{"id":20780,"date":"2026-08-11T18:46:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T18:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chuckanddons.com\/blog\/?p=20735"},"modified":"2026-08-13T18:02:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T18:02:57","slug":"raw-diet-dogs-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.krisers.com\/blog\/food-and-nutrition\/raw-diet-dogs-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"IS A RAW DIET RIGHT FOR MY DOG OR CAT?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Curious about feeding your pet a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw diet<\/span><\/span><\/a>? Unlike traditional\u00a0<\/span>kibble<\/span>, raw pet food is minimally processed and made with simple, high-quality ingredients that naturally\u00a0<\/span>retain<\/span>\u00a0more moisture,\u00a0<\/span>protein<\/span>\u00a0and nutrients. Whether\u00a0<\/span>you’re<\/span>\u00a0exploring raw feeding for the first time or comparing different diet options, this guide covers everything you need to know \u2014 from the benefits of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw food<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0tips for making the transition.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Looking for quick answers? Jump to our\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Ask\u00a0<\/span>an Expert<\/span>: Raw Pet Food FAQs<\/span><\/b><\/span>\u00a0at the end of this guide.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\"WHY DO PET PARENTS CHOOSE A RAW DIET?\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A complete<\/span>\u00a0and balanced\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw diet<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0can support your pet’s health in many ways. Here are 10 of the biggest reasons pet parents choose raw food:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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  1. Energy & vitality<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  2. Oral hygiene<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  3. Better digestion<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  4. Smaller poops<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  5. Food sensitivities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  6. Weight management<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  7. Strengthened immune system<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  8. Healthy skin & coat<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  9. Strong body<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  10. Mealtime excitement<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol>

    Let\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0dig into each of\u00a0<\/span>these raw food<\/a> benefits<\/span>\u00a0and learn how they can help your pet thrive.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    1. INCREASED ENERGY & VITALITY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    2. ORAL HYGIENE <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Raw food<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0delivers naturally occurring protein, vitamins and minerals that help support healthy energy levels and overall vitality throughout every stage of your pet’s life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Raw diets<\/a> can help support better oral health by providing natural enzymes that reduce bacteria in your pet’s mouth. R<\/span>aw pet food is<\/span>\u00a0also lower in carbohydrates, which may further contribute to better dental health.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    3. BETTER DIGESTION <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    4. SMALLER (LESS STINKY) POOPS <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Raw food<\/a> is designed to\u00a0<\/span>more closely match your pet’s natural nutritional needs<\/span>, making it easier for many dogs and cats to digest. Many recipes also include probiotics to promote a healthy digestive system.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Here’s another perk: Since pets are able to digest raw food<\/a> more efficiently, they often produce smaller, firmer stools with less odor.<\/span>\u00a0Once fully transitioned, some pets may even poop less because\u00a0<\/span>they’re<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>utilizing<\/span>\u00a0more of the nutrients in each meal.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    5. LESS RISK OF FOOD SENSITIVITIES \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    6. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Raw recipes<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0are made with simple, whole-food ingredients and without fillers like corn,\u00a0<\/span>soy<\/span>\u00a0and wheat. This can\u00a0<\/span>benefit<\/span>\u00a0pets with food sensitivities. It’s also important to note that this\u00a0<\/span>won’t<\/span>\u00a0prevent reactions to proteins\u00a0<\/span>they’re<\/span>\u00a0already allergic to.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Protein-rich, lower-carbohydrate\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw diets<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0can help pets\u00a0<\/span>maintain<\/span>\u00a0lean muscle while supporting a healthy body weight.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    7. STRENGTHENED IMMUNE SYSTEM <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    8. HEALTHY SKIN & COAT <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Raw diets<\/a> provide antioxidants and other essential nutrients that help support a healthy immune system and overall wellness throughout your pet’s life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    A healthy coat starts with good nutrition. The natural fats and omega fatty acids found in raw recipes<\/a> help nourish skin and promote a soft, shiny coat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    9. STRONG BODY <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    10. MEALTIME EXCITEMENT <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    The high protein content in raw diets<\/a>, along with nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin and L-carnitine, helps support strong muscles, healthy <\/span>joints<\/span>\u00a0and overall mobility.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    If your pet turns their nose up at\u00a0<\/span>mealtime<\/span>, raw food<\/a> may help. Many dogs and cats love the fresh taste and texture of raw meals, making them an exciting\u00a0<\/span>option<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span>picky<\/span>\u00a0eaters.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    \"IS A RAW DIET SAFE FOR MY DOG OR CAT?\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Raw diets<\/span><\/a> can be a healthy\u00a0option\u00a0for many pets when\u00a0they’re\u00a0sourced from reputable companies that follow strict food safety standards. At Kriser\u2019s, we carefully select brands that prioritize ingredient quality,\u00a0testing\u00a0and safe production practices. As always, check with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your\u00a0pet’s\u00a0diet, especially if they have an existing medical condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    You should always handle raw food and treats with care to help prevent contamination during preparation.\u00a0It’s\u00a0also important to ensure raw products are stored safely at home, according to the instructions on the packaging.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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    \"HOW DO I TRANSITION MY DOG OR CAT TO A RAW DIET?\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Introducing\u00a0<\/span>raw food<\/span><\/a>\u00a0gradually helps your pet adjust comfortably. Start by mixing a small amount of raw food into their current diet and slowly increase the amount over time. For pets with sensitive stomachs,\u00a0<\/span>pumpkin<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>goat milk<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or a\u00a0<\/span>probiotic<\/span><\/a>\u00a0can provide\u00a0additional\u00a0digestive support.<\/span><\/p>

    \u00a0<\/span>Every pet is different, but this 10-day transition plan works well for most dogs and cats:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    \"DO I NEED TO TRANSITION MY PET TO A FULLY RAW DIET?\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    You\u00a0<\/span>don’t<\/span>\u00a0have to switch to a fully raw diet to enjoy the benefits. Even adding\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw food<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0as part of your\u00a0<\/span>pet’s<\/span>\u00a0routine can provide extra protein,\u00a0<\/span>moisture<\/span>\u00a0and variety. Depending on what works for your lifestyle and preferences, you can introduce one or more of the following products into your pet\u2019s diet:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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