Hi
I’m new to the forum and would like some input please.
I have a 3 1/2 year old dutch shepherd, usual nutter with high prey drive, which when i got her 2 years ago,was on raw food, by that i mean he gave her half a complete with bones raw chicken morning and night straight from tesco!
She ate it ok but i didn’t like it and it was a total nightmare so i swapped her on to Green pantry kibble as she seemed to scratch a lot.
She swapped over with no issues, absolutely loves it, and she’s still on it but she has been licking her feet and scratching as before.
We have a raw feed specialists in the town so i pooped in yesterday and spoke to the expert in the shop looked at the content of the kibble and said she thought it was vey high in carbs that could be causing the issues.
I said i wanted to get her back on to raw food but properly not a half chicken job!
She put me on to Pettit and Boo Natures Instinct raw which i have started tonight.
We gave her kibble as usual this morning and the raw this evening, as advised.
My question is that according to the makers website advice we should not mix kibble and raw after the 7-10 day transition period because of different breakdown times and gut needs etc.
The girl in the shop said i can swap straight over without slowly introducing raw and i can feed kibble in the morning and as long as i leave an 8 hour window between kibble and raw i can feed her raw in the evening without any issues.
I’m confused about what we should be doing TBH. Makers say different to shop expert trained in their products so any advice and help would be much appreciated please.
So, Can i feed kibble in the morning at 9am and raw at night at 6pm or should i follow the transition period and do away with kibble altogether?
Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you’re really dedicated to giving your Dutch Shepherd the best nutrition, which is great!
The debate around mixing kibble and raw food is quite common. Some key points to consider:
Digestion Differences – Kibble and raw food digest at different rates, which is why some experts recommend a full transition instead of mixing. However, many dog owners successfully feed both with an 8- to 12-hour gap, like you mentioned.
Transitioning – If your dog has a sensitive stomach, a slow transition (7–10 days) is often recommended to prevent digestive upset. However, some dogs handle a direct switch just fine, especially if they’ve had raw food before.
Carbohydrates & Allergies – If your dog was scratching on both kibble and raw, it’s possible that an ingredient in the kibble (like grains or fillers) was the culprit. The switch to a more balanced raw diet could help, but keep an eye on any reactions.
Listening to Your Dog – Ultimately, your dog’s reaction is the best indicator. If she’s adjusting well with no stomach issues, the current feeding schedule might work for her. If you notice any digestive discomfort, you may want to follow the full transition process.
Would love to hear how she gets on with the new raw diet! Keep us posted. 