New Puppy's Raw Food Transition... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

slidr · 03-24-2011, 07:00 PM

We recently rescued a 10 week old male who currently weighs 2.7 lbs. The woman who previously cared for him fed him Pro Plan for small breed puppies, so I was just planning on using the bag she gave me until it ran out.

On Pro Plan, he would constantly drink water, eat, and he would poop around three to four times per day. The stool was soft but not liquid, very light brown, and very smelly.

So, last night before bed, he had his first serving of Primal, and today he had four whole meals of it. This morning he had a same poop as always, but he hasn't pooped since and he doesn't seem to be drinking that much water at all. I assume that this has to do with the high moisture content of the raw food (70 something percent vs. the 12 percent in Pro Plan). He is not sick because he is as happy as ever (a lot more energy than I have ever seen him with), does not appear dehydrated, and gulps down his meals in one bite.

Due to his weight of under three pounds, could I be correct in assuming that the stool transformation is happening a lot faster for him (i.e., his body is making better use of the raw food)? Has anyone ever made the switch on such a small dog before? I'll know for sure tomorrow when/if he goes to the bathroom, but this raw food seems to be really amazing so far! Can't wait to switch my two year old over from Blue Buffalo.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks.

xoxodoglover89 · 03-24-2011, 08:41 PM

I have Sasha on 1/2 Primal and 1/2 kibble. When I introduced the Primal into her diet, I never experienced any issues (no loose stool, etc.). Her stools actually seemed to be much more formed and she always poops twice a day. She's fed Acana kibble right now as the other 1/2 of her diet. I find that she still drinks the normal amount of water that she did before, maybe a little less but I guess I never paid that close attention.

Kolsen · 03-26-2011, 07:47 AM

I offer my Yokie the raw food for meals and leave kibble out all day for her. I want to say with-in 3 days her stools were much smaller in size and less frequent. I also noticed her stools were really light in weight.

Sweet Apple · 03-26-2011, 07:55 AM

I switched Apple from one day to the next, w/no issues, but she was 10 months old...If there are no issues ie:vomiting or dirreah, I'm thinking it's o.k., but check out the recommendations on the primal site...If you haven't already done so, go to the primal pet food website, and click on feeding calculator...Your pup needs a ton more raw food than an adult...In fact, I feed all mine a little bit more, than recommended amounts, because they are too lean on recommended amounts....I don't know if anyone has told you, but I discovered, that after a few months, fleas don't get on raw fed pups!!! Not only is it better for their digestion, teeth, coat, energy level, small non smelly stools, but the flea free is a major plus! I don't use topicals, on my pups, and they don't have fleas

jarden · 03-28-2011, 11:05 AM

Regarding your question about poop. Here is some information I found before I started feeding my boys (Niles and Levi) a raw diet -- we use Zoologics from Darwins Natural Pet Products:

"One of the additional benefits of switching your pet to a fresh food diet will quickly become apparent – you will see a significant reduction in the size and odor of your dog’s stool. Stools from fresh-food fed dogs tend to be smaller and firmer, as the dog is absorbing more nutrient from it’s food.
Some dogs will strain slightly at the hard stools. This is OK, and even beneficial, as the harder stools help the dog express its anal glands, reducing the likelihood of infection.
There may be some variation in the consistency of your dog’s stool. This is also OK, although you should consult with your veterinarian if your dog experiences prolonged diarrhea (soft stool is not diarrhea).
You may also occasionally see a film around your dog’s stool, especially during transition. This is also OK, and is evidence of detoxification (see next page), i.e., the dog’s body cleansing itself of harmful toxins."

Hope it helps.

jarden · 03-28-2011, 11:16 AM

Niles and Levi have been completely off kibble and canned dog food for the past 2 months now -- we fully committed to a raw diet. We use Zoologics which we have delivered to the house from Darwins Natural Pet Products. My guys are happy and very healthy. Levi had no issues during transition. Niles had a little bit of an issue -- his poop was irregular -- but, I found out from Darwins website that is a normal occurrence during trasition. I also double checked with my vet and she confirmed what Darwins' was saying. Niles is far less itchy, he has clear eyes -- no more goop in them. And, they both are very active.

Hope that helps.

viviansnickers · 03-28-2011, 06:02 PM

Choosing a raw diet for your pup is great!! Both mine are on 100% primal and are thriving. You're going to want to feed your pup 10% of it's body weight in raw. So if he's 2.7 pounds, multiply that by 16 which equals 43. So I would feed the pup 4-4.5 ounces a day. I would not do a rotation of half kibble and half raw on such a young pup if you were considering it. Good luck!!

Maggie, I didn't know raw fed dogs don't get fleas!! Has that been studied or just something you've experienced?? Awesome!!!

