One evening, after eating her second raw meal, my Boston Terrier puked all over my bed, taking out three beloved pillows. So, I looked into if it’s normal for dogs to throw-up after switching to a raw food diet.

The short answers

Is it normal for your dog to throw-up after switching to a raw food diet?

It’s fairly common for dogs to vomit or regurgitate food in the first few weeks of their raw diet. Here are a few reasons why:

• Lacking the proper enzymes to digest the pathogens in raw meat
• PH imbalance in the gut (generally from a dry kibble diet)
• Eating too quickly
• Food poisoning (usually from spoiled meat)

Should I take my dog to the veterinarian if they throw-up after eating raw?

Unless your dog vomits multiple times in a short window of time, can’t hold down water, or has blood in his/her vomit or stool – you probably don’t need to rush to a vet. Instead, skip their next meal, switch to a stomach-friendly protein (rabbit or turkey), and wean them off kibble at a slower rate.

What can I do for my dog to help him/her stop throwing-up after eating raw food?

If your dog throws-up their food within minutes of eating – they are most likely regurgitating (not vomiting) their food – and, will need to slow down their eating speed. Slow down their eating speed by serving the raw food frozen or in a Kong toy.

If your dog throws-up within hours of eating – something about the raw food isn’t sitting well in their gut. Here’s what to do in order:

1. Switch to a stomach-friendly protein (rabbit or turkey)
2. Incorporate pancreatitis derived enzyme supplements into their diet
3. Switch to canned dog food and slowly introduce raw food over a 30-day period

What should I do if my dog is still throwing-up after the first couple of weeks switching to raw food?

See a holistic veterinarian with a background in canine nutrition. While biologically appropriate raw food is the ideal diet for most dogs, there may be underlying digestive or autoimmune reasons why cooked or canned food makes sense for your dog.

For help finding a holistic vet, read my post on How to find a vet who supports a raw dog food diet.

Ginny, my Boston Terrier, is a professional thrower upper. She probably vomits bile – a clear, sometimes yellow liquid – once a day.

Why dogs vomit, especially after beginning a fresh raw diet

At a certain point, we were so concerned for her health we rushed off to the vet with a ziplock bag of her puke for testing. Luckily, she left with a clean bill of health.

For Ginny, I’d say at any given time about 5% of the content in her stomach is made up of dirt. It’s not like she runs outside and eats dirt – rather, she brings the frisbee, we throw the frisbee, the frisbee (now covered in drool) collects dirt – and the cycle continues 50 more times.

And that brings us to the first lesson – dogs, unlike humans, can throw-up at will.

An evolutionary advantage to being a carnivore is the ability to expel any potentially harmful toxin in the stomach. Which, makes sense for an animal who eats sun-baked rotting meat on the regular.

For Ginny, the nutritional advantage of digesting dirt doesn’t outweigh the potential disadvantages – so, long story short, she’s put a lot of mileage on my Swiffer.

Vomiting, as I learned, is a fairly common side-effect for newly raw-fed dogs – especially if their prior diet was monotonous.

Humans, compared to most pets, have an extremely varied diet. Yesterday, I had eggs for breakfast, avocado with lunch, and salmon for dinner – and I didn’t feel the need to vomit up my food.

“But, Andrew,” you scream “dogs aren’t humans!”

Yes, and thank God. Because if we ate what feral dogs eat, I’d have pidgeon for breakfast, roadkill for lunch, and a serving of poop to cap-off dinner. My point is, a biologically appropriate fed dogs can handle a lot more variation than the standard kibble-fed dog.

If you were sold the same lies from the pet food industry as I was, then you too were lead to believe dry kibble is a “balanced meal” – and in the interest of your dog’s health, you should feed them the exact same meal day-in and day-out.

So, let’s do a thought experiment – let’s say, starting now, you can only eat burnt biscuits – every day, every meal, for the next year. And then, on the 366th day, I give you chocolate cake.

I’m willing to bet, like your dog, you’d wish you could vomit on command too.

A weak digestive system is the most common reason your dog will vomit on the first week of a fresh raw food diet. Dog’s eat the same meal for an extended period of time have an underdeveloped gut – and lack the proper enzymes, bacteria, and gastric PH level for digesting new foods.

Sometimes also called mono-gut.

