How to successfully switch your dog from raw food to dry food

Dog in the forest with DOG'S LOVE dry foodDog in the forest with DOG'S LOVE dry food

You‘ll be happy to hear that the right nutrition creates the basis for a healthy and happy life for your dog. And there are many ways to optimise dog nutrition. Whether BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), wet or dry food, it is crucial that your pet receives all the important nutrients from high-quality ingredients. 

Dogs need a balanced diet: Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The exact composition should meet your dog's nutritional requirementsand be adapted to your dog's age, activity level and health circumstances. Nutritional needs change over the course of a dog's life. Intolerances, allergies or loss of appetite can also necessitate a change in food. Maybe your dog no longer tolerates the previous food so well, or your everyday life has changed. 

Changes bring new opportunities. Switching to dry food can be a sensible and practical solution to nutritional problems,and it gives you the opportunity to respond to the current needs of your four-legged friend. If you make the switch from a BARF diet to dry food nice and gradually, then everything should run smoothly.

What are the reasons for switching from BARF to dry food?

BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food and is based on raw meat, offal and vegetables. This natural form of nutrition requires a lot of planning and knowledge,as you have to make sure that your dog gets the right amounts of all the essential nutrients.

Perhaps you've decided that this feeding method is no longer practical. Or your dog has developed a sensitivity to raw food. Or maybe a visit to the vet has revealed that your dog is deficient in essential nutrients. Balance can be restored with a nutritious complete feed.

Dry food is a simple, time-saving alternative that can be high quality and healthy if the quality is right. It is a practical choice for when it comes to meeting your dog's needs, especially when you are on the move, travelling or on a tight schedule.

Dog in the kitchen with a bag dry food from DOG'S LOVEDog in the kitchen with a bag dry food from DOG'S LOVE

What makes a good dry dog food?

When it comes to dog food, the quality of ingredients is the most important thing. High-quality dry food is painstakingly prepared and contains a high percentage of (fresh) meat. It should be free from additives such as sugar, artificial flavourings and preservatives and meet age-specific requirements. 

Nutritionally sensitive dogs or allergy sufferers should be given single-protein dry food with only one type of protein. A grain-free recipe is ideal, as it is particularly palatable and compatible. Healthy dry dog food is made with natural ingredients and contains all the important nutrients. Prebiotic additives such as FOS and MOS in dry dog food can help promote vitality.

Tip: A high percentage of fresh meat is a good sign of high quality!

The challenges of changing food

Changing food poses new challenges for your dog's digestive tract. The gastrointestinal tract is adjusted to the previous diet and can react sensitively to changes. 
Studies show that dogs’ digestive tracts take a few days to adjust to a new diet. A gradual and gentle change of food helps to minimise indigestion such as diarrhoea or flatulence. A food’s composition influences the amount and type of digestive enzymes needed. Dry food can intensify the digestive process, as the stomach must spend longer breaking down the food. 

Raw food contains more moisture than dry food. So to be able to benefit from compact dry food and its high nutrient density, your dog’s digestion must slowly change. And your dog needs to drink more water to optimally digest the dry food. Most dry dog foods have a moisture content of less than 10%, so you should moisten the food slightly at first. This facilitates the transition. 
The microorganisms in the intestine, which are essential for digestion and the immune system, also adapt to the new food composition. FOS and MOS – fructo-oligosaccharides and mannan-oligosaccharides – are fibre and prebiotics that support ‘good’ gut bacteria. If a dry food contains FOS and MOS, this can stabilise digestion in the long term. 

By changing slowly, you give your dog's gastrointestinal tract the necessary time to adapt. This reduces the risk of digestive problems and stabilises your dog's intestinal flora. An abrupt change can overwhelm the digestive tract and lead to avoidable stress.
Tip: Make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times.

Bowl by bowl – changing food in small steps

A ‘classic’ feed change involves slowly introducing the new feed. At each meal, a small amount of the new food is mixed into their usual one. The proportion of new food is gradually increased over the course of 2 weeks until only the new food is left in the bowl. Since the composition and digestion times of BARF and dry food differ significantly, experts often advise against combining both types of food in one meal. While dry food spends longer in the stomach due to its low moisture content, BARF’s higher water content means it is digested more quickly.The calorie density and nutrient concentration of dry food also deviates greatly from that of a raw meat diet. This makes it difficult to calculate the right food portions exactly. 

Make the food change as gentle as possible for your dog. A good start is to gradually replace the daily treat ration with the new dry food. This allows your dog to slowly get used to the new food. Then gradually reduce the amount of BARF feed until you can replace a complete meal with dry food.

Pay close attention to how your dog reacts to the change and give him enough time to get used to it. If all goes well, further reduce the amount of old food until only dry food is being served.
It is best to gradually replace one meal at a time over a period of about 14 days (or longer for sensitive dogs). For example, start with dry food in the morning and continue with raw food in the evening. This allows your dog's digestive tract to slowly get used to the new food without being overwhelmed.

Feeding both types of food simultaneously in one meal can unnecessarily strain their gastrointestinal tract and cause digestive problems such as flatulence or diarrhoea. A careful change of feed reduces the chance of digestive problems.

Conclusion: Patience pays off

Switching from BARF to dry food is a sensible step that can bring many benefits – from easier handling in everyday life to a balanced supply of nutrients. It is crucial to approach the change gently and patiently so that your dog can easily accept the change. 14 days is a realistic period for a successful feed change.

Choose a high-quality dry food that provides all the important nutrients to ensure that your dog is well taken care of. Pay attention to the individual needs of your four-legged friend and adjust the pace of the changeover if necessary. With patience, care and loving support, you can make the change from raw food to dry food a positive experience. If questions or uncertainties arise, do not hesitate to seek veterinary advice. Your dog will thank you.

More articles

Your dog might like this