So you’re thinking about switching your dog to a raw diet? First of all – yay! It’s a big decision and can feel totally overwhelming at the start. I’ve been there. My dog dealt with horrible gut issues, itchy paws, colitis problems, and general discomfort. I tried everything possible in my power. Eventually, I ended up transitioning my dogs to a raw diet – and let me tell you, it wasn’t a magic switch… but it was a powerful one. Here’s how I did it, what I learned, and what I wish I’d known sooner.

Why even bother with raw?

For me, it was about health. I wanted to feed real food, as kibble and wet food just kept the problem alive. But I’ll be honest: raw alone didn’t fix my dog’s gut issues. I had to add specific supplements too (more on that later). So if you’re hoping raw will fix everything overnight, it might not. Every dog is different.

But there are a lot of benefits: cleaner teeth, shinier coat, smaller poop (yes, really), and in general, just more energy and vitality.

Slow and steady: How to make the switch

You might hear of a “cold turkey” approach, but I personally wouldn’t recommend that. It’s a lot on their system. Here’s what worked for me:

Wet food first: I stopped kibble completely and kept my dogs on the wet food I was feeding them anyway, for 3–4 weeks.

Slow intro of raw: Started by mixing a quarter raw with three-quarters wet food. After a few days, I moved to half-and-half. I paid close attention to poop consistency and stomach noises.

Stuck to safe proteins: Because I had already done an exclusion trial, I knew rabbit, turkey, venison, and pheasant were fine. I didn’t introduce anything new as switching to raw is already enough change.

Take your time. Most guides say 7–10 days to transition, but honestly, go longer if needed.

Let’s talk poop (yes, again)

I watch my dogs’ poop every day. It changes all the time. Hard, soft, sloshy. All that is info. When I notice tear stains or runny eyes, I do a 10-day detox mix (I like Proflax Liver Love or Tummy Tastic).

A little sloshy poop during the switch? Totally normal. Mine had it for a day or two and then adjusted back to normal.

Supplements helped us A LOT

Raw food helped, but it didn’t solve everything. I noticed a bit more of a difference once I added:

• Green-lipped mussel (for joints)
• Gut fixer & soother powders
• Flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds
• And sometimes immune or coat support blends

I’d suggest figuring out your base meals first, then introducing supplements slowly. They really helped balance everything for my dogs.

Mistakes I made so you don’t have to

• I was way off with portion sizes at first. One dog was underfed, one was overfed.
• Raw weighs differently than kibble. My dogs used to get ~200g-300g of kibble a day, Now they eat ~400g and ~800g of raw!
• Don’t stress about getting the grams perfect on day one. Just adjust as you go.

What a typical meal looks like for us

Right now, I do an 80/10/10 ratio (meat/organs/bone) with turkey and rabbit. I add:

• Carrot and broccoli
• Joint supplements and gut support
• A sprinkle of flaxseed, pumpkin seed, and chia seeds

I stick with this combo until I feel confident their gut is stable enough to start testing new proteins. Variety is important (aim for 3+ proteins), but not right at the start.

But isn’t raw more expensive?

Yes. It is. But it’s real food. Just like with human food – home-cooked meals are more expensive than fast food, but they nourish you in a totally different way. If cost is a concern, you can look into bulk buying and getting a dedicated freezer just for your dog food (I wish I had the space in my van!).

If you’re going away and can’t feed raw, look into freeze-dried options. I avoid full-day trips if I can’t feed them properly. My dogs come first.

Brands + Resources that helped me

These are not sponsored – just the ones I use or trust based on my research:

UK Raw Food Brands (the ones I go with at the moment):

• Mersey Raw
• ProDog Raw
• The Dogs Butcher
• Vale Pet Foods
• (If your dog can handle sweet potato/egg): Cotswold Raw, Naturaw, Nutriment, Paleo Ridge

Vets & Experts I trust:

• Dr. Andrew Jones (Veterinary Secrets)
• Dr. Katie Woodley (The Natural Pet Doctor)
• Dr. Nick Thompson (Holistic Vet)
• Dr. Judy Morgan
• Dr. Conor Brady
• Dr. Jeff Grognet
• Karen Becker & Rodney Habib

Many raw food brands also have great feeding calculators and beginner guides. Don’t be afraid to email them directly with questions. That helped me a ton.

Story time:
When I was researching a holistic vet, I saw that Dr. Nick Thompson only consults dogs already on a raw diet. Back then I thought that was a bit extreme… but now I get it.

Final thoughts: Don’t panic

Your dog isn’t going to starve if you mess up the portions for a week or so. You’re learning, and your dog is adjusting too. Start simple, stay consistent, and trust your gut and theirs.

Disclaimer + Chat With Me

* I’m not a vet or a nutritionist. This is all based on my own research and what worked for my dogs. Always do your own research and speak to a professional before making big changes to your dog’s diet. *

Got questions? DM me on Instagram or drop a comment.
And check out my other post: Why I’d Never Go Back to Kibble