Viv

03-24-2011, 07:00 PM	#1
slidr YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: STL, MO Posts: 7	New Puppy's Raw Food Transition... We recently rescued a 10 week old male who currently weighs 2.7 lbs. The woman who previously cared for him fed him Pro Plan for small breed puppies, so I was just planning on using the bag she gave me until it ran out. On Pro Plan, he would constantly drink water, eat, and he would poop around three to four times per day. The stool was soft but not liquid, very light brown, and very smelly. So, last night before bed, he had his first serving of Primal, and today he had four whole meals of it. This morning he had a same poop as always, but he hasn't pooped since and he doesn't seem to be drinking that much water at all. I assume that this has to do with the high moisture content of the raw food (70 something percent vs. the 12 percent in Pro Plan). He is not sick because he is as happy as ever (a lot more energy than I have ever seen him with), does not appear dehydrated, and gulps down his meals in one bite. Due to his weight of under three pounds, could I be correct in assuming that the stool transformation is happening a lot faster for him (i.e., his body is making better use of the raw food)? Has anyone ever made the switch on such a small dog before? I'll know for sure tomorrow when/if he goes to the bathroom, but this raw food seems to be really amazing so far! Can't wait to switch my two year old over from Blue Buffalo. Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks.

03-28-2011, 11:05 AM	#5
jarden YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 8	Raw Diet and Transition Regarding your question about poop. Here is some information I found before I started feeding my boys (Niles and Levi) a raw diet -- we use Zoologics from Darwins Natural Pet Products: "One of the additional benefits of switching your pet to a fresh food diet will quickly become apparent – you will see a significant reduction in the size and odor of your dog’s stool. Stools from fresh-food fed dogs tend to be smaller and firmer, as the dog is absorbing more nutrient from it’s food. Some dogs will strain slightly at the hard stools. This is OK, and even beneficial, as the harder stools help the dog express its anal glands, reducing the likelihood of infection. There may be some variation in the consistency of your dog’s stool. This is also OK, although you should consult with your veterinarian if your dog experiences prolonged diarrhea (soft stool is not diarrhea). You may also occasionally see a film around your dog’s stool, especially during transition. This is also OK, and is evidence of detoxification (see next page), i.e., the dog’s body cleansing itself of harmful toxins." Hope it helps.

03-28-2011, 11:16 AM	#6
jarden YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 8	Raw Diet and Transition Niles and Levi have been completely off kibble and canned dog food for the past 2 months now -- we fully committed to a raw diet. We use Zoologics which we have delivered to the house from Darwins Natural Pet Products. My guys are happy and very healthy. Levi had no issues during transition. Niles had a little bit of an issue -- his poop was irregular -- but, I found out from Darwins website that is a normal occurrence during trasition. I also double checked with my vet and she confirmed what Darwins' was saying. Niles is far less itchy, he has clear eyes -- no more goop in them. And, they both are very active. Hope that helps.

03-24-2011, 08:41 PM	#2
xoxodoglover89 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 747	I have Sasha on 1/2 Primal and 1/2 kibble. When I introduced the Primal into her diet, I never experienced any issues (no loose stool, etc.). Her stools actually seemed to be much more formed and she always poops twice a day. She's fed Acana kibble right now as the other 1/2 of her diet. I find that she still drinks the normal amount of water that she did before, maybe a little less but I guess I never paid that close attention.

03-26-2011, 07:47 AM	#3
Kolsen Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Richmond, MI Posts: 73	I offer my Yokie the raw food for meals and leave kibble out all day for her. I want to say with-in 3 days her stools were much smaller in size and less frequent. I also noticed her stools were really light in weight.

03-26-2011, 07:55 AM	#4
Sweet Apple Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 2,473	I switched Apple from one day to the next, w/no issues, but she was 10 months old...If there are no issues ie:vomiting or dirreah, I'm thinking it's o.k., but check out the recommendations on the primal site...If you haven't already done so, go to the primal pet food website, and click on feeding calculator...Your pup needs a ton more raw food than an adult...In fact, I feed all mine a little bit more, than recommended amounts, because they are too lean on recommended amounts....I don't know if anyone has told you, but I discovered, that after a few months, fleas don't get on raw fed pups!!! Not only is it better for their digestion, teeth, coat, energy level, small non smelly stools, but the flea free is a major plus! I don't use topicals, on my pups, and they don't have fleas

03-28-2011, 06:02 PM	#7
viviansnickers Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,755	Choosing a raw diet for your pup is great!! Both mine are on 100% primal and are thriving. You're going to want to feed your pup 10% of it's body weight in raw. So if he's 2.7 pounds, multiply that by 16 which equals 43. So I would feed the pup 4-4.5 ounces a day. I would not do a rotation of half kibble and half raw on such a young pup if you were considering it. Good luck!! Maggie, I didn't know raw fed dogs don't get fleas!! Has that been studied or just something you've experienced?? Awesome!!! Viv