{"id":20735,"date":"2026-08-07T16:18:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T16:18:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chuckanddons.com\/blog\/?p=20735"},"modified":"2026-08-11T19:29:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T19:29:37","slug":"raw-diet-dogs-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chuckanddons.com\/blog\/food-and-nutrition\/raw-diet-dogs-cats","title":{"rendered":"SHOULD I FEED MY DOG OR CAT A RAW DIET?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Did you know <\/span><\/span>raw pet food<\/span><\/span><\/a> is packed with more moisture, <\/span>nutrients<\/span> and protein than traditional dry <\/span>kibble<\/span>? <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span> because <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> minimally processed with simple, high-quality animal ingredients. Whether <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> considering making the switch to a <\/span><\/span>raw diet<\/span><\/span><\/a> or simply want to learn more about the benefits, <\/span>we\u2019re<\/span> here to help. In this blog, <\/span>we\u2019ll<\/span> provide answers to your top questions. Plus, <\/span>you’ll<\/span> find helpful tips for transitioning your pet to a raw diet and a guide to the best raw pet foods.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t<\/span> have time to read the whole blog? <\/span><\/span>Head to our <\/span><\/span>Ask <\/span>an Expert<\/span><\/b>: FAQs<\/b> <\/span><\/span>at the end<\/span> for quick answers to your questions about raw pet food.<\/span><\/span> <\/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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\"WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A RAW DIET FOR DOGS & CATS?\"<\/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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Dogs and cats can enjoy many benefits on a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw diet<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Here are the top 10 reasons why we recommend switching your pet to a raw 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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  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 these\u00a0<\/span>raw food benefits<\/span>\u00a0and learn how they can help your pet thrive.<\/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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    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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    Because\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw food<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0is packed with vitamins, minerals and protein, pets who are fed a raw diet often experience increased energy and vitality throughout every phase of 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>\u00a0<\/span>c<\/span>ontain<\/span>\u00a0natural enzymes that break down bacteria in your pet\u2019s mouth, helping to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease.\u00a0<\/span>Raw food<\/span>\u00a0is also low in carbs, reducing\u00a0<\/span>the dental<\/span>\u00a0acid production that can\u00a0<\/span>lead to<\/span>\u00a0tooth decay.<\/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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    Formulated based on your pet\u2019s biological needs,\u00a0<\/span>raw food<\/a><\/span>\u00a0is easier to digest and gentler on sensitive stomachs. Many recipes also include probiotics to support healthy digestion.<\/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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    Added bonus<\/span>? Because\u00a0<\/span>raw food<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is easier and more efficient for pets to digest, it means smaller,\u00a0<\/span>firmer<\/span>\u00a0and less stinky stools! Once your pet has fully transitioned to a raw diet, they may even poop less \u2013 as their body\u00a0<\/span>utilizes<\/span>\u00a0more of the food and eliminates less.<\/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 food<\/a><\/span>\u00a0is made with clean, simple ingredients, including real meat,\u00a0<\/span>organs<\/span>\u00a0and bone. This means no hidden ingredients or inflammatory fillers like corn,\u00a0<\/span>soy<\/span>\u00a0and wheat, which can trigger allergies. However,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0important to note that pets who are allergic to a specific protein (e.g., chicken or beef) will still be allergic to it in its raw form.<\/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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    High in protein and low in carbs,\u00a0<\/span>raw food<\/a><\/span>\u00a0naturally supports healthy weight maintenance for pets. A raw diet helps promote lean muscles while minimizing excessive fat storage.<\/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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    The high-quality nutrients and antioxidants found in\u00a0<\/span>raw food<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>help strengthen your pet\u2019s immune system. These antioxidants help lower your pet\u2019s risk of chronic disease, slow the aging\u00a0<\/span>process<\/span>\u00a0and support overall wellness.<\/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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    Who\u00a0<\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0love\u00a0<\/span>a silky<\/span>, smooth\u00a0<\/span>coat<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Raw diets<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0are packed with clean ingredients, natural oils and fatty acids that support healthy skin and a 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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    Naturally rich in protein \u2013 plus glucosamine,\u00a0<\/span>chondroitin<\/span>\u00a0and L-carnitine \u2013 raw diets<\/a> support strong muscles,\u00a0<\/span>joints<\/span>\u00a0and bones. This can help your pet stay active longer as they age.<\/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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    Pets are\u00a0<\/span>essentially professional<\/span>\u00a0taste testers \u2013 and\u00a0<\/span>they\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0be sure to let you know if they\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0like\u00a0<\/span>what\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0in their bowl. Thankfully,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw meals<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0are highly palatable, packed with delicious flavors and interesting textures to entice even the pickiest eaters.<\/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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    When sourced from trusted brands, a\u00a0<\/span>raw diet<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is safe and healthy for many pets. Chuck & Don\u2019s only carries high-quality brands that we feed our own dogs and cats. Our raw food partners adhere to the highest standards and conduct testing throughout every phase of the production process to ensure safety and quality. As with any change, we recommend consulting your vet before switching your pet to a fully raw diet, especially if they have any preexisting health conditions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>

    When preparing raw food or treats, use care to minimize the risk of contamination.\u00a0It’s\u00a0also important to ensure raw products are stored safely at home by following the storage instructions on the packaging.<\/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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    \"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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    Ready to make the switch to a\u00a0<\/span>raw diet<\/span><\/a>? Slowly mix a little new food into your pet’s current food each day to avoid tummy troubles. You can even add a little\u00a0<\/span>pumpkin<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>goat milk<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or a\u00a0<\/span>probiotic supplement<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to their bowl for added digestive support.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    \u00a0<\/span>We recommend the following schedule\u00a0as a general rule\u00a0of thumb (or paw), but you can take it even slower if your pet has a sensitive stomach. After\u00a010 days, most pets should be fully transitioned onto their new diet.<\/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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    When it comes to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>raw pet food<\/span><\/span><\/a>, a little goes a long way. Even introducing a small amount of raw food to your pet\u2019s diet delivers big health benefits. 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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