Our Guide to Raw dog food

Step 1: Feed your dog their last meal of kibble or "fresh" food, or count the hours since their last meal.

Step 2: Place your dog on a 12 to 48-hour fast. We recommend closer to 48 hours, but you know your dog best.

Step 3: Serve up a bowl of Leo's Raw Dog Food and watch your dog feast.

Before You Begin: Plan for this process to last anywhere between 3 days to 2 weeks, with the average being 7 days or 1 full week. The duration of the transition depends on your dog's age, weight, and activity level.

Step 1: Gradual Transition: Feed each meal at separate times, as both foods are consumed and processed at different rates. Gradually decrease the amount of usual food and increase the amount of Leo's Raw Dog Food until your dog's diet consists of 100% raw food.

7-Day Transition Schedule:

Day 1: 90% Usual, 10% Leo's Raw Dog Food

Day 2: 75% Usual, 25% Leo's Raw Dog Food

Day 3: 60% Usual, 40% Leo's Raw Dog Food

Day 4: 45% Usual, 55% Leo's Raw Dog Food

Day 5: 30% Usual, 70% Leo's Raw Dog Food

Day 6: 15% Usual, 85% Leo's Raw Dog Food

Day 7: 100% Leo's Raw Dog Food

Hello Big Life!

Step 2: Monitor Your Dog: Keep a close eye on your dog during this time. If you notice loose stools early on, cut back on the raw food and increase it at a slower rate, adjusting and extending your course duration. A successful reaction should result in small and firm stool consistency, indicating better nutrient absorption.

Alternatively, your dog may accept the introduction of raw food very well, allowing you to shorten the course duration.

Light Cooking: 

For picky eaters, start by cooking the food at low heat to help with the transition. Cook it halfway through and gradually cook it less over a week until it is completely raw. Dogs with gastrointestinal problems or immune deficiencies may need their food lightly cooked.

Puppies:

Puppies can begin eating raw soon after they wean off their mother's milk (typically 3 to 4 weeks old). Feed them one protein at a time for at least a week before switching to another protein.

Seniors:

Older dogs that have been fed kibble, commercial wet food, or "fresh" food most of their lives may benefit from adding probiotics and digestive enzymes to their meals. This helps their digestive system reboot and develop the enzymes necessary to break down raw foods, easing their diet transition.

Good Stool:

As you switch your dog's diet to raw, you will notice changes in their stool. Due to the increased water content of raw meat and vegetables, stools will be softer initially. Over time, stools will become smaller and less frequent, eventually hardening as your dog regulates its water intake.

Detoxification, Allergies, and Sensitivities:

Dogs with sensitivities should be observed carefully. Some dogs may go through a detox period, releasing toxins from their previous diet. During this time, they may experience loose or mucous stool, runny eyes, ear excretions, and shedding. This is a positive sign of their body ridding itself of toxins. If symptoms persist for more than a few days, contact your vet for further evaluation.