Changing Diet To Raw

[ESCS]

I have read the threads on feeding raw with interest. I would like to try an all raw diet for my tibbies. They already have chicken necks,frames and wings in the morning. Their evening meal at the moment is Holistic Select (fish) with sweet potato,mackerel/salmon,egg , yogurt or cottage cheese mixed in every now and again. I am thinking of changing to BARF patties for their evening meal. Being rather lazy, I would like an easy option for raw feeding! Is BARF patties a good option? Would I add the patties to their kibble to prevent stomach upsets from sudden diet change or is it not a good idea to mix raw and kibble together? Thanks.

[Dr Bruce Syme]

Hi ESCS certainly do a transition period between processed and raw. We used to say just do the switch but as Dr Bruce Syme looked into gut acidity and realized how the gut pH changes when lower levels of protein are fed (BARF and VAN are over 40% dry weight protein.... check the protein level of your dry food). Feed half/half for a week or so to ease the transition of the stomach pH back down to ~2. Your already feeding a decent quantity of raw with the chicken so you could go straight to the patties.

Edited April 21, 2012 by Vets All Natural

[ESCS]

Thanks for the advice.