Why is simply substituting volume (e.g., cups) unreliable when switching a Westie from kibble to a raw diet?
Answer
Caloric density and digestibility change drastically between the two types
The transition between highly processed dry kibble and a raw, uncooked diet involves major differences in how the food is processed and utilized by the body. Raw food tends to be highly digestible and often digests much faster, leading to less stool volume compared to kibble. Because the caloric concentration per unit of volume differs significantly between the dehydrated, compressed kibble and the fresh, whole-food components of raw meals, a simple volumetric swap based on kibble measurements will likely lead to either underfeeding or overfeeding energy, necessitating calculations based on the dog's ideal body weight percentage or verified caloric content instead.
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