GUT HEALING PROTOCOL FOR DOGS

Our gut healing protocol (GHP) provides sensitive pets with nutritional support and a
gradual transition to a well-planned, species-appropriate diet. It aims to improve the
microbiome and function of the gut, which can help many health conditions.

GETTING STARTED
We can offer you nutritional support, however, it is important that you discuss thi​s transition ​with your
regular veterinarian before beginning. We are happy to communicate with your vet if they need any
more information.

We’ll assign you a Raw Essentials’​case manager,​who will help you with each step. You can email,
phone, or visit the store to discuss progress. Please make a plan for regular contact (at least weekly)
with your case manager, so we can plan each step. Your feedback is very important.

If you are concerned about your pet’s health at any time, then please contact your primary
veterinarian.

HOW MUCH
Adults need to eat around 2% of their body weight per day. Puppies require around 3 - 5+ % of their
body weight per day. We will help you adjust feeding amounts by taking into account your pet’s age,
weight, appetite and stools. It is best to underwhelm the gut initially. See the feeding guide below for
your pet’s suggested amounts.

STOOLS
Dogs will usually pass a lot less stools with their diet change, especially when eating just meat. You
may see some jelly like stools and some days there may be no stools. We expect this short term,
however please report your observations to ua regularly.

WHAT TO DO
This protocol involves a slow progression from
poached meat to a well-planned​, maintenance​raw
diet. We will make one change at a time, ensuring
digestion is stable for at least 3-4 days before
progressing to the next stage. If we progress to the
next step ​and your pet develops any​persistent
digestive issues, we may take a step back, possibly
right back to poached meat.
Each change is generally done over 3-4 days, however the rate of progression through the protocol
will depend on several factors specific to your dog. Please discuss this with your case manager to
make target times and keep momentum through the changes.

GOAL
A maintenance raw diet of meat, bone, organs and tripe from a variety of prey sources, in
approximate prey proportions.

Step One - Poached Meat and
Broth
“Poach” = cook by simmering
in a small amount of liquid
● Poach bite-sized pieces of fillets or meat cubes in broth
or water for 5 - 10 minutes, with just enough fluid to
cover the meat. (Use water if broth doesn’t suit your pet)
TIP = Use scissors to cut up meat
● Trim and discard obvious fat.
● Make sure you check the meat cubes for bone
fragments and remove - ​never cook anything containing
bone
● Ensure the meat has cooled before feeding to your pet
● Feed your pet 2 - 3 times per day (see your pet’s feeding
guide below)

Step Two - Progress to raw ● Once settled on step one, progress to raw meat by
meat gradually replacing the poached meat with raw meat.
Alternatively you can poach non-poultry meats less until
feeding raw.
● Goal = fully raw by the end of week two (sooner for
puppies)

Step Three - Introduce ● Once settled on step two, gradually introduce a

Mixes with Bone meat/bone mince until meals of 50% raw boneless
meat and 50% raw boney mince
● Never cook any food containing bone.

Step Four - Introduce ● Once settled on step three, introduce tripe

Tripe separately or in a meat/bone/organ/tripe
mix.
● Most dogs need around ¼ - ⅓ of their meals
in tripe.
As a general rule: if stools are too hard increase tripe and
reduce tripe if stools are loose
 Step Five - Increase variety of ● Introduce one new prey source or mix at a time.
prey sources ● Our goal is to feed at least 3-4 prey sources each
week.
NB Step 4 and 5 are interchangeable or may be done at
the same time

Step Six - Introduce ● Wait at least one month before introducing whole
Meaty Bones raw meaty bones and only if your pet is very settled
on the raw foods.
● Please talk to our team and refer to our safe bone
feeding guidelines.

REMEMBER THE GOAL

A maintenance raw diet of meat, bone, organs and tripe from a variety of prey sources, in
approximate prey proportions. Aim to feed at least 3 - 4 different prey sources weekly with as many
nutrient-dense wild prey species as possible. Please refer to our maintenance raw diet
recommendations.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

● DIARY - Keep a diary and update us regularly regarding your pet's energy level, appetite, body
condition, demeanour and digestion (stools, wind, tummy grumbles, obsessive grass eating,
burping etc)
● STOOLS - Very small, soft and jelly like stools are to be expected when dogs are just eating
poached meat. There shouldn’t be any straining to pass the stools and there are usually 1 - 2
per day, none on some days.
● FAT - If there is a history of pancreatitis or severe digestive issues, scrape the fat layer off the
broth (this is easiest to do when the broth is still chilled). Broth is not high in fat, however these
pets are generally on a fat-restricted protocol.
● SIMPLE - No other foods - keep it simple! If treats are necessary consider strips of poached
meat, dried tongue, or lamb lung slices.
● NOTE:​for puppies under one year of age that are unable to tolerate minces containing bone
within a week, other feeding options may be necessary. Please discuss with your case
manager.

NUTRITIONAL AIDS
These may be useful to support gut health though we usually keep things simple initially.
● Psyllium husk helps bind the stools when they are just having meat.
● Digestive enzymes improve stomach acidity and digestion
● Probiotics can help improve the balance of gut bugs.
Talk to us about whether these would be suitable for your dog.
YOUR PET’S FEEDING GUIDE:

Poached Meat Bone Broth

Suggested protein: Suggested broth:

Approximate amount to feed per day (g): Approximate amount to feed per day (based
on your pet’s weight):

● 5kg:​1/4 cup 2 - 3 times daily

● 10kg:​1/3 cup 2 - 3 times daily
● 20kg+:​1/2 cup 2 - 3 times daily

DAY(S) WHAT TO DO

CASE MANAGER’S NAME STORE PHONE

STORE EMAIL

WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND YOU COMMUNICATE ANY DIETARY CHANGES TO YOUR VET

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