How to Transition Your Dog to Raw or Freeze-Dried

This is the question we get more than almost any other, so let's answer it properly. Good news: switching to Artisan Raw is simpler than people expect. There's no weaning, no slow integration, and no need to mix a little raw into the kibble bowl for a week.

Skip the Slow Transition

Make sure the food is at room temperature for best palatability, and start on a day off so you can keep an eye on things. We don't recommend mixing Artisan Raw with kibble in the same meal. If you want to feed both, keep them separate — raw in the morning, kibble at night, never together. Cooked food digests slower than raw, and mixing them in one meal can hold the raw up in the stomach long enough for bacteria to get a foothold.

What "Normal" Adjustment Looks Like

Some dogs go through what we call nutritional detoxification when they move from a heavily processed diet to real food. It doesn't happen to every dog, and it isn't dangerous — it's the body working through the gap between what it was getting and what it's getting now. Keep an eye out for: runny or weepy eyes, extra waxy buildup in the ears, loose or mucousy stools, a sausage-like casing on the stool, gas, bad breath, itchy skin, an oily coat, dandruff, or a bit of body odour. These can show up, disappear, then reappear weeks later. If your dog is really struggling with it, a short course of acidophilus, aloe vera, or bee pollen can help ease things along.

When to Actually Worry

A day or two of loose stool or mild vomiting right after the switch usually isn't cause for concern. What's worth a call to us: vomiting that continues past a couple of days, real lethargy, or symptoms that just aren't settling. It could point to an intolerance for a specific protein. Either way, reach out — we stand behind our food 100%, and if a particular formula isn't the right fit for your dog, we'll help you find one that is.

"We do not recommend a slow transition, and we do not recommend mixing kibble and raw in the same meal."

Next up: once you've made the switch, the next question is always the same one — how much do I actually feed?