So, the first time your dog eats fresh raw food – the gut will work overtime trying to learn how to properly digest it; which, may result in your dog releasing its own escape hatch – and, vomit all over your memory foam pillows.

A moral to this story is to keep your dogs off of any beloved furniture that first week.

That said, mono-gut isn’t the only reason your dog could be throwing up after eating raw food.

Here are a couple of other reasons your dog may be sick:

1 – Your dog isn’t vomiting, but rather regurgitating food

I know it seems like splitting hairs, but there is a big difference. Vomit is when your dog releases the contents of his/her stomach. Regurgitation is when your dog releases the contents of his/her esophagus.

Regurgitation will most commonly happen within minutes of your dog eating. It’s usually an indication your dog is eating too quickly – which, can certainly happen if she/he isn’t familiar with moist food or bones.

The best fix for regurgitation is slowing down their eating speed. I recommend either a) freezing the food before serving or b) stuffing the food into a Kong-like toy (check out Amazon for current pricing).

2 – Your dog has food poisoning

Wolves can eat four-day-old raw meat. Your kibble-fed dog can’t. When you feed raw – especially in the beginning – it is essential the food your serving is fresh; meaning, store the meat you’re using within the next two days in the refrigerator and the rest in the freezer.

If your dog is vomiting multiple times in a short window of time, can’t hold down water, and/or has blood in their vomit or stool – stop reading this and take them to your veterinarian.

What you can do for a dog throwing up the first week of their raw diet

Assuming your dog doesn’t have food poisoning – there are a few things you can do to help them stop vomiting in the first few weeks of raw feeding:

1. Switch to a stomach-friendly protein (rabbit or turkey)
2. Incorporate pancreatitis derived enzyme supplements into their diet
3. Switch to canned (moist) dog food and slowly introduce raw food over 30-days

1 – Switch the protein source

Fatty proteins are harder to digest than a leaner cut of meat. If your dog is struggling with fresh raw meat, then switch over to turkey or rabbit. This also works many times for diarrhea, which you can read more about in my other post, How to Help a Dog with Diarrhea After Switching to Raw.

Once your dog has adjusted to their raw diet, slowly reintroduce the more mainstream proteins, like chicken and beef.

2 – Incorporate an enzyme supplement

If switching the protein source doesn’t stop your dog throwing-up, he/she may just need some outside assistance with digestion.

A balanced raw diet should contain 10 to 15% organ meats – like liver and pancreas – which, is the natural way to aid enzyme production in your dog. So, make sure your raw ratio is right before buying anything.

However, if your raw ratio is correct – an enzyme supplement should help your dog in the interim. Just make sure it’s a) appropriate for canines and b) derived from the pancreas.

There’s a difference between acute vomiting (a few times here and there) and chronic vomiting (consistently for several weeks).

If it’s the latter, find a holistic veterinarian trained in canine nutrition, as your dog may have an underlying issue and/or need a specialized diet.

Good luck, and remember – anything but kibble!

Here’s what I learned and how I helped him get through it:

The short answers

Why does your dog have diarrhea after eating raw food?

• Not enough calcium in their food
• Too much fiber in their food
• Allergic to the protein source (common with beef & chicken)
• Too many calories for their age, body-weight, and activity level
• Lacking proper enzymes for digestion
• PH imbalance in the gut
• Food poisoning from spoiled meat

Should you take your dog to the veterinarian if she/he has diarrhea switching to raw?

Unless your dog has uncontrollable diarrhea & vomiting in a short window of time (signs of food poisoning), blood in their stool/vomit, or a blocked airway, save yourself the trip to the vet. Try these first instead:

• Fast them for 12 to 24 hours
• Make sure 10 to 15% of their meal is raw digestible bone
• Reduce the plant-matter in their meal to less than 20%
• Switch to a stomach-friendly protein source (rabbit or turkey)
• Serve the correct amount of food (2 to 5% of their adult body-weight depending on age and activity level)
• Incorporate pancreatic derived enzyme supplements into their diet

How long should you expect diarrhea after switching to a raw dog food diet?

Assuming you followed the above tips, diarrhea usually clears within two weeks of starting your dog on a raw diet. There are two factors working against your dog’s digestive system during this time:

1. They may not be able to synthesize the correct enzymes for digesting raw meat
2. Their body is in detox-mode, pushing out any toxins from their prior diet – other symptoms include vomiting, mucus in stool, mucus in eyes & ears, excessive shedding, and lethargy

Why dogs have diarrhea the first couple of weeks into their raw diet

Let’s talk about dog poop for a minute.

