You're not alone! Many dog owners think that it's a big deal to start feeding their dog a raw food and VOM diet. Fortunately, it's simpler than you think!
We have prepared a practical guide that covers everything you need to know – from the first meal until a good and stable routine is established.
Here you'll find advice on what to consider when switching to a raw food diet, how to calculate the right amount, and what hygiene matters to bear in mind.
Instructions for beginners
Adult dog – switching to VOM
When you start feeding your dog VOM, it is important to Gradually get him used to the new food.. It is best to make the change slowly and gradually to keep digestion balanced while switching food.
It is best to start the acclimatisation by giving the dog small amount at a time.
Transitioning to a raw food diet
- Start by giving the dog a small amount of VOM every day and gradually increase the amount.
- Increase the amount gradually and replace the dog's current food with VOM.
- Take plenty of time for the settling-in period, preferably. 1–2 weeks for the entire adaptation period.
Some dogs can switch food quickly without any problems, but we still recommend that the change is made gradually.
Changes in stools are normal during the adjustment period. If the dog develops loose stools, the introduction has likely been too rapid. In this case, it is important to reduce the amount of VOM until digestion has stabilised, and then to continue the introduction gradually.
Once the dog has become accustomed to VOM, it is possible to switch between different products as required. A varied diet is beneficial, both in terms of flavour and the variety of nutrients.
Feed quantity
All dogs are different and their nutritional needs can vary depending on factors such as breed, age and, in particular, the dog's activity level. A dog's activity level is not always the same, and during periods of high physical or mental stimulation, it will likely need more food than when it is less active and sleeps for a large part of the day.
The recommended feed amount is about 2% of the dog's body weight per day When VOM is fed as a complete food. The amount must, however, always be adjusted to the needs of each dog.
If the dog is very active, it will probably need more than 2% of its body weight per day. Therefore, use 2% as criteria and adjust the amount according to the dog's needs.
Treatment
VOM is a dog food made from raw animal products. It is therefore important to follow a few simple hygiene rules to ensure the quality of the food is maintained right up until it is served.
- Bring the fodder Put in the freezer as soon as possible after purchase..
- Keep the food in the freezer until it is taken out to defrost.
- Thaw the food in fridge. After defrosting, it is stored in 1–2 days. Our products contain neither preservatives nor other additives that extend their shelf life.
- Bring the food forward raw for the dog.
- Wash hands and all surfaces that come into contact with the food with Clean with soap and water immediately after use..
All our wholefood products contain chicken or salmon bones and cartilage as a natural and nutritious part of the food. Bones and cartilage are, among other things, a natural source of calcium and phosphorus.
The digestive systems of both adult dogs and puppies are adapted to digest raw ingredients from the animal kingdom, such as meat and bones. Our food is also minced to ensure it is as easily digestible as possible.
We measure not by removing bones or cartilage from the feed before it is served, as it can affect the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the feed.
Do not heat-treat the product before serving! Heat treatment will cause the bones and cartilage to become hard and porous, which is not beneficial for the dog's digestion.
Feeding
Each dog can have its own preferences about how it wants VOM to be pronounced. VOM can be pronounced fresh, half-frozen or frozen.
If you want to serve VOM semi-frozen or frozen, it is important to bear in mind that small dogs can get colder from cold food than larger dogs. Therefore, the amount needs to be adjusted for each dog.
If the dog eats very quickly, it is also important to keep a close eye on him while he is eating, as there is a risk that frozen pieces could get stuck in his throat.
Frozen food can be a good way to allow the dog to use its teeth and chew. Chewing releases endorphins and provides the dog with mental stimulation.
We do, however, recommend letting the food Thaw slightly before serving., so that it still provides resistance when chewed but is softer than completely frozen food. This reduces the risk of dental damage and of frozen pieces getting stuck in the dog.
Stool
It is perfectly normal for a dog's stools to become Smaller, denser and drier when he has VOM. This is a normal process that shows the dog is utilising the nutrients from the food well. If you want to soften the stools, you can add fibre to the diet, either by using VOM Digestive or by adding vegetables to their meals. Many dog owners also notice that their dog drinks less water when he gets VOM. The reason is that the meat in the feed already contains 60–70% fluid, which provides the dog with fluid in a natural way.
Beginner's guide
Puppy – new dog owner
If the puppy has been fed VOM Puppy by the breeder, you can continue to feed it this directly after collection. If the puppy is not accustomed to VOM PUPPY, you can begin to introduce it to the product through a gradual acclimatisation.
VOM PUPPY comes in various pack sizes, but it may be advisable to start the process with VOM PUPPY meatballs. For a small-breed puppy, a small teaspoon may be enough for the first few days, but for a larger-breed puppy, a meatball can be a practical way to start. A gradual introduction of the product is important to keep the stomach stable during a change of diet.
Getting used to VOM PUPPY
- Start by introducing the puppy to a little bit of VOM PUPPY every day.
- Gradually increase the amount, and replace the puppy's old food with VOM PUPPY.
- Allow plenty of time, preferably 1-2 weeks for the entire transition period.
Some puppies can switch food quickly without any problems, but we generally recommend a gradual transition. Some puppies may need more time to adjust, and changes in their stool are normal during this process.
Amount of filling
Every puppy is different, and even two puppies from the same litter may need different amounts of food each day. The amount of energy and nutrients a puppy needs will depend on several factors, such as its age, size, metabolism, stress levels and activity level. If the puppy is exposed to environmental enrichment, mental stimulation, or is generally more active, it will likely need more.
