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One of the reasons I became active in the raw feeding community was to create a resource that would allow me to quietly soak in how everyone is feeding their pets. One topic that comes up, again and again, is the concept of fasting dogs and I want to share how I tackle this step with my dogs.
What is Fasting for Raw Fed Dogs?
Fasting our dogs is a periodic day off from eating. Wolves aren't eating twice a day, they occasionally fast because their prey isn't always available. As raw feeders, we're adapting a wolf's diet to that of a domesticated dog, and for some raw feeders, that means that we should fast our dogs.
- To Fast or Not to Fast Your Dog – That is the Question, Rob Mueller for BARFWorld
- Are there Any Proven Benefits to Fasting, John Hopkins Health Review
Why We Should Consider Fasting our Dogs
A healthy raw fed dog that is at the proper weight probably doesn't necessarily need to fast. But there are benefits to consider…
- Fasting our dogs gives their gut a break from constantly breaking down foods
- Fasting promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut
- Fasting our dogs allows the immune system to recharge and promotes self-healing
- Fasting our dogs helps their system naturally detox
- Fasting boosts a dog's metabolism, promoting fat burning and toning
3 Ways Raw Feeders Incorporate Fasting
At first, I was nervous about fasting my dogs. I worried that they'd be hungry, that I'd have to avoid sad puppy eyes all day, or that they'd get hunger pukes. None of that happened. Our dogs are fine.
If you're worried about fasting your dogs, there are three ways that you can incorporate fasting into your dogs' diet:
1 – Fast your dogs once a week; feeding them a slightly heavier meal the other days to make up for the loss. The day of the week isn't important; consistency is key.
2 – Fast your dogs by feeding them once a day; the rest of the day mimics fasting as the gut resets itself. Feeding dogs once a day makes meal planning easier. When you feed once a day, you want to feel 100% of the food in one meal. For instance, if your dog eats two pounds of food daily, then you'll feed a 2-pound meal instead of dividing the food into two 1-pound meals.
3 – Allow your dog to self fast; if your dog doesn't feel like eating, allow him or her to take a break. My dogs have self-fasted on occasion. Usually, when they have an upset stomach or because they're not hungry.
How to Incorporate Fasting into a Raw Diet
Adding a fasting day to my dogs' routine turned out to be surprisingly easy. On Friday night, my dogs get a heavier meal than what they usually eat (3-5 ounces more) and they don't eat again for 20-24 hours. When I break their fast, I feed them a normal amount of food. So far, no one has had hunger pukes, and although I know the dogs wouldn't mind eating Second Breakfast and Third Dinner, they're doing okay.
Try a No-Fast Fast with Raw Goat's Milk
Over time, I decided to switch it up a bit, and instead of doing a true fast, as I did in the beginning, my dogs get two meals of raw goat's milk or bone broth. The puppy gets his normal meal.
Is it Necessary to Fast a Raw Fed Dog?
Absolutely not! I've been feeding raw for more than six years (started in 2013), and I started actively fasting my dogs in 2017. And, as I stated earlier, I would never fast a puppy unless they had an upset tummy and then I would feed them a light meal of bone broth.
While my dogs have enjoyed the benefits of a weekly fast, I don't think fasting is required for a raw fed dog to be healthy. I believe that it's a great idea to try fasting, especially if you're raising a dog with digestive issues that can benefit from a day of fasting because fasting may help to strengthen the gut.
I don't immediately jump on board whenever I learn something new about raw feeding. Instead, I try to learn as much as possible, and if it sounds beneficial to my dogs, I take the time to figure out how best to incorporate it into their diet. Otherwise, I file it in the “Things That Are Good to Know” cabinet because I'm confident it'll come up later.
Fasting Warnings…
- I do not fast puppies; they are growing rapidly, and I'd be concerned about them not getting enough nutrients. I have mixed-breed dogs and wait until they stop growing (around a year of age) before incorporating a modified fast, at first, into their diet.
