Detoxification Period

Switching from Kibble to a Raw Diet

If you have not fed raw before and your dog was only fed kibble, it is normal for your dog to go through a "detox". In order for your dog to get rid of the toxins that were stored in the kibble, your dog may or may not go through this detox period. Your dog might experience a short detoxification period (typically 0- 14 days) where your dog may exhibit symptoms such as a change of fur odor, vomiting or diarrhea. All pets react differently to the new diet depending on their age and health. Your pet's symptoms may vary in severity and may not exhibit any symptoms at all.
Do not be alarmed if you notice some or all of these things happening to your pet at first. This is a classic example of the toxins stored from kibble coming out. The body is healing itself from the inside out. Once the detoxification process is finished, you will have a much healthier dog. The symptoms should not last more than 2 weeks and if these detoxification symptoms should persist or become extremely worse it is important to seek the help of your veterinarian or your nutritional consultant.

When transitioning to our Raw Health Canine Food from your dogs "old food" we recommend a slow introduction, unless the dog has been on Raw food before starting our food. For example, on day 1 of the transition we recommend 15% Raw Health Canine Food and 85% "old food" for the dogs meals that day. On day 2 we recommend 25% Raw Health Canine Food and 75% "old food." On day 3 we recommend 35% Raw Health Canine Food and 65% "old food." On day 4 we recommend 50% Raw Health Canine Food and 50 % "old food." At this point you will begin serving more Raw Health Canine Food than the "old food." On day 5 we recommend 75% Raw Health Canine Food and 25% "old food." On day 6 we recommend 85% Raw Health Canine Food and 15% "old food." On day 7 you should be fully Raw, concluding the transitioning period.





The following information is from Dr. Pollok article titled "Healing Episodes". It covers the detoxification process well:

"Upon switching to a more nutritious diet, physical and behavioral improvements can be dramatic or gradual depending on the state of the animal's health. Severe nutritional deficiencies and toxic states have been known to mimic almost every known disease in veterinary medicine. In chronic conditions, some developing over several generations, improvement in health can take months or years. A pet's ability to respond to high protein diets may require the individual animal "transitioning" through periods of purification or detoxification. Malnutrition and the toxic condition of the animal fed commercial diets can result in the inability to digest and assimilate basic food components of the fresher, more wholesome type we are describing here. The body will sometimes expel these accumulated poisons during periods of diarrhea, hair loss, or scaling of skin. These periods are known as Healing Episodes. Though these situations are not necessary, they are not uncommon. The body will cleanse itself of these toxic agents before it can assimilate more healthful nutrients to regain a higher state of balanced health.
During these Healing Episodes, the animal's immune system continues to react to remaining toxins and poisons until a gentler, balanced diet can complete the transition to a more resilient internal state. These periods, during which time the animal can have diarrhea, loss of some of its coat, and appear transiently sick, are really signs of a more vital life force finally shedding disease more completely. The situation is an important sign indicating a transitioning to a state of greater Wellness. The frequency, intensity and duration a Healing Episode is totally dependent on the individual animal's health, nutritional state, age and breed. Each animal will react differently during the transitioning to a more nutritious healthier diet. Not always will there be signs of purification. We can rest assured that as long as the animal is clear eyed, bright and full of energy of life, these periods (should there be any) will quickly pass and the need for medical intervention is almost never. As concerned pet owners seek out these more wholesome natural food sources, we can anticipate occasional brief detoxification episodes. Finding professional or lay support that understands the process of Healing Episodes will help make the transition for the owner easier and less filled with fear and doubt."