The reason you may be switching (or considering) switching your dog to a raw diet is because you’ve heard about the wonderful poop.

And this isn’t an exaggeration – raw poop is what made me a believer. The first two dogs I switched to raw made the transition with few problems – minimal diarrhea and maybe one vomit scare.

The poops though…were magical – once large, smelly, and impossible to clean out of a rug – were small, odorless, and easy to clean.

So, when I transitioned Gotti, my rescue Pit Bull, from kibble to fresh raw food, I assumed it would be just as easy. What I didn’t understand was a) Gotti had been on a vegan kibble diet for years and b) he had sensitivities to certain proteins (hence the excuse for vegan kibble).

And, I didn’t make it any easier on him. I wrongly assumed because my other two dogs had no problem switching to raw food overnight, he would have no problems either.

Every dog enters the raw food journey at their own pace – your job is to figure out what your dog’s body is telling you and facilitate the right pace for switching him/her to raw.

Doggy Digestion 101

Dog’s are carnivores – if the sharp teeth aren’t a dead giveaway, then know their stomach is proportionally larger, more acidic, and their digestion tract is shorter – all so they can kill & push out the pathogens in raw meat.

The possible Salmonella or E. coli in raw meat that would kill us, humans – dogs consider probiotics.

But, when we stray away from a species-appropriate diet for dogs – and feed them toxic baked crap, like kibble – their enzymes, bacteria, and stomach acid adjust to tolerate a food source they were never meant to eat.

When a dog tries to digest the carbohydrates mixed into the standard commercial kibble (as much as 50%) – it’s similar to plunging a loaf of bread into your garbage disposal.

Because the food stays in their stomach longer, the PH level of their stomach acids decreases – resulting in a chain reaction of decreased enzyme production from their liver and pancreas.

So, once your dog switches from kibble to eating a biologically appropriate diet, the natural tools they’d normally use to digest raw meat have been severely dulled.

But, all hope isn’t lost – like working out a muscle, most dogs will self-correct their gastric PH and start producing the correct enzymes within a few weeks of switching to raw.

In the meantime, you may see a few side effects from their self-correcting digestion system – primarily diarrhea.

What to do to alleviate diarrhea for a dog new to raw food

So, now that you know WHY diarrhea may happen after starting a raw diet – here’s WHAT you can do to help your dog self-correct his/her gut

1 – Get the raw ratio right

The most common reason for diarrhea – regardless if your dog is new to it or not – is not incorporating enough calcium into their raw meal.

Calcium = Bone

Your dog should be eating 10 to 15% raw bone with their muscle meat. Serve the bone to them raw (DO NOT COOK OR MICROWAVE), and if you’re afraid they may choke, grind it up with a hammer before serving it.

Next, a raw dog diet usually consists of somewhere between 10 and 20% plant-matter low on the glycemic index, which aids in digestion and developing a diverse microbiome (gut bacteria).

However, if your dog is experiencing diarrhea in the first few weeks of eating raw, reduce the plant-matter down to 5% or less. At times like this, I like to use a stomach-friendly fiber, like unsweetened canned pumpkin.

Last, make sure you’re giving your dog the right amount of food for their body-weight, age, and activity level. Typically, it’s going to be somewhere between 2 and 5% of your dog’s body-weight.

But, there are other factors that may be contributing to your dog’s diarrhea – like, how many calories/grams your protein source contains. Stay tuned for an upcoming post dedicated to this topic.

2 – Figure out what’s right for YOUR dog

Every dog is unique – and will face unique challenges when transitioning to a raw food diet.

If getting the ratio right doesn’t alleviate diarrhea within a couple of days, fast your dog for 12 to 24-hours – skip a meal or two and let your dog’s immune system repair their own gut.

Your dog won’t die from not eating a couple of meals – read my post Why skipping a meal (or two) isn’t a big deal for more information.

After the period of fasting is over – switch your dog to a more allergy-friendly protein – like rabbit or turkey. Allergies to chicken and beef (or rather the antibiotics in chicken & beef) are fairly common.

