Switching to a meat-based diet

A little preparation will help you get off to a good start.

1. Choose the right recipe

Every animal has different needs! At Aliments Crus Grenier, we offer a variety of complete recipes to meet your companion’s needs, based on its size, preferences and food sensitivities.

For dogs:

• Premium Small Breed: for dogs 30 lb and under.
• Premium Medium Breed: for dogs from 30 to 60 lb.
• Premium Large Breed: for dogs over 60 lb.
• Premium Chicken: a complete, balanced recipe for every day.

Does your dog have food sensitivities? We also offer four hypoallergenic recipes: Premium Turkey, Premium Fish, Premium Beef and Premium Lamb, to give you more choice for its needs. Note: all four also contain pork, and Premium Lamb also contains beef.

For cats:

• Premium Complete Cat: complete, balanced food adapted to the needs of cats and kittens.

Good to know: Our complete recipes are formulated to meet your companions’ nutritional needs, with no need to add extra ingredients.

2. Work out the daily portion

The amount of food depends on your pet’s weight, age and activity level.

• Adult dog: about 2 to 3% of its body weight per day.
• Growing puppy, pregnant or nursing female dog: about 4 to 6% of its body weight per day.
• Cat or kitten: amounts vary with age, weight and nutritional needs.

These amounts are starting points. Our feeding calculator is here to make your life easier!

3. Prepare the meals

Take out the portions you need the day before and let them thaw slowly in the refrigerator.

4. Come and meet us!

New to Aliments Crus Grenier? Drop by our plant in Terrebonne! Our team can advise you and give you a free sample so your companion can discover our meat-based recipes.

At Aliments Crus Grenier, we favour a direct transition to a meat-based diet, without mixing kibble and our recipes, neither in the same meal nor on the same day.

For healthy adult dogs and cats, our method includes a short period without food before starting the new meals. However, fasting does not guarantee there will be no diarrhea or soft stools, and it is not suitable for all animals.

Good to know: Every animal reacts differently to a change in diet. A gradual introduction may be better in some situations, especially for animals with sensitive digestion: start with small portions of raw several times a day and increase them little by little, never mixing them with kibble.

The youngest have needs of their own!

For puppies and kittens:

• Never make them fast. Since they skip the fast, their first stools will often be a little softer: this is normal, and things should settle down afterwards.
• Always serve their meals fully thawed.
• Choose a complete recipe suited to their growth: our Premium dog recipes are formulated for dogs and puppies, and Premium Complete Cat for cats and kittens.
• Divide their daily ration into several small meals, depending on their age.

Animals with a sensitive stomach also deserve special attention. Favour suitable portions and a more gradual introduction if needed.

Our advice: Every animal is different! Take the time to observe yours and respect its pace.

Our little felines can sometimes be a bit picky when their eating habits change!

As with adult dogs, our protocol includes a 12 to 24-hour fast for an adult cat, with unlimited fresh water. However, a cat should not go any longer without eating: if your cat still refuses its meals after the fast, contact your veterinarian.

Kittens never fast.

Kitten or adult, always serve your cat’s meals fully thawed, never frozen or semi-frozen.

Choose a recipe suited to their nutritional needs, such as our Premium Complete Cat.

Warning: Our “meat only” recipes are not a complete diet on their own. They must be balanced with the nutrients needed to meet a cat’s needs.

To learn more, see our guide Raw food for cats.

At Aliments Crus Grenier, we favour meat-based meals served separately from kibble, to offer a simple routine that’s easy to follow.

Why? Raw food is hydrating, full of water, while kibble is dry and absorbs water. When the two end up together in the stomach, the kibble can swell, which can cause soft stools or diarrhea in some animals.

This mix does not cause problems in every animal, but the risk is real. That’s why we recommend not giving kibble and raw in the same meal or on the same day.

Some animals handle a direct change well, while others adapt better to a gradual transition: small portions of raw, increased little by little, always without kibble. What matters is respecting your companion’s pace and watching how it reacts to its new diet.

As with any change in diet, your companion may need a little time to adjust.

Different stools?

The frequency, amount or consistency of its stools may change during the transition. Keep an eye on them, especially if they become very soft or if diarrhea persists.

Eating less than expected?

Its portion may be too generous, or treats may be taking up too much of its diet! Check the amounts with our feeding calculator.

Reddish urine?

This can be normal with our Premium recipes: the beet they contain can colour the urine. With our “meat only” recipes, which contain no beet, it is not normal: consult your veterinarian. Also consult them if red urine comes with other signs, such as pain or difficulty urinating.

Refusing meals?

Don’t let your companion go without food for long. This is especially important for cats, puppies and kittens. A persistent loss of appetite, or one that comes with other symptoms, needs prompt attention.

A few good habits can make all the difference!

1. Fasting a puppy or a kitten. Young animals need regular meals to support their growth.
2. Extending a cat’s fast beyond 24 hours. A cat should not go long without eating.
3. Serving meals that are still frozen during the transition. Favour fully thawed food.
4. Thawing in the microwave. It can cook unevenly, especially the ground bones.
5. Refreezing a meal that has already been thawed. Use suitable portions to limit waste.
6. Keeping thawed food too long. Follow good refrigeration practices.
7. Feeding a dog recipe to a cat. Their nutritional needs are different!
8. Using a “meat only” recipe as a complete diet without balancing it.
9. Giving too many treats or extras. They can throw off the daily portions.

Proper storage is essential to keep your companion’s meals as safe as possible.

• In the freezer: keep your patties frozen until you use them.
• To unwrap: remove the packaging while the patty is still frozen.
• To thaw: put the portions in the refrigerator, never on the counter.
• In the refrigerator: keep thawed meals at 4 °C or below and ideally use them within 24 to 48 hours.
• After every meal: wash bowls and utensils thoroughly.
• Before and after handling: wash your hands and clean the surfaces you used.

Raw meat can contain bacteria that are dangerous to animals and humans. Careful handling reduces the risks, without eliminating them completely.

A few simple habits that make all the difference!

At Aliments Crus Grenier, we know a change in diet can raise plenty of questions.

Our team is here to help!

Whether it’s choosing a recipe, working out portions or better understanding the transition, we’ll take the time to advise you.

Visit us: 2297 Antonio-Héroux Street, Terrebonne
Call us: 514-967-6794

You can also check our FAQ for answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Aliments Crus Grenier — A passionate team that puts your companions and their food first.