Feeding Raw, Rotating Proteins, Rotating Types/Brands, etc...

[meandmytwo]

Hi!

For the last couple of months my boys Frost and Freeway have been doing well on Primal Nuggets in Turkey.
We’re ready to introduce different proteins. We’ve rabbit ready in the freezer! Same thing, Primal Nuggets.

I am wondering how you’re supposed to introduce new proteins and how to rotate from there.

Can I just give them a full meal of a different/new protein right off the bat, or should it be introduced slowly to avoid upset tummy as is recommended when switching to a new kibble or canned… by mixing the two. (I thought I read somewhere that when feeding raw it’s best not to mix proteins in one meal - although I have seen two or more proteins blended in commercial raw.) And then how to go about rotating from there...

Because turkey is the more economical of my choices right now, I’m thinking that would be their main diet, say for two weeks at a time and then for 4 days feed something different. Besides the turkey they’d be getting 2 or 3 other proteins every couple weeks. Or is that not an ok way?
(Turkey is $25/bag which last me 4 days feeding both my boys. The rabbit is $35/bag, same size bag)

I am also wondering if it’s ok to rotate different brands of commercial raw or rotate commercial with home made (being that these would be somewhat different recipes). I’m not sure why I would do that… possibly to eventually introduce home made or if I want to try a different protein that Primal does not provide.

And what about continuing to feed canned once in a while (1 or 2 meals each week) of the canned they had been eating, in the event they need to return to it, to keep them used to it. Does anyone do this?

Last question for now : My boys still get kibble for snacks when I am not home (Noon and 5 pm) in between their breakfast and bedtime raw feedings. But, I am sometimes home at those times (several times a week) so could I give them raw at those times instead, or is it better to stick with the schedule?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Sheldon13]

I feed different proteins all the time. I mean like, every meal is something different. I didn't start out that way but introduced 1 protein at a time. Eventually though we started to just grab something different put of the freezer every time.


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[Xandria]

You can totally mix up proteins. But it's best to introduce a new one and feed only that for a little while just to ensure that there are no food allergies. It is far easier to spot food allergies with the introduction of one new protein at a time. Once you've established all the proteins that they like, then switch it up from meal to meal her day today.

I used to even go so far as to label all the jars of my homemade cat food, but now I just throw everything in the freezer and they get what they get! LOL

You could definitely introduce other brands of commercial raw food. But sometimes they won't take to a slightly different recipe (go figure). Honestly I do not see any reason to go back to using canned wet food – It's a completely different formula from raw,, and could potentially cause some tummy upset. In so far as kibble goes, it can be fed between raw feeding..

It's best to stick to a schedule as much as you can. My crew always remind me in no uncertain terms that it is lunch or dinner time. For breakfast, it can vary sometimes which they are accepting of.

I hope that helps! Glad things are going well in the raw front.

 

[meandmytwo]

I feed different proteins all the time. I mean like, every meal is something different. I didn't start out that way but introduced 1 protein at a time. Eventually though we started to just grab something different put of the freezer every time.

That's good to know. Thank you @Sheldon13
And you feed home made?

You can totally mix up proteins. But it's best to introduce a new one and feed only that for a little while just to ensure that there are no food allergies. It is far easier to spot food allergies with the introduction of one new protein at a time. Once you've established all the proteins that they like, then switch it up from meal to meal her day today.

I used to even go so far as to label all the jars of my homemade cat food, but now I just throw everything in the freezer and they get what they get! LOL

You could definitely introduce other brands of commercial raw food. But sometimes they won't take to a slightly different recipe (go figure). Honestly I do not see any reason to go back to using canned wet food – It's a completely different formula from raw,, and could potentially cause some tummy upset. In so far as kibble goes, it can be fed between raw feeding..

It's best to stick to a schedule as much as you can. My crew always remind me in no uncertain terms that it is lunch or dinner time. For breakfast, it can vary sometimes which they are accepting of.

I hope that helps! Glad things are going well in the raw front.

Great information @Xandria. Thanks! Along with all else you share about raw feeing.

I will introduce rabbit soon, feed it exclusively for a week or two to see how that goes. Then back to the turkey for a week or so to see that they'll still eat that. And introduce another protein from there.

So, just so I'm clear, most commercial raw recipes (likely home made as well) are close enough that a slow transition *should not* be necessary when introducing a new one. As in 1/4 new food with 3/4 old food and that business, to limit gastro upset. (If I were to notice the quick intro is not going well I would back off some.)

This is exciting.:cat:

 

[Condo commando]

I used to even go so far as to label all the jars of my homemade cat food, but now I just throw everything in the freezer and they get what they get!

Ahhh I'm so anal I still keep track of what's what (different color lids). The cats....they couldn't care less LOL.

 

[Xandria]

So, just so I'm clear, most commercial raw recipes (likely home made as well) are close enough that a slow transition *should not* be necessary when introducing a new one. As in 1/4 new food with 3/4 old food and that business, to limit gastro upset. (If I were to notice the quick intro is not going well I would back off some.)

This is exciting.:cat:

I don't see why you can't just jump into a new product or recipe of raw. But if there is some gastric trouble, it's likely the transition. In other words, I don't think you can really know if kitty's body is going to be happy on a specific recipe or food until they've been on said food for a few weeks.