One last note on food allergies (because I can hear the steam coming out of some people in the raw community) – your dog may not be allergic to beef or chicken, but may just have a hard time digesting the fattier types of meat. After the raw transition period is over, and your dog has self-corrected his/her digestive tools (1 to 3-months), reintroduce those proteins just to make sure.

3 – Get the right supplements

Next, if your dog is still experiencing diarrhea after a few days, your last option before the vet should be to supplement the necessary enzymes your dog needs.

I don’t believe you should spend money on supplements unless you absolutely need to. Your dog can absorb many of the proper enzymes from consuming the right percentage of organ meat in their food (10 to 15%).

However, your pup may need a helping hand at the beginning of his/her raw diet journey – so, if you purchase an enzyme supplement, make sure it’s a) appropriate for canine digestion and b) derived from the pancreas.

Last, if your dog’s diarrhea still doesn’t clear after a day or two (I’m so sorry for your carpet), switch her/him to a commercial wet food (with no BPA), and slowly transition him to raw over the course of a month.

In the long run, wet food is not nearly as nutritious as a fresh raw diet, but it’s still streets-ahead of dry kibble.

Anything but kibble.

When you should visit the veterinarian for a dog with diarrhea from raw food

I want to get the common sense items out of the way first.

If your dog a) vomits & has diarrhea multiple times within a short window of time, b) has blood in their vomit or stool, or can’t hold down water – stop reading this and take her/him to the vet immediately.

Luckily, my dog Gotti’s diarrhea cleared up as soon as we switched protein sources (turkey) – and now I’m slowly reintroducing beef.

However, at a certain point, shit may hit the fan (pun intended). If you’ve exhausted all the above options over the course of 4 to 6-weeks, you’ll need counsel from a professional holistic veterinarian with a background in canine nutrition.

For many reasons, mainstream veterinarians are for the most part anti-raw, sometimes dry-kibble salespeople. So, read my post How to find a veterinarian who supports raw feeding before booking the appointment.

Happy pooping!

The short answers

What causes bad breath (halitosis) in dogs?

Most often, bad breath is caused by bacteria living in the plaque build-up on your dog’s teeth. Taking your dog to the vet for a cleaning (semi-annual) and brushing his/her teeth at least 3-times a week is the quickest fix for bad breath.

Will switching my dog to a raw diet fix his/her bad breath (halitosis)?

In the short-term, no – cleaning your dog’s teeth will have a more immediate impact on your dog’s bad breath. In the long-term, absolutely – dry-kibble is a leading cause of plaque build-up and bacteria in your dog’s mouth.

Besides plaque build-up, are there any other causes for my dog’s bad breath (halitosis)?

Yes, here are the other leading causes:

• Gum disease & oral cancer
• Kidney disease
• Consumption of a toxic substance or foreign object
• Diabetes

*If your dog’s breath does not clear after cleaning his/her teeth and switching to a raw-food diet – seek the professional advice of a holistic veterinarian.

Now you can stop holding your breath – let’s dive into this in more detail.

Why dry kibble makes your dog’s breath smell terrible

When I picked up Gotti, my rescue Pit Bull, I was handed a bag of dog food and instructed not switch him to any other food because he had health issues – including, itchiness, yeast infections, and of course stinky breath.

I already feed my other two dogs raw – and I know the health benefits of a raw diet over kibble – so I crossed my fingers when I signed the paperwork and threw the bag of kibble in a trashcan on my way out.

There are two culprits causing plaque build-up on your dog’s teeth – sugar and simple carbohydrates.

Just like humans, dogs have an enzyme, amylase, which breaks down certain carbohydrates for digestion. From a dietary point of view, this is the single biggest difference between wolves and dogs. The mechanisms dogs developed to process starchy foods runs parallel to the mechanisms humans developed at the beginning of the agricultural revolution.

Except, one caveat – where humans produce amylase in their saliva, dogs secrete amylase from their pancreas as an aid to digest the carbohydrates in their stomachs.

In humans, amylase breaks down starchy foods before the molecules have a chance to attach to our teeth. This is important because once starch gets stuck on a tooth, saliva will harden over it forming yellow tartar – which, is a feasting ground for bacteria.

As effective as amylase is in the saliva – about 50% of humans have periodontal disease. And that’s with many of us brush our teeth daily!

