The Benefits of Fasting for Raw Fed Dogs

Keep the Tail Wagging is supported by pet parents. I occasionally earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you click through an affiliate link to one of my favorite products. Thank you for your support. Read More

Fasting supports detox, gut health, and healing in raw fed dogs. This holistic guide teaches safe methods like intermittent fasting and raw milk fasts.

Fasting isn’t a new trend—it’s a natural biological rhythm that dogs (and their wild ancestors) have followed for thousands of years. In nature, wolves and wild dogs don’t eat at regular intervals. Instead, they feast when food is available and fast when it’s not. Fasting, when done intentionally and appropriately, offers a variety of benefits for raw-fed dogs—from improved digestion to immune support and even cancer prevention.

Here’s what every raw feeder should know about fasting.

What Is Fasting?

Fasting is the voluntary withholding of food for a period of time. Unlike starvation, fasting is a controlled and temporary process that allows the body to rest, repair, and rebalance. In raw fed dogs, fasting supports the body’s natural ability to detoxify, regenerate cells, and maintain a healthy microbiome.

There are several ways to fast dogs, including:

Intermittent Fasting (IF): Reducing the feeding window within a 24-hour period.
Once-Daily Feeding: Offering a single, balanced meal per day.
Raw Milk Fasts: Using nutrient-rich raw milk (usually goat’s or sheep's milk) as a gentle fast for a short duration.

1. Intermittent Fasting for Dogs

Intermittent fasting involves feeding dogs during a limited time window, such as 6–8 hours, and withholding food for the remaining 16–18 hours.

Benefits include:

Improved digestion and better stool quality
Reduced inflammation
Lower insulin and blood sugar levels
Enhanced cellular repair (autophagy)
Hormonal balance and immune regulation

This method mimics the feast-and-fast cycles of wild canines and can help dogs maintain a leaner, healthier body composition.

2. Once-Daily Feeding

For many raw-fed dogs, feeding once daily is a form of natural intermittent fasting. Dogs eat a full, nutrient-dense meal and then rest and digest for the next 24 hours.

Why once-daily feeding works:

Gives the digestive system time to process food fully
Encourages stronger digestive enzymes and bile production
Prevents overfeeding and obesity
Supports natural detoxification between meals

This feeding style is especially beneficial for adult dogs with slow digestion or those prone to food sensitivities.

Scientific Results: Once-daily feeding is associated with better health in companion dogs

3. Raw Milk Fasting

A raw milk fast involves feeding only raw, unpasteurized milk (typically goat or sheep’s milk) for 1 to 3 days. This is not a long-term solution but can serve as a short-term gut reset.

Benefits of raw milk fasts:

Soothes the gut lining
Provides bioavailable nutrients (calcium, enzymes, probiotics)
Helps eliminate toxins gently
Encourages healthy bowel movements
Can help dogs recover from minor illness or digestive upset

Always choose high-quality raw milk from a trusted source, and avoid using this method for dogs with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.

Does Fasting Prevent Hunger Pukes?

Hunger pukes happen when a dog vomits yellow or foamy bile, usually in the early morning or late at night. This occurs when:

The stomach is empty for too long, causing bile to accumulate.
The digestive system is out of sync, especially with irregular or inconsistent feeding.
There's low stomach acid or delayed gastric emptying.

Why Fasting Can Help

Regulates Meal Timing: Feeding once daily (vs. grazing or multiple small meals) sets a consistent rhythm. The body learns when to expect food, stabilizing bile production and gastric motility. Some pet parents have observed a reduction in hunger-related vomiting when they adjusted meal times and incorporated fasting, which better reflects the feeding habits of wild dogs.
Strengthens the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC): The MMC is like a cleanup crew in the gut—it sweeps undigested food and bile out between meals. Fasting gives it enough time to do its job correctly, reducing the chance of bile buildup that triggers vomiting.
Promotes Digestive Strength: Fasting promotes stronger stomach acid, bile secretion, and enzyme output—all of which help process food better and prevent reflux or nausea from an empty stomach.
Prevents Overfeeding + Inflammation: Frequent feeding can irritate the stomach lining, especially if the meals are too rich or inconsistent. A balanced fasting routine gives the gut time to rest and recover, minimizing irritation that could cause pukes.

