Introducing a Natural
Dog Food Diet

Introducing a natural dog food diet can create some alarming reactions
in both your dog’s body and behavior.  We will help you understand and overcome the transition problems, including: 

• Transition schedule

• Getting through to the picky eaters

• Symptoms of natural cleansing when switching from “bad” to organic dog food

• Herbs to ease the transition

                                                                                                                                                                       
Should I quit cold turkey when introducing cold turkey? 

Whether switching to raw natural dog food or simply another brand of your current kibble, your dog’s new diet should be introduced gradually.  Give their bodies time to adjust. 

At the beginning of the transition, serve mostly the current food 
with a very small amount of the new food mixed in.  Over time, slowly reduce the old while proportionately increasing the new:

• New brand of same food – 4 to 5 day transition. 
• Moist to dry food (or vice-versa) – 4 to 5 day transition.  If going from moist to dry, try adding a little warm water to the dry food.
• Raw dog food – 4 to 5 week transition. 

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But my dog won’t eat it! 

Wanna bet?  

First, serve the new natural dog food diet in a place where your dog is comfortable and used to eating.  

Try mixing the new food in with the old using the transition guidelines above. 

To make it a bit tastier, warm it up.  PeTA also suggests adding nutritional yeast, olive oil, tomato sauce, powdered kelp, baby food that does not contain onions or other seasonings to make the food smell and taste better. 

If you still get a black nose in the air or if your dog eats around the new food, it may be time to try fasting.  If your dog goes a couple of days without eating at all, hold strong!  Your dog’s instinct to survive will not let him starve himself.  Experts have found that some dogs will go 2 to 3 days without eating a new food, but they always come around. 

According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn, “obese dogs have been known to fast on just water and vitamins for as long as six to eight weeks without ill effect.  Wild carnivores fast naturally” to give their bodies time to digest and rid themselves of bacteria found in their prey.  

Two days should be plenty for your dog.
  

If your pet does not eat (or eats very little) after 2 days, it could be a sign that they are in suboptimal health.  You should visit your local holistic vet  to work on natural treatments that will improve their overall health. 

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Symptoms of Natural Cleansing when Switching from “Bad” Food to a Natural Dog Food Diet 

Dogs have a much shorter digestive track than we do, so their bodies have a tougher time digesting a natural dog food diet they are not used to.  A shorter digestive track also means that a new “good” diet may shock toxins from the old diet out of their body.  Diarrhea and loss of appetite are common. 

Taylor Tips! When my owners learned about a natural dog food diet and changed my meals I felt horrible at first.  After a few days, I felt better than ever!

Other NORMAL reactions to a natural dog food diet include: 

• A “lethargic” period of 2 to 3 days within 2 months of starting the new diet with more time sleeping
•  Dandruff
• Dark and strong-smelling urine or feces
• Dead hair falls out in preparation for new, healthy hair growth
• Excreting worms
• “Not themselves”
• Returning symptoms from previous problems
• Small amounts of mucus or blood in the feces
• Sores on skin

There are some signs to look out for, however, that may warrant a trip to the vet: 

• Depression, irritability or forgetfulness that were not present before the new diet
• Energy level decreasing steadily for more than a few days

If the above problems persist, your dog could be allergic to one of the new foods.  Try to determine and eliminate which food by introducing them one at a time.

If your dog simply does not look healthy to you after several days on the natural dog food diet, it never hurts to get a check up.  Use your best judgment – we always play it on the safe side.  Let your vet know your natural and holistic goals and they can work with you after diagnosing your dog.

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Herbs to Ease the Transition to a Natural Dog Food Diet 

Being proactive or waiting and seeing how your dog reacts? 

Either way, there are several herbs that will help to prevent or improve the symptoms of a rougher transition to a natural dog food diet.  Herbs can also have a number of other positive effects – take a look at the herbal medicine for dog care page for more on this. 

Based on the specific problem, try using the following ONE AT A TIME.  These suggestions are meant to nudge you in the right direction – you should work with your holistic vet to determine the right amount of each. 

• Digestion and Appetite – Alfalfa

• Digestion, worms, intestinal issues – Garlic

• Skin Disorders – Burdock

• Weak nervous system (epilepsy, tremors, paralysis, twitching) – Oats (oatmeal)