Helping Picky Dogs Thrive on Raw Food: Easy Transition Guide

Some dogs will eat just about anything, while others are very finicky. This can be a challenge when you are trying to transition your dog from kibble to a raw diet. For some dogs, the radical change in their diet can be confusing, especially if they’ve been eating dry kibble for many years. Other dogs might not like the smell or texture of their new food. With a little patience and a few tricks, you can get your picky, four legged friend to eat his new raw diet.

• Find a Protein Your Dog Likes - Perhaps your dog doesn’t like chicken or fish, try giving him some lamb or beef. Once you find a meat your dog likes, try feeding it to him or her for about two weeks, before introducing a different selection. Our frozen raw selection has many options for proteins!

• Serve the Meat Partially Frozen - Frozen meat has a harder, chewier texture, which might remind your dog of kibble. Plus, serving it partially frozen will cut down on the raw smell, which might be bothering your dog. As your dog gets more used to a raw diet, begin tapering off on serving it frozen.

• Serve the Meat Gently Cooked - Yes, it’s absolutely okay to gently cook our raw food if that’s what your dog prefers or tolerates better. Many pet parents choose to lightly cook the food for older dogs or those with sensitive digestion, as well as pets who are more selective eaters. Some dogs prefer the smell and texture of cooked meat, and lightly cooking helps accomplish this without losing too much of the nutrition your dog will receive from the raw meat inside.

• Employ Some Patience & Tough Love - Start by leaving the food in the doggie bowl for 15 minutes. If it remains uneaten, pick it up and put it away. You can try again a bit later, or at the next meal time. Continue this process for the next several days, and don’t worry, your dog won’t starve. Once he is hungry enough, he will eat. And of course, don’t forget to praise your dog after he eats his food. This helps to reinforce his new raw diet.

Check out this page for more benefits of raw and why you should transition!