Dogs, on the other hand, can’t break down those carbohydrates with just their saliva; and, seeing as dry kibble has up to 50% carbohydrates, and dogs can’t brush their own teeth – our furry friends are f*cked.

In fact, the American Veterinary Dental College put out a study confirming 9 of 10 dogs develop gum disease by the age of three.

90 PERCENT! We have to do better.

So, what does this have to do with your dog’s bad breath?

Well, if your dog eats dry kibble and is not regularly taken to the vet for teeth cleanings, then there’s a 90% chance the horrendous smell coming out of your dog’s mouth is caused by bacteria farts.

Bacteria attach itself to your dog’s plaque build-up by the billions and then proceeds to all fart directly into their mouth.

What you can do about your dog’s plaque build-up and bad breath

1 – Brush your dog’s teeth, immediately.

Go to the store, pick up a dog toothbrush (or your own), and scrub your dog’s teeth at least three times a week.

For an easy homemade solution, simply blend coconut oil and mint – which, will help remove trapped plaque and smell minty fresh.

Last, take your dog for a professional cleaning with your vet at least twice a year. In my case, I took my rescue for a cleaning the first week I had him and his breath was instantly much better.

2 – Switch to a raw food diet.

There’s a saying in a raw dog food Facebook group I belong to: “anything but kibble”

In some sense, dogs evolved with humans to eat carbohydrates out of necessity. Becoming man’s best friend was a survival strategy that forced ancient dogs to tolerate carbohydrates.

TOLERATE is the keyword here. Dogs are scavenging carnivores, and while they may survive without raw meat, their health will suffer over a long period of time without it.

If you prepare raw food at home it can be very similarly priced to kibble – if you buy commercial raw it’s substantially more expensive.

If you don’t have the time or resources to go raw, then buy wet dog food (just check for no BPA) – or do a part kibble, part raw diet, and keep up the brushing three times a week.

What’s so frustrating about switching from a kibble diet to a raw diet is you probably won’t have the support of any mainstream veterinarian. I’m not conspiratorial by nature, but in this case, just follow the money – the American Veterinarian Association is heavily influenced by the same companies selling you dry kibble.

Check out my other article for help finding a vet who will support your decision to go raw.

3 – Feed raw bone as a treat

Once a week I feed Gotti a raw cow femur and he goes crazy for it. But, even better, raw bone is nature’s way of cleaning your dog’s teeth.

Now, there are a few things you absolutely need to keep in mind before giving your dog a raw bone:

• Only serve bones raw – never cook or microwave them, because they will become dry & brittle and could potentially kill your dog
• Serve recreational bones for teeth cleaning – some bones, like chicken, are meant for eating. Other bones, like cow femur or hip, are meant for chewing
• Supervise your dog – especially if they’ve never done it before – although rare, dogs of all sizes can choke on bone fragments

What if your dog’s bad breath isn’t caused by gum disease?

So, worst-case scenario, you’ve followed the above steps and your dog’s breath still stinks like nothing else.

Here are a few other possibilities (all which you’ll want to visit your veterinarian):

1 – Your dog has diabetes – if your dog’s breath smells sweet (like nectar) and he/she is peeing more frequently, then it’s a tall tail (pun intended) sign of diabetes.

2 – liver or kidney disease – again, see your veterinarian as soon as possible for blood work.

3 – Unhealthy gut – if your dog has a week microbiome (the bacteria that make up the gut) then he/she’ll have trouble fighting off dangerous bacteria. Same as the plaque build-up, you’re still smelling bacteria farts, but it’s now coming from the gut. Before heading the vet, try probiotics and low glycemic indexed vegetables as it will promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your dog’s stomach.

Otherwise, get those toothbrushes out and start scrubbing!

How should you go about finding a veterinarian who supports raw feeding?

1. Find a holistic vet in your area, preferably one who specializes in animal nutrition – you can do so at ahvma.org
2. Utilize social sites like Facebook and Nextdoor for recommendations from local raw feeders
3. Call and ask, “What are your thoughts on feeding raw?” – if they’re against it – simply move on
4. If you don’t have any options in your area, stay away from veterinary franchises (like the VCA), and go to your first appointment ready to defend your decision to feed raw

Why should you find a veterinarian who supports raw feeding?

