When Should Dogs Begin Eating A Raw Diet?
A raw diet has numerous advantages for dogs, and it is best to transition your dog to a raw diet as soon as possible, preferably when it is a puppy. The sooner you begin, the easier it will be for the dog to adapt to the raw diet.
Ideally, puppies can start eating a raw diet at 8 weeks old. Puppies have a faster metabolism than adult dogs due to their rapid growth and development, so they require multiple raw meals per day.
If you want to start feeding your puppy a raw diet but are unsure of when to start or how much food to give to your puppy, this article may help you. We have put a complete guide on when you should start a raw diet for your dog and what quantities to feed so read on.
What Are The Benefits Of A Raw Diet For Dogs?
The following are a few benefits of feeding a raw diet to dogs:
- Easy to digest
- Source of high-quality protein
- Healthy coat and skin
- Better dental hygiene
- Improved immunity
- Less incidence of allergic reactions
- Improved gut health
At What Age Should Dogs Start Eating Raw Foods?
Dogs can begin a raw food diet as early as 8 weeks of age, but this varies by breed as some dog breeds can start between 8 and 12 weeks. Puppies are weaned at the age of about 4 weeks and this is when they are introduced to typical puppy food. When they are around 6 weeks old, mix in small amounts of raw food (ΒΌ parts or one-quarter) to their regular puppy diet and gradually begin the transitioning process.
Little by little increase the amount of raw diet while decreasing the amount of puppy food, up until they are 8 to 12 weeks old. During this transitioning period, keep an eye on the stool of your pooch. If you notice diarrhea or any other abnormalities, discontinue the raw diet and consult a veterinarian. When the puppies are healthy enough, you can resume feeding raw food in small amounts so they can get accustomed to it with ease.
What Quantities Of Raw Foods Should Dogs Eat In The Beginning?
It is recommended to add one-quarter (1/4) of raw food to the regular puppy diet at first, then increase the amount as the dog gets accustomed to it. You can increase the raw diet to 1/4, 1/2, and so on. Remember that too much organ meat can upset your dog’s stomach so keep that in check.
How Often To Feed Raw Foods To Dogs?
Due to their high metabolism and high nutrient needs, puppies between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks should be fed four meals a day, each of which should include a portion of raw food. When puppies are 6 months old, the number of meals is reduced to three, and by 12 months, they are usually fed twice a day. Adult dogs only require one raw food meal per day.
