So, you just got a new cuddly and adorable member of the family! Congratulations! Along with your new puppy or kitten, comes tons love, laughs and bonding. But, new pet owners and even experienced pet owners understand that having a kitten or puppy around also means a lot of responsibility. It is important to know that you are not alone in worrying about your furry little bundle of joy. Questions like, 'is she sleeping okay?', 'why is he whining?' and 'am I feeding her the right food - or enough food - or too much food?' are common. But, what is the best food for puppies and kittens?

For pet parents who want to give high-quality, nutritionally-balanced food to their new puppy or kitten, a raw pet food diet is ideal. A scientifically-designed diet with an all-natural blend of high-quality, raw ingredients is one of the most beneficial things you can do to ensure many, many healthy and happy years with your new best friend.

The incredible benefits of a starting or transitioning your new pup or kitten to a safe and nutritious, fully-organic raw pet food diet that is antibiotic and hormone-free, cannot be overstated. Since 1998, RawPetFood.com has been providing affordable and convenient raw frozen pet food delivery to new pet parents across the US.

Studies suggest that the best time to start your pet on a high-quality raw pet food diet is before they are born. Genetic factors and Mama's diet are both important contributors to a dog or cat's temperament and long-term health. If your puppy or kitten comes from a breeder who doesn't have their animals on a raw meat-based diet, it is easy to transition your new pet.

There are many concerns that a young animal cannot tolerate the microbes found in a raw food diet, but rest assured that, once weaned, puppies and kittens thrive on a raw pet food diet. In fact, the microbes in raw food actually spur the development of a healthy immune system. Raw food gives your young pet complete nutrition with high-protein, complete minerals, balanced fats, DHA and beneficial antioxidants.

Pet parents will want to transition young pups or kittens to a fresh, organic raw diet gradually. A rapid change in any animal’s diet can cause digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea and uncomfortable gas and bloating. It is your job to monitor the transition and use the appearance of their stool as a gauge to know when it is time to increase or decrease the amount of raw pet food during mealtime until they are fully transitioned.

Start by feeding 1/4 of the recommended raw pet food amount for your puppy or kitten's age and size, mixed with 3/4 of their current canned or dry food. If your pet's stool is firm, then proportionately increase the raw while decreasing the amount of canned or kibble. Continue gauging their progress day by day, until their digestive system is converted from hard-to-digest processed pet food.

If your tiny pet's stool is loose, simply reduce the raw and wait 2-3 days before adding more raw food to their feeding. There is no need to worry about loose or runny stool, this is likely an indication that they are expelling toxins from their body from highly-processed pet food or that their digestive functions need time to adjust to all-natural, fresh food. Be patient, you will get there, and your pup or kitty will live a longer, healthier life for your efforts.