• The specifics of a raw diet can vary from pet-to-pet – and a certified veterinary nutritionist is qualified to make those calls
• Feeding your dog an unhealthy, unbalanced raw diet can be more detrimental to his/her health than dry kibble
• Modern medicine has a major role in the overall wellbeing of your pet – you want a vet who knows when let nature take its course and when to intervene

Why Should I Find a ‘Holistic’ Veterinarian?

The primary goal of a holistic veterinarian is to take into account all the factors affecting your dog’s health and execute the most minimally invasive treatment possible.

As opposed to Western medicine – which, typically takes the mechanic approach to care. Where does it hurt? How do I make it not hurt anymore? Here’s a pill to make it not hurt anymore…

I’m not implying Western medicine is a bad thing – modern advances in healthcare have saved and improved the quality of countless lives (for both humans and our pets) – in fact, modern care is so efficient at relieving our symptoms, the root causes of those symptoms can be completely missed.

A holistic vet, on the other hand, is more likely to investigate other factors affecting your dog – such as behavior, home life stressors, genetics, medical history, and of course diet & nutrition. Ideally, a holistic vet wants to identify the root causes (there’s most likely multiple) of your dog’s ailment and give him/her the tools to recover using their own immune system.

For reasons I’ll get into later in the article, holistic veterinarians are a lot more likely to embrace raw feeding, because a) it’s outside the mainstream of veterinary practice and b) in addition to their mainstream veterinary education, they’ve also received additional education in canine nutrition.

I Don’t Have a Holistic Veterinarian in My Area – What Now?

If you don’t have a holistic veterinarian in your area – don’t panic yet! There may be pro-raw vets in your area who don’t practice holistic medicine.

1 – Join the Nextdoor App and find local raw feeders – if they’ve been feeding raw for a long time then they’ve most likely found a supportive vet

2 – Search “raw feeding for dogs” in Facebook groups – most regions have a local group

*Pro-tip: The Nextdoor App is a great resource for finding neighbors with freezer burnt raw meat to spare. Also, local FB groups typically know the best butchers in town!

Even if a vet doesn’t practice holistic medicine, knowing they are onboard with raw-feeding is a huge advantage. You’ll have the piece of mind knowing a) your vet is familiar with balancing raw food diets and b) they won’t food-shame you and your dog.

Why Should I Stay Away From Veterinary Hospital Chains?

I’ll get straight to the point on this one – veterinary chains are either in or vulnerable to being in the pocket of the pet food industry.

Don’t believe me? Then why does Mars, Inc. – the candy bar company – own nearly 2,000 animal hospitals throughout the country?

Is it because they love animals?

No, it’s because they own 9 pet food brands – including Pedigree, IAMS, and Nutro – and they found another avenue to shove their toxic kibble down our throats.

“But, Andrew…” you say, “there are nearly 30-thousand veterinarian hospitals across the country – why avoid the EVERY franchise?”

Because this is not going to stop. Mars Inc is on a buying rampage and other pet food manufacturers will be soon to follow.

…And that’s about as conspiratorial as I like to get in this blog.

Why is it so Difficult to Find a Veterinarian Who Supports Raw Feeding?

Here are the most common reasons veterinarians object to the raw food diet for your dog:

1. Raw foods diets aren’t balanced
2. Raw food diets aren’t regulated
3. Raw food diets expose both people and pets to dangerous bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. Coli
4. Raw food diets can result in tragedy, such as pets choking on bones
5. There is no scientific research proving that raw diets are more beneficial for your pet than kibble

I feel there is merit to each of these claims, so let’s examine each in more detail

1 – Raw foods diets aren’t balanced – it’s extremely important to do your homework before starting your dog on a raw diet. One reason vets are so critical of raw feeding is they see so many horror stories. Most commonly, when owners only feed their pet ground meat resulting in a very sick dog.

Your dog needs to eat muscle meat, organs, bone, and vegetables to thrive – make sure you know the how and what of raw feeding.

2 – Raw food diets aren’t regulated – this is true, and if you are purchasing your raw food from a commercial supplier you’ll want to make sure they have a great reputation. If you are prepping the raw diet yourself, then look for grade A, grass-fed meat when financially feasible.

3 – Raw food diets expose both people and pets to dangerous bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. Coli – also 100% true – in fact, in a study cited by the AMA, up to 80% of home raw meals may contain Salmonella. Dogs are carnivores – they have a digestion system designed to handle dangerous bacteria. Salmonella is their version of a probiotic.

