When to Call Your Vet (And When It's Probably Fine)

Switching to raw doesn't change the rules for when you should call your vet — those rules apply whatever you're feeding. But because raw is unfamiliar, owners sometimes worry about normal, expected changes (slightly drier stool, a skipped meal during the transition) AND under-react to actual problems because "maybe it's just the new food."

Here's a quick triage list. Trust your gut over any list — if something feels really wrong, call. But this is a useful baseline.

Call your vet today (don't wait)

These warrant a same-day phone call regardless of diet:

• Vomiting more than twice in 12 hours — once is common, repeated is not.
• Bloody stool — bright red or black/tarry. Both warrant a call. Could be a lot of things, ranging from minor to serious; vet decides.
• Lethargy lasting more than 24 hours — a quiet day is normal, two quiet days isn't.
• Refusing food AND water for 24 hours — especially in cats, who can develop a serious liver condition (hepatic lipidosis) from going more than a day without eating.
• Suspected bone shard or foreign object stuck in the throat — coughing repeatedly, pawing at the mouth, gagging, drooling. Get there fast.
• Sudden swelling, hives, or facial puffiness — could be an allergic reaction. Vet trip immediately.

If the vet's office is closed, Denver has several 24-hour emergency vets. Don't wait until morning for any of these.

Call within a couple of days

These aren't emergencies, but they shouldn't be ignored either:

• Persistent loose stool more than 48 hours past a transition. If you've already dropped back a ratio and it's still not firming up, something else is going on.
• New, ongoing skin scratching or ear flare-ups. Could be a protein sensitivity to whatever's currently in rotation. Call the vet, and let us know — we can swap your protein for the next box.
• Weight loss without trying for it. A few ounces over a month is normal. A pound or more without intentional portion changes warrants a check.
• Bad breath that's gotten dramatically worse. Often dental, sometimes other things. Worth a workup.

Probably fine — watch and chart

These are the changes most likely to make a first-time raw feeder anxious. They're almost always normal:

• One soft stool. Don't change anything; try the same meal next day. Most resolve on their own.
• One refused meal. Especially common in cats. Try slightly warming the next meal.
• Mild gas during the first week of transition. The microbiome is shifting; gas is what shifting smells like.
• Slightly drier stool on raw vs kibble. This is normal and a sign of better digestibility — there's just less filler going through.
• A short pickiness phase 2-3 weeks in. Cats especially. Often resolves within a few days.

Worth keeping a small mental log (or a note on your phone) of when these happen. If they keep recurring, it stops being "probably fine" and starts being "worth a call."

What to bring when you call

When you call your vet about a raw-fed pet, give them the diet specifics so they're not guessing:

• The brand (PurePawRaw)
• The current protein (chicken, turkey, beef, fish, etc.)
• When you transitioned to raw (or when you switched proteins last)
• Current daily oz being fed

If you don't have any of those numbers handy, message us — we can text them to you in 30 seconds. We keep your subscription details on file so you don't have to remember.

A vet who knows what your pet is actually eating gives much better advice than one who's guessing from "raw food, I think."

Manage your subscription → · Switch proteins for next box →