But Not All Dogs Benefit

Some dogs still need:

A bedtime snack (e.g., raw goat milk, bone broth, or a CBD Treat)
A gentle morning routine to prevent queasiness
Gut support like Gussy's Gut, probiotics, or bone broth

Hunger pukes can also signal gut imbalance, parasites, or liver issues—so it’s important to rule those out if vomiting continues despite fasting.

Fasting and Cancer: What the Research Says

Fasting, especially more prolonged fasts, can activate autophagy, a process where the body clears out damaged cells and recycles them. Some human studies suggest that fasting may:

Starve cancer cells of glucose (their primary fuel)
Trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) in abnormal cells
Enhance the effects of other treatments, like chemotherapy or herbs

However, this does not mean fasting alone can cure cancer. While it can be a supportive measure, extreme or prolonged fasting in sick dogs—especially without professional guidance—can be dangerous.

Fasting and Detox

Fasting gives the body a break from constant digestion and redirects energy toward:

Liver detoxification
Lymphatic drainage
Clearing out old cells and toxins
Rebalancing gut flora

You may notice signs like increased thirst, a short-term change in stool, or minor skin breakouts—all of which are common detox responses. These are temporary and usually mild in healthy adult dogs.

Gut Health Reset

A short fast or a raw milk fast can help rebalance gut bacteria by:

Starving out harmful microbes
Supporting beneficial bacteria through prebiotic-rich milk
Reducing inflammation in the gut lining

This makes fasting a helpful tool after antibiotics, exposure to toxins, or a diet change.

When and How to Fast Your Dog Safely

Fasting should never be forced on puppies, senior dogs with chronic conditions, or underweight dogs. Although I fast my dogs weekly, I'm have a conservative view on when to start, how often, and how long to fast. Here’s what you need to know:

Safe Fasting Guidelines:

Age to start: Adult dogs can begin short fasts at around 12–18 months when they're finished growing.
Frequency:
- Once-daily feeding or 24-hour fasts 1x per week for healthy adults
- Raw milk fasts 1–2 days every few months as a seasonal reset
Duration:
- 24 hours is typically safe for most healthy dogs
- Longer fasts (2–3 days) only with professional supervision

The Dangers of Extreme Fasting

There’s a growing trend of using long-term fasting or starvation protocols to “heal” chronic diseases, especially cancer. While this sounds appealing to some desperate pet parents, it can backfire.

Risks of extreme or unsupervised fasting include:

Nutrient deficiencies
Muscle wasting
Hypoglycemia
Weakened immunity
Fatty liver disease in smaller breeds

Fasting should be a supportive tool, not a substitute for balanced nutrition, veterinary care, or appropriate treatment. At least two Facebook groups promote extreme fasting to cure disease, resulting in devastating outcomes. Beware!

My Fasting Protocol

Fasting is a powerful and natural practice when used wisely. For raw fed dogs, it can improve digestion, support immunity, help reset gut health, and may even offer anti-cancer benefits. But fasting is not one-size-fits-all.

I fast my dogs at least once weekly as follows:

RAW MILK FAST: Two to three times monthly, I feed my dogs raw goat's milk for the day. Their meal includes a set amount of raw goat's milk (which I developed through research and trial and error), a pasture-raised chicken egg, and an organ blend meal topper from Real Dog Box.
WEEKLY 22-HOUR FAST: Each Thursday, I fast my dogs by feeding them one meal that day. They eat their regular meal on Wednesday evening (around 4 p.m.) and don't eat again until 2 p.m. Thursday, resulting in a 22-hour fast. Their Thursday afternoon meal is generally 2 ounces more than a normal meal. A few hours later, they may enjoy an air-dried chew or raw meaty bone.

If you're considering fasting your dog, start slow. Observe your dog’s behavior, weight, and energy. When in doubt, consult a qualified holistic vet or canine nutritionist, especially if your dog has health conditions.

Let your dog’s natural rhythms guide you. Remember, nourishment includes both the food we give and the rest we allow.