Okay so my Oakley gets to come home on Saturday from the breeders and I am wanting to start him on raw as soon as possible ( I live three doors down from a butcher shop). I have done weeks worth of research and think as an owner I am ready to start. I understand that the transition between kibble and raw can be tricky so any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.

My biggest questions are these

1. Is it okay to start an 8 week old puppy on a raw diet?

2. How fast should the transition go? I have heard over 2 weeks and over a month.

Again any advice would be really appreciated.

I'm pretty sure most people here have switched to raw cold turkey. I got Rogue at 9 weeks (she was a rehome) and she was on Royal Canine- I took her off it the next day and started feeding chicken wings. Koda was around 5 months when I switched him to raw and that was cold turkey as well. No issues.

My biggest questions are these

1. Is it okay to start an 8 week old puppy on a raw diet? Not at all - go ahead! There are a lot of thread in regards to raw, a search can provide help with what to feed a puppy.

2. How fast should the transition go? I have heard over 2 weeks and over a month.
I did both of mine cold turkey - not single digestive issue.

Do your research on supplements , as people in the raw world debate these! A lot of us use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, vitamin E and either fish or flax seed oil. I also like to add kelp

I am sorry Megan I am a bit confused to the answer to my first question. Are you saying it is okay?

Yes I am!

Okay awesome. I appreciate the advice.

1. That age is fine. Pups can start on raw as soon as they are weaned.

2. Most people switch to raw cold turkey. However a lot of people recommend introducing new meats and organs over the course of several weeks to a month.

Okay cool I guess that bring me to my next question. I have ready that when starting it needs to be a single protein such as chicken or fish. Being that the price of fish is rediculous here in the Midwest chicken is my only option. Can I just feed him chopped chicken or does it need to be specific parts of the chicken I.e wings and thighs?

Most people start with chicken wings and feed it as is. You have to hold it while they eat so they do not choke on the bone. Be careful though of getting your fingers nipped, lol, Ro got mine and as a reflex I put it in my mouth since I was bleeding and I got salmonella.

Good to know. Last thing I want is salmonella. But hey should eat the bone and all though correct.

Heather! wrote:

Most people start with chicken wings and feed it as is. You have to hold it while they eat so they do not choke on the bone. Be careful though of getting your fingers nipped, lol, Ro got mine and as a reflex I put it in my mouth since I was bleeding and I got salmonella.

wow heather. I'm glad you are okay. I wear rubber gloves if I handle the meat, and Cato was munching and I got in the way..I was bleeding a little bit but I thought twice before putting it in my mouth thanks to gloved hands. Otherwise, I would have done the same thing.

Yes, they eat bone and all. Chicken wings are a good starting point but you don't need to stick with them for long, chicken parts from young chickens are smaller and make it easier for pups. Like for my Chihuahuas I buy parts from young chickens whereas for my sibe I buy parts from adult chickens so they are a lot bigger. Cornish hens are a good size for puppies. As for holding the meat, it's a good idea for starting out. Once you know your pup will chew and not swallow it whole you won't need to hold it.

My puppy started on raw at 4 weeks old. You can feed chicken wing's, but my girl was eating chicken quarters by 8 weeks of age. I took a pair of scissors and cut the meat off the bone into small pieces and gave it to her like that and included the bone as well.

I switchen my male pup over to raw cold turkey as well with no issues.

I don't give mine any supplements, but was considering adding fish oil. I do throw in an entire raw egg (shell and all) 1-2 times a week. I give them their organs at that time too.

Awesome guys great information. My fiancé's biggest concern is if the chicken bone splinters it could injure the puppy? Is this something i will have to worry about with raw bone? I know it's an issue with cooked bones. Last thing I want is an emergency vet visit because of something I could have prevented. thank you for the advice about Cornish hens Valerie. I will see if my butcher has any in today. If there is anything else you guys can think of please let me know.