How To Entice A Dog To Eat Raw Diet
Raw diet for dogs is recently on the trend, and more and more dog owners are adopting it because it is healthy, less expensive, and readily available. However, some dog parents may find it difficult to feed a raw diet to their furry companion.
Overall, dogs prefer to eat a raw diet not because they enjoy it but rather because it is instinctive for them, and this is how their primitive ancestors, wolves, still thrive. However, the key to enticing a dog to a raw diet after years of feeding dog food is patience, consistent effort from the dog’s parents, and a few remedies that will help develop their taste.
If you are a dog owner who wants to feed their dog a raw diet but is unsure why or how to do so properly, we are here to guide you. Our small animal veterinarian has a list of benefits of a raw diet for dogs as well as a few tips and tricks to help you entice your dog to eat a raw diet, so keep reading.
Tips And Tricks To Make Your Dog Eat A Raw Diet
Here are a few guidelines that will help your dog start its raw diet journey:
Appreciate your dog
Sometimes a little appreciation can make a big difference for your dog. If your dog struggles to consume a raw diet or shows no interest in it, leave the food in the bowl for 15 to 20 minutes. As the dog begins to sniff or lick the food, praise, and pet it so that it will gradually begin to show interest.
Be persistent and be patient
During this time, you shouldn’t rush things and instead let your dog take its time. Start with small portions of the raw diet and gradually increase them as the dog gets used to it. Continue providing raw food during mealtimes for 20 to 30 minutes if the dog doesn’t show any interest. Never get frustrated and try to enjoy the whole experience.
Mix up the raw diet
To get your dog used to the taste of the raw diet at first, it is best to mix it in with the food it normally eats. Reduce the ratio of its pet food and instead increase the quantity of raw food as the dog gets familiar with the taste.
Experiment with different proteins
If your dog refuses to eat its raw diet, you should change the ingredients. Try out various types of meats, such as beef, chicken, turkey, pork, and rabbit, to see which suits your dog the best.
The temperature of the food
If you serve frozen raw food, make sure to properly thaw it before serving. Let it sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes after thawing and before feeding. Warm water can also be added to the food.
Add broth or milk to the food
To tempt your dog’s taste buds, by adding milk, gravy, or bone broth to its raw diet. These will make the raw food more appetizing and will facilitate your dog to eat its new food.
Fasting
Control fasting can be a good trick to at least get your dog to try the raw diet if it shows no interest at all. Fast your dog for no more than 12 to 15 hours, depending on breed, age, and health condition.
How To Begin Feeding A Raw Diet
- Don’t overwhelm your dog’s taste buds at first, and start with a mild and simple raw diet like chicken or turkey, but this depends on your dog’s taste.
- Begin introducing the raw diet at mealtimes and leave it in the bowl for at least 15 minutes.
- If your dog shows no interest, offer the meal again after 2 to 4 hours. Appreciate your pet if it sniffs or licks the food.
- Continue to offer raw food at mealtimes, initially mixing it with the regular food of your dog.
- During this transition period, avoid giving treats or leftovers to your dog and gradually increase the amount of raw food in the diet as the dog becomes accustomed to it.
Which Raw Foods Are Best When Starting A Raw Diet
The following is a list of raw foods that are best and most appealing when beginning a raw diet for your dog:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- Rabbit
- Pork
- Beef
