Adult dogs and cats who have never been fed a raw meat diet should be introduced to the raw diet slowly. 24 hours before starting to feed a raw diet, add a tablespoon of plain, unflavored yogurt, acidophilus or a tablet of Pro-Zyme to their food to increase friendly bacteria and enzymatic action in the stomach and digestive tract. These products can be found at any health food store. If you do not, you may notice a short period of flatulence (gaseousness) as the body responds to the new diet. Don't worry, this will pass. Some animals may experience a short period of loose stools. This, too, will soon end.On week one, replace 1/4 of the animal's regular food with raw meat, mixing it in thoroughly. On week two, increase the mixture to half Nature's Menu and half the old diet. Week three increases to 3/4 Nature's Menu, 1/4 old diet. By the end of week three you are ready to feed Nature's Menu straight.
One side effect of a raw diet will be quickly apparent; a large reduction in stool as well as a significant reduction in odor. Stool odor is evidence of unused protein and also the reason many dogs eat feces (in an attempt to obtain more protein).