- I would not fast a dog that is prone to seizures. Fasting a dog can potentially trigger seizures, especially in dogs with certain health conditions, such as epilepsy or low blood sugar levels. Dogs require a consistent supply of glucose for energy, and prolonged fasting can lead to hypoglycemia, which may trigger seizures.
Read More About Fasting for Dogs
- Therapeutic Fasting – This Dietary Habit of Wolves Might Be Right for Your Dog Too But Never for a Cat, Dr. Karen Becker
- To Fast or Not to Fast Your Dog – That is the Question, Rob Mueller for BARFWorld
- Why You Should Fast Your Dogs, Dana Scott for Dogs Naturally Magazine
- Are there Any Proven Benefits to Fasting, John Hopkins Health Review
- Intermittent Fasting Can Be a Godsend for Your Pet, Dr. Karen Becker
- The Health Benefits of Therapeutic Fasting, Nancy Scanlan, DVM
I’m not a veterinarian so I can’t explain anything medically about fasting. But I do have a dog with stomach issues and another dog that used to get hunger pukes, and because of them, I won’t do a fast. What I do instead is what I call a “milk fast,” where I give them raw goat’s milk and/or kefir as their meals for the day. That way they get something in their tummy but it’s also not stressful on the digestive system so that the gut can take a break for the day. I do this once a week.
We are just starting a raw diet for our 7 year old labradoodle whose always been fed kibble along with cooked meats (not cooked for us, cooked for him). We’re at about a week now and he’s getting to the point of sniffing and walking away…. Totally not unusual for him…he’s always seemed picky. A friend suggested fasting him, so fasted last night….his tummy was very noisy and he was eating grass, and overnight vomited dark brown liquid with grass in it. Tummy is quiet now and he’s seeming to be hungry. He was diagnosed with IBD a couple of months ago via biopsy. So, with all that said…is fasting still a good idea? This raw world is quite confusing to me at this point. 🙂
I used to think that this was very dangerous, but I’ve met people who have dogs that self fast – they may go one or two days without eating and they’re just fine. When Scout used to self fast, I would put food out for him and add slightly warmed bone broth (to tempt his taste buds). Sometimes he still didn’t want to eat and I’d leave him alone, other times he’d eat.
My not yet one year old puppy often self fasts. It annoyed me as I always thought she just fussed about her food. I changed our raw food supplier way too many times to find one she continuesly likes. Even came off raw a couple of times… So searching the web I found this post. It makes sence!! She is just fasting, bless her… She probably still likes the food offered, just not hungry. She goes for 2 whole days or more, though!! How long can I let her go without giving in to bribing her with cheese or dehydrated meat treats or basically anything just to get her to eat? She is healthy and her digestion doesn’t seem to struggle at all.
Good article. Yet I disagree with raw fed dogs not being a necessity to fast. Wild dogs feed raw and do fast regularly. Domestic dogs fed a primal raw food diet ‘are healthier’ than dogs fed processed commercial pet food diets; however, domesticated means our dogs are sponges for environmental toxins i.e. vaccines, antiparasitic dewormers, pharmaceuticals, human junk foods like bacon, fast-foods, GMO foods etc, passive smokers -secondary and third-hand smoke residue on surfaces, lawn and weed fungicides/pesticides/herbicides, tap water., plastics giving off toxic gasses in furniture, polymer bedding, toys toxic pet-treats, house bug sprays and plug-in serious poisons the list goes on…and lets face it today even our pets meats can harbour toxins and heavy metals especially fish and non-organic GMO free meats. Some councils spray dog parks with glyphosate. So it may not be as often necessary to fast a raw fed dog but it is still necessary just like their cousins.
I always find that Darwin’s is one of the most affordable pre-made raw dog food options that delivers. Do you find that to be the case? Still expensive, of course, but more affordable than some of the other brands. And I like how it has the premium line and the more economical line.
Agreed all around!
We have been fasting our dogs for the last 7 years in the form of once a day feeding in the evenings.
This way they are not “going to bed hungry”, they definitely are not void of energy throughout the day, meal planning IS much easier, and they get all the benefits of fasting without having to feel bad about not feeding them for a whole day.
Everyone wins. 🙂
– Dog Dad