Introduction to Raw Diets

Jessie and Teresa eating raw chicken The BARF or raw food diet has been getting a lot of attention lately. The subject tends to divide dog and cat lovers. Many are dead set against it and others would feed nothing else. Since I have been on both sides of the fence, I wanted to provide you with some information. I have been feeding the raw diet for about 7 years now.

What Is It?
BARF stands for "bones and raw food" or "biologically appropriate raw food". Very little research has been conducted on canine nutrition and unfortunately most are done by pet food companies who have little incentive to advocate raw food. Much of our information about raw diets comes from our own experiences and the fact that dogs survived thousands of years eating this way before commercial pet food became available. BARF supporters believe that commercial dog food is responsible for many chronic, health problems our dogs suffer from now. Such problems as bad teeth, gum disease, skin problems, ear infections, urinary tract infections, allergies, loose stools, worms, early aging, and the list goes on. BARF supporters claim their dogs are living longer, healthier lives than their kibble-eating cousins. However, there are still plenty of disagreements and little research to back either side up. It will be years before we come to a consensus.

BARF diets consist of raw, meaty bones and fruits and vegetables What BARFers Eat
The BARF diet attempts to mimic what nature intended. Wild dogs eat meat, bones, skin, organs, stomach contents, and all sorts of other parts. They also may feed on fruits, berries, plants, and grass. In a nutshell, the most common BARF diet consists primarily of raw, meaty chicken bones such as necks, backs, and wings. Then a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, muscle meat such as beef, lamb, and turkey, and organ meats such as heart, liver, and kidney balance it all out over time. The goal is not to create a well-balanced meal each day. Instead you strive to create a balanced diet over a period of time.

Fruits and vegetables Many BARF opponents argue that our domestic dogs are not wild dogs and therefore should not be eating a wild dog’s diet. However, keep in mind that dogs and wolves are essentially the same species. A simple blood test cannot distinguish between the two. Kibble has existed for less than a century, not enough time for the digestive tracts of domestic dogs to evolve into needing a diet completely different from a wolf.

However, Dr. Susan Wynn, a leading researcher and author on alternative and complementary veterinary medicine, makes an excellent point. Typically, a good breeder breeds healthy dogs. Dogs who have constant digestive ailments will probably not enter into the breeding program. Therefore, she suggests that certain lines and certain breeds have been bred to thrive on a commercial pet food. It does make sense to me. However, when we come back to greyhounds, greyhounds are fed a raw meat based diet on the farms and at the track. Essentially, they have been bred to do well on a diet that includes raw meat. In my opinon, most greyhounds appear to thrive on a raw diet and if Dr. Wynn is right, her opinion suggests that they would as well.

Travis enjoying raw chicken Common Concerns
Typically, feeding bones is everyone’s first concern. We have heard all of our lives not to do it. Generally, dogs are well suited to digesting RAW bones. They clean teeth, massage gums, and offer an excellent balance of minerals. Still some people never become comfortable with the idea and instead opt to grind down the raw, meaty bones before feeding them.

The second concern is bacteria such as salmonella or E.Coli. Again the truth is dogs have short digestive tracts designed for handling bacteria. Even pets fed commercially prepared foods receive their share of bacteria. For example, salmonella can be found on pig's ears. And for heaven's sake, they lick their rear ends!

Teresa eating turkey neck The most important recommendation I can make is do your research. Read the books and surf the web. There are many varieties of raw diets, so if you are not comfortable with one, there may be another one that you are comfortable with.

Expect your vet to not support your new diet. Although more and more are starting to agree, there are still many more that completely discourage it.

Time, Expense & Mess Involved
Raw diets, of course, take extra work to prepare. However, it really is not as bad as most think it is. The information is overwhelming at first and you tend to make it harder than it really is. Eventually you settle into a convenient routine. The expense of the diet ranges as wide as the brands of dog food do. If you purchase, less desirable parts such a chicken backs or turkey necks in volume then you will get a good deal. If you purchase organic, hormone free chicken wings, you will pay a fortune. I personally purchase chicken backs in volume.

Raw diets also can be messy. The easiest way to contain the mess and separate dogs is to use crates. If you take out the bedding before feeding, the dogs will lick the crates clean when they finish eating and there is no need for extra clean up on a daily basis. Other people feed outside and simply hand out food to each dog.

WARNINGS:

Do not ever feed COOKED bones. Cooking causes them to splinter easily.
Do not add raw meat to your dog’s commercial diet. Meat is high in phosphorus and without bone can alter the calcium/phosphorus ratio.
Do not start your dog on a raw food diet until you have done your research.

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