What
is BARF?
It
actually
sounds kind of gross, but BARF is an acronym for
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food. Many health
conscious veterinarians are huge advocates for this diet which can
completely replace commercially prepared dog food. One of the first
proponents of the BARF diet was Dr. Ian Billinghurst who still
recommends it today. He believes that it is the ultimate way to get our
pets in to optimum health. Many people believe that the BARF diet
simulates what your dog would eat in his natural environment.
Many
people feel that there are a lot of health advantages to feeding a
raw food diet. Many owners who have dogs with problems such as
allergies, skin problems, weight problems, and anal gland problems have
found that the bones and raw food diet has helped to significantly
remedy these issues.
Some
of
the advantages to feeding a biologically appropriate raw food
diet include no consumption of preservatives found in most commercially
prepared kibble diets, it usually tastes better to your dog than
regular dog food, and in general, muscle mass and body condition
improve on a raw food diet. One also often finds that dogs produce
fewer stools, eat more slowly, and have fewer health problems. Many
advocates of the raw food diet also claim that it is less expensive
than commercially manufactured dog food. One of the biggest
disadvantages to this diet is that it takes longer to prepare.
Healthy
Dog Food
System - Natural Dog Food System
If
you
decide that you would like to try the BARF diet with your dog,
you must first do the research. There are many websites and books
available to guide you through the process. Talk to your veterinarian,
though many veterinarians are unfamiliar with the BARF diet. Find
people in your area that feed the raw food diet to their animals. Make
sure it is right for you and your dog before you try it.
The
next step is to transition your dog from his commercial dog food to
his new bones and raw food diet. You may want to do this gradually as
oftentimes dogs develop digestive problems when switching to new diets.
Some advocates of the BARF diet recommend switching your dog to the new
diet cold turkey, however.
When
feeding a raw food diet, you will generally want to feed your dog
twice per day. The first meal of the day will usually consist of raw
meat and bones like turkey or chicken legs, thighs, wings, or necks,
pork riblets, lamb chops, and the like. The second meal will consist of
a mush made with raw meat, fresh vegetables, and Offal (the organs
parts of the meat you are feeding).
Usually
you will want to supplement this with cottage cheese, eggs with
the shells, yogurt, fruit, fish, and recreational bones (which are the
harder to chew kinds of bones). This can vary, so do your homework. You
will want to avoid grains. Advocates of the biologically appropriate
raw food diet agree that dogs do not have the proper digestive systems
to deal with whole grains and that most food allergies are grain
related.
Most
advocates of the raw food diet do not recommend supplements. If
you aren't sure what to do, speak with your veterinarian.
Many
people are hesitant to feed their dog a raw diet because they are
concerned about their dogs choking on bones. While these incidents
occur, proponents of raw food diets say they are rare, and that
generally, dogs choke on cooked bones, not raw ones.
There
are commercially prepared raw food diets on the market. While
this is always an option for you if you choose to feed raw food, many
advocates of the BARF diet recommend against it. They argue that these
foods have different regulations that human
grade foods, oftentimes
contain unnecessary supplements, are ground foods (and the whole basis
of the BARF diet is raw, meaty bones), and are much more expensive than
visiting your local butcher.
If
you
decide that the bones and raw food diet is something that you'd
like to try, first talk to your veterinarian about your decision. Then,
do as much research into the diet as possible. Talk to others who feed
the diet. You may find that by feeding the BARF diet you are improving
the health of your dog.
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