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!
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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.

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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

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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% 100%

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.

Establishing a Raw Feeding Schedule

Once your dog is fully transitioned, establishing a consistent routine is key. Adult dogs typically thrive one a twice-a-day feeding schedule. Here is an ideal raw feeding schedule...

  • Morning (7:00AM - 8:00AM): Serve half of your dog's raw food allowance. We recommend taking the evening's portion out of the freezer and placing it in the fridge now to defrost.

  • Evening (5:00PM - 6:00PM): Serve the remaining half. Move tomorrow morning's portion from the freezer to the fridge.

This schedule makes easy meal prep for dogs a reality. By rotating your tubs from the freezer to the fridge 12-24 hours in advance, you ensure the food is safely thawed and ready to serve exactly when your dog expect it.

Start Your Raw Journey Today

A smooth transition starts with high-quality, biologically appropriate ingredients.
Paw Cuisine's premium Southland raw blends are formulated to make the switch as easy and delicious as possible for your pet.

FROZEN RAW DOG RANGE FROZEN RAW CAT RANGE PAW-FECT AIR DRIED NATURAL TREATS

Science-backed facts...

Discover the research and evidence behind our approach.

Gut Microbiome Shift

Research demonstrates that when dogs transition from a processed, starch-heavy kibble diet to a raw meat diet, their gut microbiota undergoes significant and rapid changes, shifting away from carbohydrate-fermenting bacteria toward protein fermenters.

Macronutrient Digestibility

Studies highlight that raw meat diets generally exhibit higher apparent macronutrient digestibility compared to extruded kibble diets, which can result in improved nutrient absorption and reduced fecal output.

Compositional Adaptations

Multiple studies confirm that shifting to a diet higher in fat and protein and lower in carbohydrates triggers these measurable compositional adaptations in the canine gut microbiome.

References

1. Butowski, C. F., Moon, C. D., Thomas, D. G., Young, W., & Bermingham, E. N. (2021). The effects of raw-meat diets on the gastrointestinal microbiota of the cat and dog: a review. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 70, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2021.1975586

2. Tanprasertsuk, J., Shmalberg, J., Maughan, H., et al. (2021). Heterogeneity of gut microbial responses in healthy household dogs transitioning from an extruded to a mildly cooked diet. PeerJ, 9, e11648. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11648

3. Xu, J., Becker, A. A. M. J., Luo, Y., et al. (2021). The Fecal Microbiota of Dogs Switching to a Raw Diet Only Partially Converges to That of Wolves. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.701439

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