Feeding Dog Raw Food
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There’s a new diet out there for dogs and it has a very funny name – BARF. So what is BARF? The acronym BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (or sometimes Bones and Raw Food) and it is a diet that some people believe has revolutionized their dog’s health and happiness. These pet owners have decided to turn back the clock and feeding dog raw food diet better suited to their ancestry. Animals in the wild don’t eat kibble from a bag or mush out of a can, so why should your dog?
The BARF diet is a raw whole food diet that is very similar to what wolves would eat in the wild. It involves meat, bones, animal fat, organ meat and vegetables and fruits. Even though processed dog food will say “real meat” or “high protein” or “all natural” it doesn’t mean that these foods are close to natural. They all contain preservatives and additives, not to mention chemicals and fillers!
The main part of the BARF diet is fresh raw meat. This will account for half of your dog’s diet. Cook the meat as little as possible, preferably not at all. Raw meats can be chicken, turkey, duck, beef, lamb, or venison – whatever’s on sale! Vary the meat source as often as you can.
The other half of the raw food diet is fruits, vegetables, and grains. Carbohydrate sources like oats, potatoes, pasta, or rice should be boiled to soften them a bit before feeding. This helps them digest easily. A variety of vegetables and fruits add nutrients and vitamins to your dog’s diet. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins and can be fed daily. Other good vegetables include parsley, celery, alfalfa sprouts, corn, and zucchini. Dogs also love fruits like apples, mangoes, bananas and watermelon. Once a week you will want to add cheese, eggs or plain yogurt to your dog’s meal.
Certain foods are not to be fed for dogs. Vegetables like broccoli, beans, turnips and cabbage will cause gas – not fun for your dog or your family! Other vegetables like onions, peppers, spinach, cucumbers, and tomatoes are not easily digested by dogs and should be avoided.
Remember that since this food is essentially “people food” it must be stored in the same way that you would store your own food. Store raw food at a safe temperature. If your dog does not complete his meal, cover and store it in your refrigerator. Raw dog food in the refrigerator should not stay there longer than two or three days before being eaten. If you prepare extra food, freeze it in small containers that you can thaw in the fridge before feeding them to your dog.
Using fresh, raw food that is unprocessed will give your dog more nutritional value. Some of the other benefits that you will notice when your dog is on a raw food diet are better breath, less tartar buildup, improvement in skin, shinier coat, healthier bowel movements, easier weight maintenance, easier mobility, and an all-around happier pet!
