A stress-free roadmap for New Zealand Dog Owners

Making the switch to a fresh, natural diet is one of the best decisions you can make for your dog's long-term health. However, one of the most common concerns we hear from pet parents at Paw Cuisine is the fear of digestive upset. If you are researching how to transition dog to raw diet, you want a method that is safe, gentle, and effective.


Because dry, highly processed kibble digests differently than fresh meat, a sudden switch can confuse your dog’s digestive enzymes, leading to loose stools or an upset tummy. The secret to success lies in patience and portion control. In this guide, we outline the best way to start raw
feeding using a simple, phased approach.


Transitioning must be done with some patience. If your pet has eaten Kibble their whole life, their gut flora is adapted to digesting heavy carbohydrates and their stomach acid may be weaker than a raw-fed pet. If you switch them "cold turkey", you are likely going to see an upset stomach and diarrhoea, not because the raw food is bad, but because their digestive system needs time to wake up and readapt.

The 3-Step Transition Protocol

Follow these simple steps to help you transition with ease!
1

Step 1: The Introduction (Days 1-3)

Before mixing full meals, let your dog's stomach get accustomed to the richness of fresh meat. Start by using pieces of Paw Cuisines Raw Food as high-value training treats, or simply offering a spoonful alongside their regular kibble (but not mixed in the same bowl yet). This gentle introduction sparks the production of the correct digestive enzymes.

2

Step 2: The Mixing Phase (Days 4-10)

This is where we begin adjusting the kibble to raw ratio. To avoid tummy issues, slowly phase out the dry food while increasing the raw food over the course of a week. If you notice any loose stools, pause the transition and hold at the current ratio for an extra day or two until things firm up.


Days 4 - 6: Feed a 50% Paw Cuisine / 50% old diet mix


Days 7 - 10: Feed 75% Paw Cuisine and 25% old diet

3

Step 3: The Full Switch Day (Day 11+)

Congratulations! Your dog is now eating 100% Paw Cuisine raw. At this stage, you can begin introducing different proteins (like switching from our classic beef to our rich lamb blends) ensure they are getting a diverse amino acid profiles.

Mastering Your Kibble to Raw Ratio

To make the mixing phase (Step 2) completely foolproof, follow this daily breakdown. This gradual shift is the foundation of easy meal prep for dogs during the transition period.
Timeline Kibble Ratio Raw Food Ratio
Days 1 - 3 (Prep) 100% Bite-sized treats / small spoonfuls
Days 4 - 5 75% 25%
Days 6 -7 50% 50%
Days 8 - 10 25% 75%
Day 11 Onwards 0% 75%

Keep the raw and kibble in seperate areas of the bowl if possible, or feed them at slightly different times during the day if your dog has an especially sensitive stomach.

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