Raw Feeding 101: A Beginner's Guide to Starting a Raw Diet for Your Dog or Cat

If you’ve ever considered transitioning your pet from kibble to a raw food diet, you’ve likely felt a little anxious or uncertain about getting started.  Not to worry!  The team at Vital Essentials is here to help you and your beloved pet or pets embark on this wonderful journey together.  To help you along this journey, we’ve come up with a short list of guidelines to help you accommodate your pet’s specific diet or feeding style.

Add a Protein Mix-in

Protein Mix-Ins, a meal topper for dogs, is an easy way to introduce your dog to the power of a raw diet without making them suspicious of unfamiliar food.

Ground toppers can be easily sprinkled on top of your pet’s normal food or mixed in. They can also be turned into a gravy-like food when mixed with water or broth. This gravy can be poured over your pet’s regular kibble, introducing the savory flavor of raw meat without overpowering the food your pet is already used to. Available in beef, chicken or turkey, freeze-dried meal toppers are the perfect first step toward feeding your cat or dog a raw diet.

Try Mixing in Nibs, Mini Nibs, or Mini Patties

For a more substantial option with the benefit of pure, butcher-cut protein, consider mixing Nibs, Mini Nibs or Mini Patties with your pet’s kibble. This is also a great way to start the transition to a fully raw diet.

Vital Essentials Mini Nibs and Nibs have a satisfying crunch with a texture similar to kibble dog food, providing the closest option to your pet’s current diet. Minner Patties offer incredible versatility, crumble easily into small or large chunks, and can be fed wet or dry.

Our freeze-dried pet food is crafted with our custom slow freeze-drying process locks in the freshness of real, raw meat. They are available as a variety of proteins, including unique options like rabbit or duck.

Once your dog or cat’s food bowl contains both their normal kibble and some raw food, many pets will be intrigued by the natural draw of raw meat and will preferentially choose raw over their usual kibble right away! However, some pets are so addicted to the preservatives and starchiness of commercial kibble that they will selectively pick them out of a mixed bowl of kibble-and-niblets. (Let’s be honest: if you were handed a bowl of potato chips and carrots, you might eat the chips first, too.)

If this happens at first, don’t be discouraged. With patience and persistence, your pet switch to a healthier diet that will be much better for them overall. Try mixing a dinner patty pâté that your pet can’t pick out of the bowl, or go back to toppers until Fido gets used to and even begins to crave the meaty flavor of raw.

Remember to Transition Slowly to a Raw Diet

Once your kitty or pup consistently eats a whole bowl of kibble mixed with raw, it’s time to start slowly changing that ratio until you’re up to a 100% raw diet. We suggest gradually increasing the amount of Vital Essentials raw food and decreasing the proportion of commercial kibble in your pet’s meals over two weeks. Be aware that this is only a guide; your pet (especially if they’re a picky kitty) may need more than two weeks to transition fully. 

If your pet begins turning up its nose at the food bowl, you may be trying to transition too fast. Always make sure your pet is getting enough to eat, and don’t assume, “If they’re hungry enough, they’ll eat anything.” Some pets — particularly cats, let’s face it — will choose to go hungry over eating something they aren’t in the mood for.

On the other hand, many dogs and cats absolutely adore the taste of real, raw meat and would be very happy to eat a whole bowl of mini nibs on Day 1! Even if your dog or cat is ravenous for raw, we still recommend taking 10-14 days to transition them fully and give your pet's digestive system enough time to adjust. The last thing you want is for your pet to enthusiastically eat their meal now, only to have diarrhea or digestive issues later.

A slow, steady transition, carefully watching how much your pet eats to make sure they aren’t over-eating or under-eating — and adjusting accordingly — is the best way to get your dog or cat switched over to a 100% raw diet.

The good news is that once they’re transitioned, you’ll be rewarded for your hard work and patience with a happier, healthier, slimmer, more muscular and energetic pet!

Keep Trying New Pet Food Combinations 

If you’re still having trouble making the switch, or you’re a few months down the road and feel like changing things up, the good news is that the mix-and-match options are endless!

Try experimenting with different proteins. Has your dog ever tried rabbit before? Maybe your cat has a secret craving for pork that you didn’t know about! You can also play with different combinations of wet vs. dry. While our mini nibs are designed for a satisfying crunch, remember that our dinner patties can be fed dry or mixed with water to customize the meal to whatever consistency your pet prefers.

Finally, our extremely versatile toppers can be mixed with any other protein. Perhaps rabbit dinner patties with a chicken topper are the killer combo that gets your pup’s mouth-watering. Toss a few treats on top for a truly irresistible meal.

For more information on Vital Essentials and our full product line, follow us on TikTok and Instagram. And if you have any questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page for answers. Together, we can ensure your pet gets the proper nutrition they deserve.