Start raw the
right way
Switching your dog to fresh, locally sourced raw food is simpler than it looks. Go slow, watch your dog, and let the bowl do the work. Here's the whole plan on one page.
Why dogs do well on raw
Higher bioavailability
Raw proteins and whole foods your dog can absorb and use more efficiently than heavily processed kibble.
Nothing to hide
Real meat, organs, bone and produce. No preservatives, no artificial additives, no mystery ingredients.
Gentle on digestion
Fresh, minimally processed ingredients that support gut health and ease common sensitivities.
Transition over 7–10 days
Start small and increase every few days. Each step is one meal — mix the raw portion into what your dog already eats, in the same bowl.
One quarter of the meal is raw. Same bowl, same times — nothing else changes.
Half and half. Stools should be firming up and getting smaller.
Mostly raw now. Add variety — a second protein or an organ portion.
You're there. Rotate proteins week to week to keep the diet broad.
Every dog is different
This is a guideline, not a rule. Sensitive stomachs may need 2–3 weeks. Some dogs do better going cold turkey. Trust what you know about your dog's digestion.
Slow down if you see
Loose stool, gas, or a skipped meal. Hold at the current ratio for two or three more days instead of moving up, then continue.
2–3% of body weight, per day
Most adult dogs eat 2–3% of their ideal body weight daily, split across one or two meals. Start at 2.5% and adjust: lean and active dogs go up, couch companions go down.
Puppies eat far more — roughly 5–8% of current weight while growing, split over three meals. Not sure? Bring your dog's weight and age to the counter and we'll do the math with you.
Handling raw food
Treat it like the meat you cook for yourself — that's the whole standard. Handled properly, raw is more than safe.
Thaw in the fridge
Move tomorrow's portion to the fridge tonight. Never thaw on the counter or in warm water.
Serve cool, not frozen
Fridge temperature is ideal. A splash of warm water can help picky eaters take the first bite.
Wash up after
Bowl, utensils, hands and surfaces with hot soapy water — the same routine as handling raw chicken for yourself.
Keep it 48 hours
Thawed food keeps up to two days in the fridge. Freeze what you won't use in that window.
What's normal
Smaller, firmer stools within the first week — that's less filler and more absorption.
A short detox stretch is common: soft stool or a little extra gas as the gut adjusts.
Some dogs skip a meal early on. Pick the bowl up after 20 minutes and offer it again at the next mealtime.
Coat and energy changes show up later - usually somewhere between weeks four and eight.
Beginner questions
Is raw safe for my dog?
Dogs have short, acidic digestive tracts built to handle raw meat and its bacteria. The bigger safety question is the human kitchen — handle it like the meat you cook for yourself and you're covered.
Can I mix raw and kibble?
During the transition, yes — that's exactly the plan. Long term, most owners land on fully raw or feed raw and kibble as separate meals a few hours apart, which is easier on digestion.
What about bones?
Raw bones are fine and good for teeth; cooked bones are never safe because they splinter. Match bone size to your dog and always supervise. Our ground blends already include the right ratio of edible bone.
How long until I see results?
Stool and digestion change in the first week or two. Coat, breath, energy and weight usually shift over four to eight weeks of consistent feeding.
Do puppies eat raw?
Yes, and they thrive on it. Puppies eat roughly 5–8% of their current body weight daily, split over three meals, and grow into an adult 2–3% portion.
My dog won't touch it. Now what?
Drop back to a smaller raw ratio, and warm the food slightly to bring out the smell. Skipping a meal won't hurt a healthy adult dog — persistence almost always wins by the end of the first week.
Ask a Canine
Our raw feeding assistant at canineai.app answers the specific stuff this page can't — portions for your dog's exact weight and age, protein rotation, what a stool change means in week two. Free, instant, and there whenever the question comes up at 9pm on a Tuesday.
Ready for
the first bowl?
Order online and pick up in Alachua, or come in and we'll build your dog's first week with you.
15315 NW US Hwy 441, Suite 30
Alachua, FL 32615
Monday–Thursday, 10AM–6PM
hello@thewildcanine.com — or ask anytime at canineai.app.