Keep Your Dog Thriving: Raw Nutrition for Every Stage of Life

Raw nutrition is one of the best ways to give our dogs a long, happy and healthy life. Made using only responsibly-sourced proteins and organic fruits and vegetables, our raw recipes support a dog’s health—from puppyhood to their senior years. Let’s walk through the unique nutritional needs of dogs at each life stage and explore how Primal’s raw recipes can help you meet those needs, ensuring they stay in their prime every step of the way.

The Benefits of Raw Nutrition for Puppies, Adults, and Seniors

Here’s how raw nutrition can benefit your dog through each stage of life:

Puppies: Building a Foundation for Lifelong Health

During puppyhood, dogs need a nutrient-dense diet that supports their rapid growth, cognitive development, and immune system. Primal’s raw recipes provide essential amino acids, healthy fats, and calcium to promote strong bones and lean muscle mass development.

Adult Dogs: Maintaining Vitality and Strength

Adult dogs benefit from a balanced diet that provides high-quality protein and healthy fats to sustain energy levels and support lean muscle mass. Primal’s raw nutrition delivers these essential nutrients naturally, with no synthetic vitamins, minerals, or anything artificial.

Senior Dogs: Supporting Comfort and Longevity

As dogs enter their senior years, their nutritional needs change. Senior dogs require a diet that supports joint health, digestion, and a balanced metabolism. Raw nutrition can be particularly beneficial for senior dogs as it’s easier to digest, helps maintain a healthy weight, and provides natural anti-inflammatory benefits for joint support. By providing a raw diet for your senior dog, you’re helping them stay active and happy in their golden years.

Transitioning to Raw: Primal’s Canine Transitioning Guide

Whether you have a young puppy or an older adult, introducing raw food gradually is key to ensuring your dog adapts well to the new diet. Check out our transitioning guide below for more details:

Days 1-3

Mix any Primal Balanced Base into your dog’s current food at a ratio that your dog will tolerate. You can start this with as little as 1/4 Primal to as much as 3/4 of your pet’s current food. Pro Tip: Primal Pronto’s bite-sized, scoop-and-serve format makes for an easy transition process.

Days 4-6

If your dog accepts the raw food during days 1-3, increase the amount of raw food to ½ Primal and ½ current food for each meal. Pro Tip: If your dog is experiencing any gastrointestinal distress during the transition, try adding Raw Goat Milk or Awesome Squash Fresh Topper to each meal. 

Days 7-9

For days 7-9, continue to increase the amount of raw food to 3/4 Primal and 1/4 current food for each meal. Pro Tip: If your dog is showing any disinterest in starting a new diet, try adding our Bone Broth as an appetite stimulant to make the transition easier.

Days 10+

You did it! Congratulations on adding fresh raw foods to your dog's diet. Watch your dog thrive at every stage of life while experiencing the many benefits of raw nutrition.

Ready to Make the Switch? Find Primal Near You

Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy or caring for a beloved senior, Primal’s raw diet can help you provide the best nutrition for your dog’s unique needs. Visit our store locator to find Primal products near you and watch your dog thrive at every stage of life.