Humans, on the other hand, cannot handle dangerous bacteria like Salmonella – and there have been statewide outbreaks originating from homemade raw food.

Do everyone a favor and follow these safety protocols when handling raw meat:

• Wash dog bowls with a separate sponge after every meal
• Feed your dog(s) on a hard surface you can disinfect (disinfect after every meal if you have kids!)
• Take your dog on regular walks so they can poop away from where you and your kids play
• Freeze all meat until you’re ready to feed it to your dog, and only leave it in your fridge for a maximum of seven days

I’ve been feeding my dogs raw for nearly two years now and have never had a problem. So, I believe in you.

4 – Raw food diets can result in tragedy, such as pets choking on bones. When feeding your dog bones, I recommend sticking with raw (uncooked) chicken bones. Never feed your dog cooked bones! Other than that, just serve ground bone and you’ll never have a problem.

Aside from that, YOU KNOW YOUR DOG BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE – if you have a small chihuahua, leaving it alone with relatively giant chicken bone isn’t a good idea. If you have a dog who gulps down food in a split second, whole bones are probably off the table.

5 – There is no scientific research proving that raw diets are more beneficial for your pet than kibble – this is also true, but that’s because more studies into raw feeding haven’t been funded. Instead, the studies your veterinarian will most likely quote have been funded by the pet food industry. And somehow those studies keep proving dry, tasteless kibble is the epitome of dog nutrition.

What If My Only Option is a Veterinarian Who Doesn’t Support Raw Feeding?

It’s a difficult situation; but, that’s why I provided the above list – so that you can do your homework before that first visit.

Your vet has the best intentions for the health of your dog – however, there are many forces dissuading him/her from accepting raw food as a viable diet for your pet.

Instead of attacking their thoughts, just come prepared to defend yours, and open to having a discussion with the vet. A decent vet may not like the diet, but they will do everything in their power to support you and the health of your dog.

Why is it okay for your dog to skip a meal?ñÒ Simply put, the energy your dog would have spent digesting food is free to repair their body and strengthen their immune system. Fasting is only recommended for adult dogs (1+ years), on a balanced raw food diet, and for no longer than 48 hours. ñÒ

For a Dog, Skipping Meals is in Their DNA

The term “Wild Health” was coined by Dr. Barbara Royal, author of The Royal Treatment*. It’s a holistic approach to animal care with the guiding principle an animal’s behavior in its natural habitat should guide the health decisions we make for our pets at home.

*SIDE NOTE: If you’re curious about raw feeding, The Royal Treatment is a great place to start. Here is an Amazon link to the book.

So, how does “Wild Health” apply to your dog? – your fluffball Pomeranian is as far from “wild” as it gets, right?

Well, it’s true the modern dog is the most successfully domesticated animal in human history. But, your little fluffball still shares 98.8% of its genetic makeup with the gray wolf.

In fact, dogs and wolves can mate and birth fertile puppies (e.g. puppies who will also be able to reproduce someday). That’s a big deal. Different species of elephants can’t do that.

So, as the theory goes, the eating habits of the gray wolf is indicative of the optimal eating habits of your dog. Wolves are scavenging carnivores who eat when they can get it – not on a tight two-a-day schedule. One day they may feast on deer and two days later they may get lucky and nab a tasty rabbit.

Regularly Scheduling Meals is a Human Construct We Impose on our Dogs

At this point, you may be thinking, “So, just because wolves do it my dog has to too?” Like, if all the wolves jumped off of a bridge, blah blah blah.

Even though our dogs look wildly different from their wild counterparts, they still share a stunningly similar digestive system. And, Mother Nature tends to know what’s best for its animals, including dogs.

Dogs, like us, generate their cellular energy from mitochondria, often regarded as the “powerhouse” of any animal body. Mitochondria is responsible for every movement we make, whether it’s voluntary, like moving your hand, or involuntary, like a heart circulating blood through the body.

Converting food into energy is a huge endeavor for the body. This is partly why we tend to feel so tired after eating a huge meal. And because of the resources it takes, the body often has to sacrifice other functions, like self-repair, in order to meet the energy demands of digesting food

Imagine for a second the body as an automobile – the gas represents food, which is meant to make the car move. What if the car has to move whenever there’s gas in the tank? How much more difficult is an oil change when the car is moving? How much more dangerous is it when the engine is running?

