Can I change to raw food immediately?Updated a year ago

Whilst some dogs and cats will tolerate an immediate transition from one type of diet to another, there are several reasons why we recommend a gradual transition over a 7 to 10 day period avoiding any unnecessary stomach upsets for your pet.  

The enzymes required to break down a high protein, raw meat and bone diet differ to those required to break down a high carbohydrate processed diet such as kibble. The pancreas must adapt to both the amount and type of enzymes that it produces when the diet is changed from one to the other. 

The gut flora is different for dogs and cats fed on a predominantly meat and bone diet, compared to a high starch and carbohydrate based diet.  It takes several weeks for the gut flora to restabilise following a major diet change. These gut bacteria are responsible for the production of certain key nutrients and are also responsible for the production of gas in the bowel. 

The pH of the stomach is generally higher (more alkaline) in dogs and cats that are fed on a high carbohydrate processed diet compared with dogs and cats fed on a predominantly raw meat, high protein diet, which results in a strong acid stomach. 

It is not only the process, but also the speed in which the food types are digested which differ considerably. Raw meat and bone is digested a lot faster than processed food, which is high in carbohydrates.