Frequently Asked Questions About BARF
What is BARF?
BARF stands for "Bones and Raw Food" or "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food" diet. It is a method of feeding dogs and cats that many believe is as nature intended. Raw diet feeders attempt to feed their animals food that mimics what would be eaten in the wild, mainly raw meaty bones and whole carcasses.
Is it safe to feed bones?
Generally, yes. The most commonly fed raw meaty bones come from chickens. Raw meaty chicken bones are soft, easily crunched up and digested. Raw meaty bones from other small animals such as turkey or rabbit are suitable for feeding as well.
What bones should be fed?
Do not feed cooked bones. Bones should be fed raw, meaty, sized appropriately for the size of dog, and chewable. Raw meaty bones should be large enough that they cannot be swallowed without chewing. Avoid large, hard bones that cannot be chewed, such as marrow bones, because they can break teeth.
Is it safe to feed raw meat?
Generally, yes. Humans must take the same precautions prepping raw meat for their canine friends as they would for their own meals, but only for the humans' sake. Dogs, on the other hand, are designed for eating raw meat. Their short digestive tracts are ideal for handling the bacteria found on raw meat and rarely become sick.
What varieties of meat do you feed?
Shopping at just your local grocery store, you can provide your dog with a variety of meat such as beef, chicken, turkey, pork, fish, and lamb. If you are creative, you can find sources of venison, buffalo, rabbit, ostrich, emu, and anything else you can imagine.
Can you feed raw fish?
Yes with a few exceptions. Avoid feeding raw salmon because it can contain a parasite fluke that causes rickettsia. Also fish can contain worms, so it is best to feed only cleaned fish. Lastly, feed a variety of fish. Like some vegetables, the same fish fed over and over again can cause problems. For example, excess feeding of carp, catfish, and smelt can destroy the balance of natural thiamin, so it is best to feed those occasionally and to vary the fish you feed. Many people also feed canned mackerel occasionally.
What fruits and vegetables do you feed?
Everything, with onions being the only exception!!! Green beans, carrots, squash, sweet potato, cauliflower, snow peas, asparagus, apples, bananas, pineapple, strawberries, plums, advacado, tomato, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, radishes, celery, bell pepper, and garlic are just a few examples. Do not feed onions. The key is to not get stuck in rut by using the same vegetables over and over again. Some vegetables can have a harmful effect if fed too much, so it is important to continuously change the ingredients each time you create a mix and to use a wide variety.
How are fruits and vegetables prepared?
Dogs cannot digest cellulose in cell walls, so fruits and vegetables must be pureed in a food processor for them to provide any nutritional value.
Can I feed both BARF and kibble?
It is not recommended. If you insist on feeding both, it is best not to feed it together. Kibble takes longer to digest than raw food. Feeding them together means that digestion is slowed and bacteria from raw food is in the digestive tract longer. Canine digestive tracts are suited for handling bacteria because they are short and food passes quickly. Also one of the benefits to feeding raw meaty bones is that they clean teeth and gums. Some people feed their dogs raw meaty bones once or twice a week hoping for this benefit; however, consider how clean your mouth would be if you only brushed your teeth once a week. Brushing once a week would not have much benefit and neither does feeding raw meaty bones just once a week.
How do you balance a raw food diet?
There is a lot of concern regarding the difficulty in balancing a dog's diet. However, consider how much time you spend measuring, weighing, calculating, and researching yours, your family's, and your children's diet. The usual answer is "none". Well, it is the same idea with dogs. Following a few basic guidelines will have your dogs eating healthier than most humans. Over time the diet becomes balanced by using a wide variety of food items.
Do you feed vitamins or supplements?
There are many opinions about supplementing. Dr. Ian Billinghurst and Kymythy Schultze recommend using powdered kelp and powdered alfalfa. Both are rich in vitamins and minerals and come from clean, natural sources. Dr. Susan Wynn recommends supplementing with a multivitamin. Dr. Tom Lonsdale believes that dogs fed raw food do not need extra vitamins or supplements, so he does not supplement at all. I recommend doing what you feel most comfortable with.
How much time does it take to prepare raw food meals?
It takes as long as you want it to take. There are many ways to prepare meals. The trick to keeping it simple on a daily basis is to take the time on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis to prepare meals ahead of time for a period of time. For example, take a few hours on a Saturday to buy, cut, wash, and puree enough veggie mix to last you a few months. Each week thaw a weekly portion and simply scoop out a few spoonfuls daily. Other people don't mind preparing veggie mixes on a daily or weekly basis. It is up to you. Raw meaty bones can also be purchased in bulk, divided into smaller portions, and kept frozen. Then you simply thaw and serve on a daily basis. If you have three or more greyhounds, it is extremely helpful to have an extra freezer.
How much does it cost to feed BARF?
Initially, feeding BARF may seem more costly. Most people start by purchasing food from grocery stores, which can be expensive. However, you will see your costs drop as you develop a routine, determine the most cost effective suppliers, and buy in bulk. Also consider that your dog will no longer require annual teeth cleaning and enjoy better health, meaning fewer trips to the vet.