Switching from kibble to raw food: how to do it step by step
Thinking about switching from kibble to raw food, but not sure where to start? Most people find it’s a lot easier than they expected. First, start with minced meat mixtures. Then choose a direct or gradual switch, and give your dog or cat a little time to get used to it.
Switching from kibble to raw food after years: can your dog or cat still do it?
YeYes. Most dogs and cats cope well with switching from kibble to raw food, even after many years. Some take to it straight away. Others need a bit more time to get used to a new smell, texture and taste.
Age and health do make a difference to how you go about it:
- A young, healthy dog or cat can usually switch in one go. So there’s no need for a long transition.
- An older dog or cat (7 years and over) often does better with a gradual schedule. In that case, you build up the raw food over a week or two.
- A dog or cat with a sensitive tummy also does well with a slow start. A gradual switch gives her body time to adjust.
Is your dog older, or has she had tummy trouble before? Then go for the gradual switch further down this page.
Where do you start when switching from kibble to raw food?
Start with minced meat mixtures: ready-made raw mince that’s easy to portion and serve. They come in two types: completes and complementary mixtures.
What are completes?
Completes are a balanced mix of muscle meat, meaty bone, organ and a vegetable mix, with added vitamins and minerals. Cat completes, however, don’t contain a vegetable mix. Because the recipe is complete, you can give it every day as a full meal.
What are complementary mixtures?
Complementary mixtures usually contain one protein source. They’re a mix of muscle meat, meaty bone and organ, but they aren’t complete on their own. That’s why you rotate between different varieties, for example chicken, beef, turkey and lamb, for a balanced raw menu. Alaska Pure and KB Mix are good examples.
Alaska and KB Raw both make minced meat mixtures for dogs and cats. They’re delivered frozen to your door, or you can use click-and-collect for free.
New to raw feeding? Then take a look at our advice pages, or get in touch with us to find out which minced meat mixtures suit your dog or cat.
What’s the difference between minced meat mixtures and DIY raw feeding?
Minced meat mixtures are ready to serve, while with DIY raw feeding you put together the menu yourself from separate ingredients, such as meaty bones, muscle meat and organs. As a result, minced meat mixtures suit beginners and busy households. DIY raw feeding, by contrast, gives you full control, but it takes more time and know-how.
| Ready made raw feeding | DIY raw feeding | |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe | Minced meat: completes, or complementary mixtures rotated between meat sources | You put it together yourself |
| Suits | Beginners and busy lives | Experienced raw feeders |
| Time needed | Low | Higher |
| Variety | Easy to rotate | Full control |
Our tip: start with minced meat mixtures. Once you’re in a routine, you can always branch out to DIY raw feeding later.
Switching from kibble to raw food in one go: how does it work?
With a direct switch, you stop the kibble one day and start with raw food the next. So there’s no mixing, no transition period and no schedule to follow.
It may sound sudden, but most healthy dogs and cats handle it well. In the first few days, you may notice her poo changes: firmer, smaller and sometimes paler. That’s normal and settles down on its own.
This method suits young, healthy dogs and cats without tummy trouble. Never mix kibble and raw food in the same bowl. Kibble and raw food are digested at a different pace, so always give them as separate meals.
Switching from kibble to raw food gradually: how do you do it?
With a gradual switch, you slowly build up the raw food while cutting back the kibble at the same time. Usually, this takes one to two weeks. It’s the gentlest way of switching from kibble to raw food, so it suits older dogs and cats, and those with a sensitive tummy.
Example: Bella, an 8-year-old Jack Russell
Bella weighs 7 kg and had tummy trouble in the past. So her family wanted to start switching from kibble to raw food, but gently. Together we drew up this eight-day schedule, with kibble and raw food given as separate meals:
| Days | Kibble | Raw food |
|---|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | 1 x 75 g | 1 x 45 g |
| 3 and 4 | 1 x 50 g | 2 x 85 g |
| 5 and 6 | 1 x 25 g | 1 x 130 g |
| 7 and 8 | No more kibble | 2 x 75 to 85 g |
As a result, Bella switched over without a single day of trouble.
Still, this schedule is just an example, because the right pace depends on your dog or cat. Is the switch going a bit slowly? Then simply take more time. There’s no hurry.
What if your dog or cat won’t eat raw food?
Give her time and make a few small changes, because most dogs and cats come round within days. Some simply need a bit longer when switching from kibble to raw food. It happens more often with cats than dogs, because after years of the same food, a new smell, texture and temperature takes some getting used to.
These tips help:
- Add a splash of lukewarm water. Food that’s a bit warmer than fridge temperature smells stronger, so it helps with fussy cats in particular. Never use hot water, because heat can make the bone in the food brittle.
- Mix in something familiar. A spoonful of pâté, a little tinned tuna or some natural yoghurt makes the first bites easier. Start with half and half, then cut back gradually over the next few days until it’s all raw food.
- Give her a quiet spot to eat. With more than one pet in the house, competition at the bowl can cause stress. A calm place of her own makes a big difference, especially for cats.
- Take the bowl away if she doesn’t eat. Put the portion back in the fridge and offer it again later. In the early days, stay nearby at mealtimes so you can clear up leftovers quickly.
Did you know…?
A cat in the wild eats her prey at body temperature, around 38°C. That’s why a fussy cat often shows more interest in raw food once it’s lost the chill of the fridge.
Still not having it after a week or so? Then get in touch with us and we’ll help you find what works for your dog or cat.g or cat.
How much raw food does your dog or cat need a day?
A good starting point for an adult dog or cat is 2 to 3% of body weight a day. For example, an adult dog of 20 kg needs about 400 to 600 grams. An adult cat of 5 kg needs around 100 to 150 grams, split over two meals.
This is a starting point, not a fixed rule. The right amount depends on age, activity and body condition. So feel her ribs regularly: you should be able to feel them without pressing, but not see them. Then adjust the amount gradually based on what you see.
Puppies and kittens need more, because they’re still growing. Switching a puppy or kitten from kibble to raw food? Then get in touch with us for personal feeding advice.
How do you handle raw food safely?
Treat raw pet food the way you’d treat raw meat in your own kitchen. Thaw portions in the fridge, in a covered container, so you always have tomorrow’s meal ready. Always wash your hands, bowls and worktops after handling raw food.
Never thaw raw food in the microwave. Never refreeze food once it has thawed. Once thawed, a portion keeps in the fridge for about two days.