Puppy: 2-5 months.
Our recommended feeding amount of VOM Puppy is 4-5% of the puppy's body weight daily for complete feeding.
Puppy: 5-8 months.
When the puppy begins to approach the halfway point of its growth phase, it is often advisable to reduce the amount to approximately 3.5% of the puppy's body weight daily.
Puppy 8-15 months old.
When the puppy begins to approach full growth, at around 1 year of age depending on the breed, you can gradually reduce the amount to approximately 2% of the puppy's body weight daily, which is also our recommended feeding amount for adult dogs.
Size and growth rate are highly individual. Puppies from a smaller breed will be fully grown long before a puppy from a larger breed. Therefore, it is individual when it is appropriate to adjust the amount of food given. Remember that this is a guideline amount, which must be adapted to each individual puppy. We therefore recommend using the guideline amount as a starting point!
Handling
VOM Puppy is a puppy food made from raw, animal-based ingredients – and it is therefore important to follow some simple hygiene rules – to maintain its high quality right up until serving.
- Get your food home to the freezer quickly after purchase.
- Store the food in a freezer until defrosting.
- The product should be kept in the fridge and has a shelf life of 1-2 days. Our products contain no preservatives or additives to extend their shelf life.
- Serve the food raw to the puppy.
- Wash hands and all surfaces with soap and water immediately after use.
VOM Puppy contains chicken and salmon bones and cartilage as a natural and nutritious part of the food. Bones and cartilage are, among other things, a natural source of calcium and phosphorus. A puppy's digestive system is equipped to eat animal-based raw ingredients like meat and bone, and the food is also ground to make it as easily digestible as possible. We do not recommend removing the bone or cartilage before serving, as this will affect the balanced calcium and phosphorus content of the food.
Do not heat the product before serving! Heat treatment will cause the bones and cartilage to become hard and porous, which is not beneficial for the puppy's digestion.
Serving
There will be different preferences for how the puppy wants its VOM served. VOM can be served thawed, partially frozen, or frozen.
However, if you wish to serve your puppy semi-frozen or frozen VOM, it is important to remember that smaller dogs and puppies are more easily chilled by cold food than larger ones. It is therefore necessary to be mindful of the portion size. If you have a very greedy puppy, it is also important to consider that they could choke on frozen pieces, and it is vital to supervise them while they eat. Frozen food is a great way to let your puppy use its teeth. Chewing releases endorphins and provides mental stimulation. However, we still recommend that the food is thawed a little before serving, so that it still offers some resistance when chewed, but is softer than when it's completely frozen. This reduces the risk of your puppy choking on frozen pieces.
Faeces
During its growth, it is natural for a puppy to have periods of both firm and loose stools. Many new impressions and experiences can affect its body and the appearance of its stools. It is also completely normal for a puppy that eats VOM Puppy to have smaller, harder and drier stools. This is a natural process that shows the puppy is effectively absorbing the nutrients from its food.
Many dog owners also notice that their puppy drinks less water when eating VOM. This is because the meat in the feed already contains 60–70% moisture, which provides the puppy with natural hydration.
Beginner's guide
Puppy – breeder
VOM Puppy can be fed to puppies from the very first mouthful of solid food. Puppies can therefore be introduced to the product at 3–4 weeks of age.
Tips:
When acclimatising very small puppies to solid food, you can mix VOM Puppy with a little water to make a soup. For the very smallest puppies, it may also be advisable to blend the food in a blender until it forms a smoother mixture.
VOM Puppy contains chicken and salmon bones and cartilage as a natural and nutritious part of the food. Bones and cartilage are, among other things, a natural source of calcium and phosphorus. Both adult dogs and puppies have a digestive system that is equipped to eat animal-based raw materials such as meat and bone, and in addition, the food is ground to make it as easily digestible as possible. We do not recommend removing bones or cartilage before serving, as this will affect the balanced calcium and phosphorus content of the food.
Handling
VOM Puppy is a puppy food made from raw, animal-based ingredients – and it is therefore important to follow some simple hygiene rules – to maintain its high quality right up until serving.
- Get your food home to the freezer quickly after purchase.
- Store the food in a freezer until defrosting.
- The product should be kept in the fridge and has a shelf life of 1-2 days. Our products contain no preservatives or additives to extend their shelf life.
- Serve the food raw to the puppies
- Wash hands and all surfaces with soap and water immediately after use.
Do not heat the product before serving! Heat treatment will cause the bones and cartilage to become hard and porous, which is not beneficial for the puppy's digestion.
Quantity
When puppies are introduced to solid food, this is usually just a supplement to their mother's milk. Milk from their mother is still the most important source of nutrition. As the puppies get older, you will gauge how much they can manage to eat at each meal, as they are still getting milk from their mother. The recommended amount for a weaned puppy is 4-5% of its body weight daily. Remember that the recommended amount is theoretical and based on an average energy requirement. The amount must therefore be adjusted for each individual.
Faeces
During its growth, it is natural for a puppy to have periods of both firm and loose stools. Many new impressions and experiences can affect its body and the appearance of its stools. It is also completely normal for a puppy that eats VOM Puppy to have smaller, harder and drier stools. This is a natural process that shows the puppy is effectively absorbing the nutrients from its food.
Also bear in mind that the stool may naturally change after the regular deworming treatments given. Periodically looser stools may occur after these.
Many dog owners also notice that their puppy drinks less water when eating VOM. This is because the meat in the feed already contains 60–70% moisture, which provides the puppy with natural hydration.