A guide for new pack members!
With so much information out there, we know your journey to finding Little Hunter may have been a long, daunting one. But you've made it, you've found your way to us! Feel free to enjoy this moment – sit back and put your paws up.
Refreshed? Great!
We're excited to officially welcome you to our pack, and can't wait for you to witness the many perks that come from feeding your pup a biologically appropriate meat-based diet. Speaking of which, it's transition time!
Wait, why do I need a transition plan?
Excellent question. There are two main reasons why you should use a transition plan anytime you're changing your pup's diet.
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Tummy turbulence. A dog's gastrointestinal system can be sensitive to any kind of diet change, even when going from one raw dog food brand to another. Any decent transition plan will include a feeding guide that specifies the ideal old-food-to-new-food ratio.
That feeding ratio helps slowly introduce the new food, keeping your pup's stomach calm and happy. We all know the pains of tummy troubles and a transition plan helps avoid them altogether.
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Palate preferences. While some dogs immediately take to the more savory flavors of an animal-based raw diet, others may be more resistant at first. It's important to know you may just be in the midst of a palate cleanse – give it time!
Show of hands, who has a sweet tooth? ✋ Dogs can develop a sweet tooth just like their hoomans can, due to the added artificial flavors and sugar of some food, especially kibble. Used to make the food more enticing, it may take a few days to reset your dog's palate. In the end, it'll be worth it, especially for your dog – think of it as going from CoCoPuffs to steak.
Now that we know the why, let’s get into the how.
Here's our hassle-free, three-step way to go freeze-dried raw.
Step 1: Feed “less”
In the case of Little Hunter freeze-dried raw, less is more. Because our recipes are flash-frozen and dehydrated raw, they’re incredibly nutrient-dense. The moisture has been removed, leaving you with nothing but hearty, wholesome goodness.
That means one cup of Little Hunter is not comparable to one cup of, say, kibble. It’s closer to three! So if you’re coming from kibble and give your dog one cup of Little Hunter, you’d essentially be feeding them three cups at once, which is a lot for even the most voracious eater!
The smaller portion sizes are easy to get used to but it’s important to be mindful of it when first starting so you’re not accidentally stuffing your pup!
Step 2: Slow & steady
Remember those tummy troubles we talked about? That's where slow and steady come in! By slowly transitioning your dog to Little Hunter over a 10-14 day period, you're less likely to deal with upset stomachs.
Start with a mixture of 75% old food and 25% Little Hunter. Every few days, slowly increase the amount of Little Hunter by 25%. If there's any inkling of tummy gurgles or seemingly disinterest, hold the mixture steady for a few days – you may be dealing with a sweet tooth case! Once a few days have passed, palates have reset, and tummies have settled, continue with the mixture transition.
Step 3: Go for H2O
Like always, make sure your pup has access to plenty of fresh, clean drinking water.
You can also use a bit of water to rehydrate the recipe if your dog prefers more moist food. We’d recommend adding about 1 part warm water to 2 parts Little Hunter. Let it sit for about ten minutes to give it time to work its rehydration magic – then watch as your pup enjoys!
This is also a great tip if you are finding your pup a bit reluctant to taking their first bite, not to worry! Sometimes they're used to the sweet smells of kibble and other addeners/ coatings other brands used to make their food more appealing. They're naturally driven to meat so the smell should entice them even if they've got a sweet tooth. Again, think rice crispies vs beef bowl.
You can also break a small amount up into crumbs and sprinkling over their existing food (so they can't pick around it). Once they get a taste - you should be in the clear.
A potty break before we wrap up
You know everything about your dog, including what their #2s tend to look like. Any change can be alarming, so we'll get right down to dirty business. Here's what to expect when it comes to stools:
- Less frequent and smaller – this is because our freeze-dried raw food is nutrient-dense, meaning your dog needs to consume less.
- A white tinge – sometimes this happens due to the ground bone content that's now in their new biologically appropriate meal.
- Mucus covered – typically seen during the transition period and for a short time afterward, this indicates your dog's digestive system is expelling toxins. While gross, it's a good (perfectly normal) thing!
Your pack is here for you
Your dog is unique. That's one of the things you love about them! That also means they may adapt at their own pace. If you have any questions or concerns, remember we're here for you both. Reach out anytime!
And if you're looking to mix things up and get some variety into your pup's diet, we've got you covered there, too. Check out the many delicious meals and scrumptious treats you have to choose from.
Welcome to the pack!
