Switching to raw

Jakeyjake · Nov 21, 2014

I would like to switch Stella to Natures Variety Instinct Raw (duck) frozen. I have read through some of the previous threads and I know this topic is like beating a dead horse, but I just want to know if anyone is feeding there pup this brand of food and what was the transition like? The pkg. states that to transition, you should mix with a little of the existing food they are on. But I am confused because she is on a kibble and I thought this was a no no to mix kibble with raw. I know [MENTION=377]MaplesMommy[/MENTION] you can probably shed some light on this for me. Stella is such a picky eater and is underweight so I am desperately trying to find a food that she will love. She will sometimes not eat at all and she really can't afford to miss a meal. Also, do you think I need to supplement with any other ingredients (fresh veggies/fruit)? Thanks for any insight!

eeturk · Nov 21, 2014

We are using a different brand of raw but had the same problem with the underweight dog being picky. Hudson used to refuse to eat at all and if he did eat the kibble made him sick. To offer what I hope is good encouragement Hudson now gets a perfect body score from the vet and begs for meals. I never thought I'd see the day!! I wish you luck with transitioning Stella.

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Jakeyjake · Nov 21, 2014

Oh thanks so much! I'm hopeful this will be te answer. We fed a little to her tonight and it was the first time I saw her ever lick her chops in anticipation of what was to come

MaplesMommy · Nov 21, 2014

Yea,I wouldnt feed them together. Some recommend it on their package or put it on their website because dogs usually go for the taste of the kibble they are used to. However it is veeery rare for a dog to not like the raw

Most people go cold turkey or you can feed a little bit of the raw throughout the day to see how it goes. However ,like I said, most switch from one day to the other without any issues.

The NatVar is completly balanced,you dont have to add anything. There are a few things you CAN add though if you want to. Kefir,Turmeric,Spirulina,Fish Oil and Coconut Oil are a few examples

Fresh veggies are always good

Just throw whatever you have in the fridge in the mixer and feed it to them. Maple doesnt get veggies every day but when I have some kale ,carrots etc in the fridge anyway I dont mind sharing.

Jakeyjake · Nov 22, 2014

Thanks so much!I! I will let you know how it goes [MENTION=377]MaplesMommy[/MENTION]

Jakeyjake · Nov 24, 2014

Update on switching to raw ..so gave Stella the straight Nat. Var. Instinct for dinner last night and she vomited like 4 hours later. I feed her twice daily and for breakfast this am I mixed it with a little of her kibble and she vomited shortly after. Then mid morning she vomited again. Also no bm all day yesterday but a lil this morning. I think I will have to transition her more slowly as it appears her system is not handling it well. Disappointing. At least she is interested in eating it.

MaplesMommy · Nov 24, 2014

That is too bad. Like I said most people go cold turkey without problem but of course there are always more sensitive dogs.
I would transition slowly and also add a probiotic. It will help restore good gut bacteria and help with digestion.
Also I know this sounds gross but if its just the food she threw back up I would let her eat it again IF she wants to. If a dog throws up and then wants to eat it again right away Id let them because it means there is nothing wrong with the food /no nausea and it only came back up because the body couldnt break it down fast/good enough.

Michael Yap · Dec 25, 2014

Rocky was switched from Acana kibble (eating this for about a year) to Nature's Variety Raw overnight. He was not transitioned. We decided to go raw because he lost it for kibble. Rocky would not eat his food for some time but with raw, he is waiting by his eating area the moment he knows its time to eat. We switch from chicken to beef etc. Basically do a rotation of Nature Variety's frozen. Seems to be a lot better. Rocky doesn't fart as much and is excited during feeding times. We feed half a patty during the morning and half at night with lots of treats / dental stick in between the day.

Some dogs just need time to be switched over. But don't give up as feeding frozen is very rewarding!

chubbybunnymax · Dec 30, 2014

I was wondering how Stella is doing now and if you were able to successfully transition her to raw. Sorry to hear that Stella had to go through that.

A few weeks ago, Max had serious diarrhea and was vomiting... took him to ER, took xrays, fecal exam, etc they STILL didn't seem to know what was wrong with him. I got fed up and decided he needs to be fed better food so we are trying raw. *crossing fingers* I'm really hopeful that this is the right food for him!

I am currently transitioning Max from Orijen puppy to a different raw brand. So far he seems to be doing well. His has soft stool but that's expected with the transition. Right now we feed him twice a day - one kibble meal and one raw. We don't mix the kibble and raw. Max has a pretty sensitive tummy but isn't a picky eater at all.