Raw Diets

A Diet Based on Evolutionary Principles

What is BARF?

In the past couple of years there has been more and more talk about alternative diets for dogs. The acronym BARF has gotten much attention in the media with a lot of mixed opinions. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones And Raw Food and it is a diet of raw meat, bones, vegetables and supplements that mimics what a dog or wolf would eat in the wild.

Wolves eat game such as deer, sheep and goats, birds like chicken and pheasants, rabbits and sometimes fish as well. They eat mainly meat but will also eat the contents of their prey's stomach, which contains grasses and vegetables.

But My Little Yorkshire Terrier Is Not a Wolf!

Your dog, no matter what breed, is more wolf that you think. The DNA of a domesticated dog differs from wolf DNA by only 0.2%! We may have changed their appearance and modified their behaviour a bit, but there is almost no biological difference between dogs and wolves.

A wolf's, and therefore a dog's digestive system has evolved to process raw meat and bones from the prey he hunts. Their digestive system does not process grains such as rice, corn, and wheat because they are not part of a natural diet.

Unlike ours, and the intestines of herbivores, the dog's intestines and very short and therefore cannot process whole grains because they require more time in the digestive tract to break down and be absorbed properly.

The Benefits of Raw Food

Since raw food is what a dog's digestive systems is designed to eat all nutrients are better absorbed by the dog creating over-all better health. Some examples of improved health are listed here, but this is only the tip of the iceberg:

• Better muscle growth and a learner body mass. Muscle mass supports joints better than fat.
• Shiny, healthier coats that sheds much less.
• Healthier skin free of dry patches, hot spots and allergies. That 'doggie smell' will disappear too!
• Liver, kidney and gallbladder functions are improved because your dog no longer has to process chemicals and additives found in processed foods.
• Cleaner teeth and healthy gums develop from gnawing on bones. Bad breath also disappears.
• Smaller, firmer, less stinky stools - because your dog is using most of what he eats now!

Thriving or Merely Surviving?

Dogs can survive on a purely kibble diet, but they will flourish on a raw diet. Before commercial diets were introduced a dog's life spand was about 18 years. Hip displasia, allergies and cancer were rare - today they are common. Many kibble-fed dogs seem healthy, but are they really? If you dog suffers from any of the minor to major ailments listed below they are not truly thiving, merely surviving.

• Excssive shedding (your dog rubs up against your leg and you are covered in hair) and a dull coat
• Hot spots and other skin issues such as itching and dandruff
• Body odor
• Chronic ear infections
• Bad breath and teeth full of tartar
• Frequent, loose, smelly stools and/or chronic diarrhea
• Food and/or environmental allergies
• Obesity
• Joint problems and/or arthritis
• Diabetes
• Cancer

Make a Change in Your Dog's Life!

For more information on raw diets check out the texts and links listed in our Recourses section. You can also purchase ready-made raw diets at many pet food stores. Ren's Pet Depot and Ryan's Quality Pet Foods carries a range of already-prepared raw diets.