B.A.R.F - Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw
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B.A.R.F - Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw
Does anyone on this site use the B.A.R.F. feeding method or know a lot about it? I have been researching this method of feeding and I just wanted to know if anyone had any experiences - positive or negative- with it.
If you don't know anything about it - here is a website that explains the concept:
http://www.barfworld.com/
You don't have to buy this type of food... you can create it yourself.
Thanks for sharing any information you have!
If you don't know anything about it - here is a website that explains the concept:
http://www.barfworld.com/
You don't have to buy this type of food... you can create it yourself.
Thanks for sharing any information you have!
Mandy, Chewie, & Cayenne
While the B.A.R.F literature compares the feeding method to the 'biologically appropriate' diet of wolves, I don't recall the literature ever mentioning the internal parasitic, and other serious diseases, and health problems of wild wolf populations. Wolves don't have 'brilliant' health.
Most modern day dogs are over-vaccinated, over-medicated, routinely treated with pesticides, and all these *do* have an impact on the immune system and on digestion, so not all dogs will be able to deal with raw meat pathogens.
I have mostly fed 'medium raw' cooked meats as a compromise, but I don't vaccinate adult dogs and I concentrate on strengthening the immune system. Supplementing a holistic quality dog food with a variety of quality human grade foods has worked well here over the years, but I've always *watched* for any changes and tweaked ingredients when necessary.
Most modern day dogs are over-vaccinated, over-medicated, routinely treated with pesticides, and all these *do* have an impact on the immune system and on digestion, so not all dogs will be able to deal with raw meat pathogens.
I have mostly fed 'medium raw' cooked meats as a compromise, but I don't vaccinate adult dogs and I concentrate on strengthening the immune system. Supplementing a holistic quality dog food with a variety of quality human grade foods has worked well here over the years, but I've always *watched* for any changes and tweaked ingredients when necessary.
- willowchow
- Rank 2
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- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:04 am
I don't give Willow raw, I tried to for awhile but her digestive issues just flare up. I do homecook a lot now and I've got great homecooking books and I also supplement. It took a little research but it's not hard once you get the hang of it. If she'd eat more variety I'd cook all the time but there are only a handful of things she'll eat so we have to use some "dog food".
Also wanted to add--You can buy pre-made raw foods too. The meat/bone/veggies are usually already ground. You don't have to worry about supplements either.
Also wanted to add--You can buy pre-made raw foods too. The meat/bone/veggies are usually already ground. You don't have to worry about supplements either.
- Rogansmommy
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- Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 4:26 pm
- Location: Apollo Beach, Florida
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- Rank 3
- Posts: 1010
- Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2006 8:04 am
- Location: Alaska
In 1998 I went to a completely raw diet with my five dogs (ranging in age from one year to nine years). I did it after a lot of research into the diet and the ideas behind the diet. I was certified as a vet tech and had worked in a vet's office for many years and heard all of the pet food reps "poo-poo" the idea of a raw diet. My vet was skeptical. I was skeptical too, especially as I carried a certification as a Nutritional Consultant at the time and everything I'd been taught said "don't feed raw because it's too hard to properly balance a diet and too easy for the dogs to get sick from the bacteria".
But because of health problems in two of my dogs, I decided to make the switch. I was active (still am) on a German shepherd email list and many of the members there were feeding raw because so many shepherds have allergy problems (much more than chows, I think). In my case, I had Kylee who had recurring hot spots and Dawson (the oldest, a shepherd) who was on rimadyl and other meds because of elbow displasia and degenerative myelopathy of the spine. It was the DM that led me into the raw diet. As I researched feeding practices for dogs with DM, I kept running into accounts of dogs that had been helped with a raw diet. At that point I would have fed him gold if it would have helped!
So I talked to people and bought the books and worried. I worried about the bacteria especially as people are so susceptible to bacteria in uncooked meats. But as I watched my dogs on our walks in the woods and on the beach, I realized that they had a tendency to scarf down little dead things they found (birds, rodents, fish) and they rarely - VERY rarely - had any side effects from it. Occasionally they'd have a bit of loose stool and that was it. And I came to realize that they just dealt with the bacteria differently from humans. The literature said that they handled it pretty well, but it was a hard thing to believe.
