How to Transition to Prey Model Raw

 

The Science Behind the Prey Model Raw Diet

The Prey Model Raw (PMR) diet is designed to replicate the natural diet of carnivorous animals in the wild, providing a species-appropriate nutritional balance. A whole prey animal consists of approximately 80% muscle meat, 10% edible bone, and 10% organ (offal)—proportions that should be reflected in a well-formulated canine diet to support optimal health.

 

 

Transitioning to Raw: A Gradual Approach

When transitioning a dog to a raw diet, we do not recommend using pre-made blends that contain both organ and bone, particularly for dogs with sensitive digestive systems. Organs are highly nutrient-dense, and introducing them too quickly can lead to gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and vomiting.

To support a smooth transition, it is advisable to begin with boneless meats for the first week, allowing the stomach’s pH levels to adjust to digesting raw food. This adaptation process typically takes one to two weeks, but every dog is different. The best starter proteins are boneless, skinless chicken or turkey breast, as they are lean, easy to digest, and low in fat.

By following this structured approach, dogs can transition more comfortably, minimizing digestive upset while allowing their systems to fully adapt to a biologically appropriate diet.

 

Adult Dogs

 

How Much to feed?

2%- Weight loss or low energy level

2.5%- Weight maintenance and or moderate energy level

3%- Weight gain and or high energy level

 

2-3% of your dogs body weight. Start with 2.5% and monitor your dogs weight. If your dog looses weight, try feeding 3%, if your dog gains weight, change to 2%. Its not super complicated. If your dog enjoys the couch more than a good long walk aka couch potato, then you can probably start at 2%. If you dog is intact, super active, or a high energy breed, then you will likely end up feeding more. Feed what you need to maintain your dogs heathy weight., you do not need to over complicate it.

 

How to Start: A Step-by-Step Approach to Transitioning Your Dog to a Raw Diet

Week 1: Introduction to Raw Feeding
Begin with boneless, skinless chicken or turkey, with breast meat preferred due to its low fat content. At this stage, achieving precise bone and organ ratios is not necessary; the goal is to allow your dog’s digestive system to adapt to raw food.

If your dog is hesitant to eat, consider:

  • Altering texture (cutting meat into smaller/larger pieces or using ground meat).
  • Adjusting temperature (feeding partially frozen or slightly warmed to room temperature).
  • Providing patience – while some dogs may be picky due to texture preferences, most adjust quickly and enjoy their new diet without issue.

Week 2: Introducing Bone
Once your dog has adapted to raw meat, soft, edible bones can be introduced, such as chicken necks or feet. These provide necessary calcium, while promoting dental health.

  • If your dog gulps food, hold one end of the bone to encourage chewing or feed it frozen to slow consumption.
  • By the end of this week, your dog’s meals should contain approximately 10% bone.

Weeks 3-5: Gradual Introduction of Red Meat Proteins
Begin incorporating red meat proteins (e.g., beef, bison, lamb) in 20–25% increments over a 7-day period to prevent digestive upset.

  • If diarrhea occurs after introducing a new protein, pause any further increases until stools normalize.
  • Each week, add a new red meat protein, maintaining a slow and steady transition.

Weeks 6-7: Introducing Organ Meats (Offal)
Organ meats are highly nutrient-dense and should be introduced slowly:

  • Week 6: Begin with liver, starting with a small ½” x ½” sliver. Do not increase the amount until stools remain firm. Gradually work up to 5% of the total diet.
  • Week 7: Introduce secreting organs (e.g., pancreas, spleen, sweetbread, kidney) in the same manner until reaching 5% of the total diet.

By the end of week 7, your dog should be consuming:

  • 4–5 different protein sources
  • 10% bone
  • 5% liver
  • 5% other secreting organs

At this stage, additional proteins such as fish and eggs can be introduced. Canned sardines in water are an excellent option but should be added gradually to monitor tolerance.

If desired, you may transition to pre-made prey model blends at this point. Ensure blends follow the 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, and 5% secreting organ ratio, with a variety of organ sources for optimal nutrition.

Feeding Frequency & Considerations

  • Once-daily feeding may be beneficial for some dogs, as it mimics natural feast or famine feeding behavior in the wild and may help regulate appetite. (consuming large meals when food is available and fasting when prey is scarce) 
  • However, for breeds prone to bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, GDV), once-daily feeding is not recommended. If your dog is at risk, consult with your veterinarian to determine the best feeding schedule.

By following this structured transition plan, you can help your dog adjust smoothly to a species-appropriate raw diet while minimizing digestive disturbances.

 

Puppies

Yes! You can ween puppies onto a raw diet. If your breeder did not ween your puppy on to raw you can start transitioning them as soon as they come home.

 

Why Raw is Optimal for Puppies

A raw diet provides puppies with a species-appropriate, biologically optimized source of nutrition that supports their rapid growth, immune system development, and overall health. Unlike processed kibble, which often contains fillers, synthetic additives, and carbohydrates that dogs have limited ability to digest, a raw diet closely mimics what canines evolved to eat—whole prey.

