Transitioning from Dried Food to RAW

Transitioning from dried food to raw is generally more difficult for cats than dogs, and more so for older cats.  As you cat owners know cats are fussy!  Some cats make the transition smoothly others take quite some time.  The main rule to follow is Do Not Mix Dried Food and Raw in the same meal.  The digestive system copes with dried food very differently to raw.  Mixing the two may result in a pet with an upset stomach and diarrhoea.

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Here are some tips:

  • Do not leave a bowl of biscuits out for your pet to eat at their leisure.  Only offer food at meal times then put it away.

  • Offer the raw food at room temperature or ever so slightly warmed, as it emits more smell

  • Offer ONE new type of meat for a few days starting with chicken.  Next introduce a red meat such as rabbit, lamb.  Leave adding tripe/offal, fish until they are transitioned. Not all cats like fish.

  • Meaty bones.  Yes cats chew bones as well.  Ensure they are the soft bones such as necks, wings to start.  For dogs, feed bones of the appropriate size for your dog i.e. do not give a labrador that gulps its food a chicken wing.  For cats, you can smash them first to help your cat adjust.

  • Ensure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times

  • If your pet has not eaten all day yet they refuse the meal offered, do not take the approach of they will eat when hungry and persist with only giving raw, especially with cats.  It is dangerous for cats not to eat for longer than 24 hours.

  • Some pets will need a lot of patience from you

  • If your cat is really resisting try starting with a good quality canned food first for a while, then try raw meat again.

  • Be prepared for your pet to appear to love a new meat for a couple of days then turn its nose up at it on another day.

 

Digestive upsets
If your pet does get an upset stomach or diarrhoea stop that particular meat. You can give the following to help settle the issue

  • Slippery elm powder (mix with water and add to food) - 1/4 teaspoon

  • Pumpkin – lightly cooked, mashed and added to food

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