In November of 1998 I made the switch to raw with all five dogs. It took some adjustment. I worried and fussed over getting a proper balance each and every day, and then realized that I could balance over a week or so and it worked fine. I found that the veggies caused more problems than the meats and I cut back on them. I gave my dogs raw chicken - bones and all - and watched as their teeth became incredibly clean as all the tartar scraped off. On the occasional time one would urp up some bone pieces, I'd take a good look at the bone and found that it was actually soft. Yes, they did vomit on occasion - but even when I fed only kibble, they occasionally vomited. Puke happens .. *L*
I had zero problems with the bones coming out the other end. I never saw a non-digested bone come out. The stools became very small and would turn white quickly and then collapse into powder. Clean-up was almost non-existent.
Kylee quit having hot spots. She has not had a hot spot since the day I started feeding her raw (over seven years now). And the change in Dawson was very obvious. He perked up, showed increased strength, and I was able to take him off of Rimadyl within a month. He lived for another two years before succumbing to the DM. I really didn't think I'd have that long with him.
Now, feeding raw is not for everyone. I never pushed it at people because I fully understand the concerns, the fears and the difficulties related to it. It's a pain in the *ss to deal with all the raw meat. But I firmly believe that I did the right thing in switching.
Due to a few different reasons, I no longer feed 100% raw. I use a good quality kibble and I intersperse it with raw or lightly cooked foods. It can be expensive up here to feed raw, and added to that I have some difficulty in cutting up the meats anymore (physical problem with my hands). My dogs are doing pretty well on this "modified raw" diet. But if I had more ability and more money, I'd feed them raw all the time.
Anyway, that's my story on feeding raw. It's a personal choice, but for many years I fed raw and my dogs were healthy and happy on it. And I never had to worry about a dog food company screwing up the ingredients they use in their foods.
Melanie and the gang in Alaska
But because of health problems in two of my dogs, I decided to make the switch. I was active (still am) on a German shepherd email list and many of the members there were feeding raw because so many shepherds have allergy problems (much more than chows, I think). In my case, I had Kylee who had recurring hot spots and Dawson (the oldest, a shepherd) who was on rimadyl and other meds because of elbow displasia and degenerative myelopathy of the spine. It was the DM that led me into the raw diet. As I researched feeding practices for dogs with DM, I kept running into accounts of dogs that had been helped with a raw diet. At that point I would have fed him gold if it would have helped!
So I talked to people and bought the books and worried. I worried about the bacteria especially as people are so susceptible to bacteria in uncooked meats. But as I watched my dogs on our walks in the woods and on the beach, I realized that they had a tendency to scarf down little dead things they found (birds, rodents, fish) and they rarely - VERY rarely - had any side effects from it. Occasionally they'd have a bit of loose stool and that was it. And I came to realize that they just dealt with the bacteria differently from humans. The literature said that they handled it pretty well, but it was a hard thing to believe.
In November of 1998 I made the switch to raw with all five dogs. It took some adjustment. I worried and fussed over getting a proper balance each and every day, and then realized that I could balance over a week or so and it worked fine. I found that the veggies caused more problems than the meats and I cut back on them. I gave my dogs raw chicken - bones and all - and watched as their teeth became incredibly clean as all the tartar scraped off. On the occasional time one would urp up some bone pieces, I'd take a good look at the bone and found that it was actually soft. Yes, they did vomit on occasion - but even when I fed only kibble, they occasionally vomited. Puke happens .. *L*
I had zero problems with the bones coming out the other end. I never saw a non-digested bone come out. The stools became very small and would turn white quickly and then collapse into powder. Clean-up was almost non-existent.
Kylee quit having hot spots. She has not had a hot spot since the day I started feeding her raw (over seven years now). And the change in Dawson was very obvious. He perked up, showed increased strength, and I was able to take him off of Rimadyl within a month. He lived for another two years before succumbing to the DM. I really didn't think I'd have that long with him.
Now, feeding raw is not for everyone. I never pushed it at people because I fully understand the concerns, the fears and the difficulties related to it. It's a pain in the *ss to deal with all the raw meat. But I firmly believe that I did the right thing in switching.
Due to a few different reasons, I no longer feed 100% raw. I use a good quality kibble and I intersperse it with raw or lightly cooked foods. It can be expensive up here to feed raw, and added to that I have some difficulty in cutting up the meats anymore (physical problem with my hands). My dogs are doing pretty well on this "modified raw" diet. But if I had more ability and more money, I'd feed them raw all the time.
Anyway, that's my story on feeding raw. It's a personal choice, but for many years I fed raw and my dogs were healthy and happy on it. And I never had to worry about a dog food company screwing up the ingredients they use in their foods.
Melanie and the gang in Alaska