Luckily, we can turn the keys and shut off a car. That’s not the case with you or your dog.

By regularly fasting your dog, you are allowing its body to shed and produce new mitochondria, strengthen its immune system, so she/he can more effectively heal and ward off infection & disease.

For even more information, check out this great video from Rodney Habib’s Youtube Channel:

Should You Intentionally Fast a Dog?

I have three adult dogs, all over a year old – and I make it a habit to fast them one day a week. This means each of my dogs skips two consecutive meals once a week – usually on the weekends when I have more time to distract them.

First, I wouldn’t recommend skipping meals for a puppy under one year. Puppies are notoriously hungry for a reason, and the chemical reactions in their bodies are all pointed towards growth. Growing body mass requires a lot of food at this stage of their life, so it’s not a good idea to deny them any.

Next, I solemnly believe in feeding my dogs a raw diet. For those unfamiliar with the term, it goes back to the “Wild Health” philosophy I mentioned earlier in the article. I feed my dogs as close a possible to what they would eat in the wild – high amounts of raw animal protein, moderate amounts of healthy fats, some veggies, and minimal grains and carbohydrates.

What does a raw diet have to do with your dog skipping meals?

1 – A raw diet contains a moderate amount of healthy fat – and dogs are well equipped to use this fat as an energy source for long periods of time. So while they may be hungry the first few hours I fast them, their body quickly gets with the program and taps into those energy reserves.

2 – Dry kibble contains a high amount of carbohydrates derived from grains – which dogs are ill-equipped to use as an energy resource. If your dog eats dry kibble, they’re going to burn through those carbohydrates in a just a few hours, and come looking for you to put down the food bowl for their next energy fix.

If your dog is currently eating kibble – I strongly recommend going a) raw and b) not forcing her/him to skip meals. All it will do is make them really cranky and potentially cause long-term behavioral issues.

However, if your dog doesn’t feel like eating when you put down the bowl – great! Don’t force it on him/her, but allow them to decide what’s right for their body, and when they need extra energy to heal.

Last, if this type of fasting all sounds vaguely familiar to you, then you’re probably thinking of intermittent fasting – which is sweeping the United States at the moment.

Intermittent fasting yields just as many positive effects for the human body as it does for your dog. Learn more at the Keto Kamp Youtube Channel for more information on fasting your dog:

If My Dog Skips a Meal, Should I Double the Proportions of the Next Meal?

Personally, I never double proportions – but rather add 1.5 times what they would’ve originally eaten. I do this for a couple of reasons:

1. Your dog’s stomach will shrink, especially if they skip two meals. If you give them two to four times a regular meal, you’re just asking for them to puke all over your new sofa.
2. Let’s go back to the automobile analogy – if your dog’s body is the equivalent of a car, then the more fuel you put into it the more mileage you’ll put onto it. The more calories you put into your dog the more…mileage you put onto her/him? Okay, the metaphor is sticky, but you get the idea.

Last, if my dogs miss one meal – I add 1.5 times to the next meal. If my dog misses two meals – I add 1.5 times to the next two meals. I don’t have any science to back it up – it just feels right.

When Should I Be Concerned About My Dog’s Loss of Appetite?

My dogs are my family – and there is no amount of debt I wouldn’t take on to make sure they’re living healthy, happy lives. But, I do believe we’ve been culturally programmed to rush to the veterinarian at the drop of a hat.

Yes, I get it, they can’t talk…

But, if something is truly wrong with your dog, you will see signs, such as:

• Blood in the stool
• A drastic change in behavior – especially aggression
• Unrestefullness – they constantly look in pain
• Uncontrollable vomiting
• Not drinking water
• White gums (which could also be dehydration)

If your dog skips two, even three meals, and there are none of the above signs, perhaps they’re fighting off an infection. Let their bodies do what they were designed to do.

After the third meal, I’d call my vet to let them know what’s going on. You can schedule a preliminary appointment for the next morning.

If your dog goes two full days without eating – something is probably up. Never force food on them, but at a certain point, hop into the car. It’s time to go to the vet.

How Long Can My Dog Go Without Eating?

And, just in case you’re curious, a dog can go up to five days without food before it will begin to experience serious problems, like kidney failure.

But, of course, we won’t be letting it get that far, right?

Happy fasting!