1. Digestive Efficiency & Gut Health

  • Puppies naturally have a highly acidic stomach pH (as low as 1-2), which is ideal for breaking down raw proteins, digesting bone, and eliminating harmful bacteria.
  • A raw diet promotes a healthy gut microbiome, leading to better nutrient absorption and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

2. Optimal Growth & Development

  • Raw feeding provides puppies with high-quality proteins and essential amino acids, which are crucial for muscle, bone, and organ development.
  • Naturally occurring calcium from raw bones help build strong skeletal structures without the risk of artificial calcium imbalances, which can occur with processed diets.

3. Stronger Immune System

  • Raw-fed puppies benefit from higher levels of bioavailable vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A (from liver), B vitamins, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids (from fish and bone marrow), which are essential for immune function.
  • The absence of artificial preservatives, fillers, and high-glycemic carbohydrates reduces inflammation and immune system stress.

4. Improved Dental Health

  • Chewing raw meaty bones naturally cleans teeth by removing plaque and tartar buildup, reducing the risk of periodontal disease, which is common in kibble-fed dogs.
  • Puppies learn proper chewing habits early, strengthening their jaw muscles.

5. Balanced Energy & Stable Growth

  • A raw diet provides species-appropriate fats and proteins, offering sustained energy without blood sugar spikes and crashes associated with high-carb kibble.
  • Unlike kibble-fed puppies, who may experience rapid, unnatural growth, raw-fed puppies develop at a steady, controlled pace, reducing the risk of joint issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

6. Healthier Skin & Shinier Coat

  • Raw diets are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, essential for skin hydration and coat health.
  • Puppies fed raw typically exhibit less itching, reduced dandruff, and a softer, shinier coat compared to kibble-fed dogs.

7. Reduced Stool Volume & Odor

  • Raw-fed puppies digest and utilize more nutrients, resulting in smaller, firmer stools with significantly less odor compared to those on processed diets, which contain indigestible fillers.

Conclusion

Feeding puppies a raw, prey-model diet ensures optimal digestion, steady growth, a robust immune system, and long-term health benefits. By providing them with fresh, whole foods in their most natural form, raw feeding sets the foundation for a strong, healthy, and thriving adult dog.

 

How much to feed?

7-10 weeks- 10%-8%

10-16 weeks- 5%-7.5%

16-20 weeks- 5%-6.5%

20-24 weeks- 5%-5.5%

24-36 weeks- 5.5%-4.5%

36-56 weeks- 3.5%

68 weeks to adult- 3%

*Or you can feed 2-3% of their ideal ADULT weight. (Best to look at their parents for this estimate)

 

4 months and under feed 4 times a day

4 to 6 month feed 3 times a day

6 months to a year feed 1-2 times a day

1 year + feed 1-2 meals per day.

 

How to Start: A Step-by-Step Approach to Transitioning Puppies to a Raw Diet

Puppies adapt to a raw diet more rapidly than adult dogs due to their naturally efficient digestive systems and developing gut microbiome. While the fundamental transition process remains the same, puppies can follow a faster adaptation timeline based on the 3-5 Rule, which ensures a gradual introduction of nutrients while minimizing digestive upset.

The 3-5 Rule: Step-by-Step Transition Plan

  1. First few days: Introduction to Muscle Meat

    • Start with boneless, skinless chicken or turkey (breast preferred due to lower fat content).
    • Allow the puppy’s digestive system to adjust before incorporating additional elements.

  2. Days 3–5: Introduction of Edible Bone

    • Begin adding soft bones such as chicken necks or feet at 10% of the total diet. (If your puppy is small or having difficulty consuming bone, you can gently crush the bone with a hammer to make it more manageable)
    • Ensure the puppy is tolerating the bone well (i.e., firm stools) before proceeding.

  3. Every 3–5 Days: Incremental Protein Introduction

    • Introduce new proteins gradually in 3-5 day intervals, ensuring digestion remains stable before advancing.
    • Continue until the puppy is consuming at least 3–5 different proteins (e.g., beef, chicken, lamb, or fish).

  4. After 3–5 Proteins: Slow Introduction of Organ Meats

    • Begin incorporating liver, adding small amounts over a 3–5 day period and increasing gradually.
    • Once liver is well-tolerated, introduce other secreting organs (pancreas, spleen, sweetbread, kidney) in the same controlled manner.

Key Considerations

  • Monitor Stool Consistency: Progress to the next stage only if stools remain firm and well-formed.
  • Prevent Digestive Upset: Avoid excessive fat intake early in the transition, as it can lead to diarrhea.
  • Support Gut Adaptation: Puppies develop their stomach acidity over time; allowing gradual exposure to raw food components optimizes digestive enzyme production.

By following this structured 3-5 Rule, puppies can transition smoothly to a nutritionally complete prey-model raw diet, supporting optimal, slow and stable growth, immune function, and overall health.