Getting Started with Raw Feeding
Real Food for Dogs
The aim of raw feeding is to provide dogs with a diet that reflects their species-specific nutritional needs. Raw feeding means offering dogs the kind of food they would eat in the wild: meat, bones and organs.
Getting started with raw feeding using MUSH complete meals made in Finland is surprisingly easy, and no previous experience is needed. Give raw feeding a try and offer your dog species-appropriate food made from fresh ingredients, free from unnecessary fillers such as grains or corn. Raw feeding has also helped many dogs overcome various health and well-being challenges.
Which Product Should I Start With?
The MUSH Everyday series offers suitable options for dogs that are new to raw feeding.
Everyday Green is an excellent choice for introducing your dog to raw feeding. It contains less bone and more vegetables than other products in the Everyday series, making it gentle on the digestive system. It’s particularly suitable for dogs transitioning from dry food to raw food, as well as senior dogs, small breeds and picky eaters.
Everyday Green is a complete and balanced meal, so there’s no need to add anything else. You can serve it on its own or alongside your dog’s current food while making the transition.
If you’re introducing raw feeding to a puppy, we recommend starting with Everyday Green. Once your puppy has adjusted to raw food, you can switch to Everyday Puppy, which is specially formulated to support healthy growth and development.
How Do I Start Raw Feeding?
We always recommend introducing raw feeding slowly and gradually, step by step. Start by mixing a small amount of raw food with your dog’s usual food, then gradually increase the proportion of raw food while monitoring your dog’s digestion.
MUSH Everyday Green is an excellent choice for dogs new to raw feeding. Its slightly lower bone content makes it particularly suitable for transitioning from dry food to raw food.
Most dogs adapt to raw feeding without any problems, although some may experience temporary changes in digestion during the first week or two. Every dog is different, so adjust the transition to suit your dog’s individual needs.
Raw Feeding Step by Step – A Simple Guide to Get Started:
Day 1 – Day 4
Replace a portion of your dog’s current food, equivalent to one meatball, with one raw complete food meatball of your chosen product.
Day 5 – Day 8
Replace a portion of your dog’s current food, equivalent to approximately two meatballs, with two raw food meatballs.
Day 9 – Day 12
Replace a portion of your dog’s current food, equivalent to approximately three meatballs, with three raw food meatballs.
Continue Like This...
Continue until you have completely replaced your dog’s current food with complete raw food. After two weeks of regular raw feeding, you can start introducing other flavours to your dog’s diet.
From Introducing Raw Food to Exploring New Flavours
Helpful Tips:
After two weeks of regular raw feeding, you can start introducing different flavours to your dog’s diet.
If your dog is small (under 10 kg) or very small (under 5 kg), it’s best to start with half or even a quarter of a meatball during the first few days. For larger dogs, you can begin with a greater number of meatballs. A suitable starting amount is approximately 10% of your dog’s daily food intake.
Some dogs adapt to raw feeding more quickly than others, but it’s always best to take things slowly at first. It’s better to transition a little too slowly than too quickly, giving your dog’s digestive system enough time to adjust to the dietary change.
How Much Food Should I Feed My Dog?
Find Out How Much Food Your Pet Needs in Our PDF Guide
Explore MUSH Everyday Products
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about raw feeding.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FEED MY DOG?
We recommend that you feed an adult dog once a day, as this is what it is natural for them. Out in the wild, dogs eat one big meal a day and then they fast. Some dogs may be fussy or even refuse to eat if they are fed too often. If your dog is used to eating more than once a day, you can of course continue in the same way without having to worry about the dog’s well-being.
DO I HAVE TO ADD ANYTHING TO Everyday?
No, you do not need to add anything. Our Everyday products are complete feeds and do not require any supplements. Each dog, on the other hand, is an individual and therefore you should follow the dog’s well-being. Your dog may need fine-tuning of its diet.
MOST DOGS GET USED TO RAW FOOD QUICKLY
It can take time to get used to new things. It is perfectly normal for the dog to react to the new diet when transitioning from dry food to raw food, as it is not used to such nutritious food. For most dogs, the change takes place without problems, and any symptoms (e.g. loose stomach) disappear on their own when the dog gets used to the new food, usually within a week or two.