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract — plays a major role in how well a dog can break down and utilise nutrients, including bone. When this microbial community becomes imbalanced (a state often referred to as dysbiosis), dogs may find it harder to digest bone, even when the bone content is appropriate for most dogs.
This is not a diagnosis, but an observation that the digestive environment may not be functioning optimally.
How Dysbiosis Can Affect Bone Digestibility
A balanced microbiome supports:
Efficient breakdown of food
Proper stool formation
Comfortable digestion
Normal nutrient absorption
When the microbiome is disrupted, dogs may show signs such as:
Consistently chalky or crumbly stools
Straining to pass stools
Difficulty tolerating bone across multiple proteins or brands
A pattern of digestive discomfort when bone is included
In these cases, the issue is often not the bone itself, but the dog’s reduced ability to process it due to microbial imbalance.
When a Dog Struggles With Bone Across All Brands and Proteins
If a dog consistently struggles with bone — regardless of:
Protein source
Brand
Bone density
Bone type (cortical vs trabecular)
Grinding method
— this pattern can suggest that the digestive system may need a gentler approach while the underlying imbalance is explored.
This is where a temporary nutritional adjustment can be extremely helpful.
A Short‑Term, Microbiome‑Friendly Feeding Strategy
When persistent difficulty digesting bone is observed, many nutrition‑focused owners choose to:
1. Feed Boneless Meals Temporarily
This removes the immediate digestive challenge and allows the gut to settle.
2. Add Ground Bone Separately
Brands such as AniForte sell finely ground bone that allows owners to:
Control the exact amount added
Introduce bone gradually
Adjust the level based on stool quality
Avoid the density variations found in whole-bone minces
This approach gives the dog the minerals they need without overwhelming the digestive system.
3. Add Offal
Including fresh offal separately ensures the diet remains balanced while bone is reduced. This also allows owners to adjust quantities gently and consistently.
These steps are nutritional tools, not medical treatments, and are used to support comfort while further information is gathered.
3. Carry Out a Microbiome Test
To understand what’s happening inside the gut, many owners choose to run a microbiome test. In the UK, a popular option is:
Use our discount code 20DISC to save 20% off the cost of the test.
A microbiome test can provide insight into:
Beneficial vs opportunistic bacteria
Diversity levels
Potential imbalances
How well the gut environment supports digestion
Why This Approach Works Well
This short‑term strategy:
Reduces digestive strain
Allows the gut to stabilise
Maintains nutritional balance
Gives owners control over bone levels
Provides time to gather data through microbiome testing
Helps identify whether the issue is bone density or gut imbalance
Once the microbiome is better understood — and, if needed, supported through diet — many dogs can gradually return to whole raw meaty bones or standard 80/10/10 minces more comfortably.
Final Thoughts
A structured transition helps dogs adjust comfortably to raw feeding while supporting digestive stability and nutritional balance. With consistent feeding, appropriate protein rotation, and careful observation, most dogs adapt quickly and thrive on a fresh, minimally processed diet.
