Going Raw?

Here are Some Things You Should Know

Can any dog eat a raw diet?  

Yes! Big or small, active or not, young AND old can benefit from a raw diet.

Does my dog need a transition to raw?

Adult dogs who have never consumed raw meat will require a transition period to ensure a healthy switch with solid stools. Transition periods typically take 1-2 weeks but should depend on the dog. Puppies require either a cold turkey switch or a transition with a complete and balanced premade grind.

Can my dog eat kibble and raw mixed together?

Yes. Dogs are able to simultaneously digest different types of food without affecting their gastrointestinal health.Recipes can be split if you wish to feed half raw and half kibble.

Do I need to add a multi-vitamin to my dog's raw meals?

Since all our recipes are complete and balanced there is no need to add any additional multi-vitamins. Some vitamins(like vitamin A) are toxic in hgh doses which is why its important to only go off of the recipe ingredients.

I just transitioned my dog to a raw diet and they have loose or runny stool. is that normal? How can I help?

Yes it is normal. Switching a dogs food (even kibble to kibble) can cause a disruption in the GI tract. An easy remedy to help your dog is adding pumpkin puree or avocado to one or two meals.

How long is a defrosted meal in the fridge good for?

Defrosted meat in the fridge will last up to 5 days. Anything longer should be tossed to be safe.

Can my dog choke from a raw bone?

The short answer is yes. Choking is a risk associated with anything a dog puts in its mouth, including kibble. Monitoring your dog while it eats will minimize choking. Also, as your dog's meal formulators, we ensure your dog is eating appropriately sized bones to decrease the risk of swallowing bones whole which can cause choking.

My dog isn't drinking as much water as before the switch to raw, is that normal?

Yes. On average, a raw meal will be 50-70% water. Your dog is drinking a lot less because they are getting plenty of moisture through their food. Always be sure to have plenty of clean drinking water on hand but drinking less is normal.

My dog only poops once a day, is that normal?

Yes. Dogs fed a raw diet will utilize most of the food they consumed. That paired with the moisture content of rawfood being well over 50% results in fewer and smaller stools.

My dog won't eat certain ingredients like liver. What can I do?

This is quite common among dogs, especially adults. Most often it is the texture of the food ingredient. Feeding ingredients such as liver frozen can help dogs having any texture issues. Other concerns such as "picky eaters" are also quite common. The best method to un-teach pickiness is to feed the undesirable items first and once consumed feed the more desirable bits. This conditions the dog in a similar way that training treats do.

How many meals is one recipe?

A single recipe is good for an entire day of eating. This recipe can be split to accommodate a dog or puppy who eatsmultiple meals a day. Simply divide each recipe weight by the number of meals your dog consumes per day.

EX: a dog who eats 3 times a day - Pork loin 150g/3= 50g per meal.

How many times a day should I feed my dog?

The frequency of feeding an adult dog is entirely dependent upon you and your dogs' preferences. The only requirement for multiple feedings would be for a puppy. Puppies under six months old should be fed 3-4 times a day. Puppies older than six months old can be fed 2 times a day.

For Us, Your Dog's Health

Is the Heart of the Matter

Meet Jeanette, the animal nutritionist and the creator behind Dogs Like it Raw.

After learning that feeding her dog a healthier diet as a puppy could have prevented a tetanus infection that suddenly took her canine companion's life, Jeanette has dedicated her time to educating pet parents on proper nutrition. She personally curates and oversees the sourcing of local, sustainable raw food for each recipe and is passionate about making raw food diets accessible to all pets.