BARF diet, does anyone feed this method?

Angelina-M

Hi all.

I've been seriously looking at the food I feed my dogs recently. Its rather expensive but that doesnt really matter, I just think its boring.

Our bad diet is supposedly the reason for some of the diseases like cancer, heart disease etc, so maybe its the same for dogs? Dental disease is on the increase in dogs and I wonder if its due to giving them the same old biscuits everyday.

I am trying to research the BARF diet and i've not read any bad side to it yet. Does anyone on here feed it and have you noticed a difference in your dogs?

I gave my dog a raw bone today and she absolutely adored it. However she got very possessive and growled when anyone went near her. Not something im happy with, but maybe this would stop if she thought the bone wasn't just a one off.

I'd love to hear other people's comments, either for or against.

Many thanks for reading.

BigMummaF

Hi. We too are changing pup's diet from wet to dry, but with other food mixed in too. The quantity of dried stuff is reduced when he has almost BARF, except I cook it!

He will eat the kibble when mixed with milk, or we add things such as an egg; breakfast wheat biscuit; chopped fruit; tinned fish, or he has a 'dinner' of cooked meat & veg with rice or pasta.

He seems to be enjoying it, but we get conflicting advice about the things we are feeding him, so we're working on the theory that as long as he does'nt gain too much weight & remains healthy--we can't be going so wrong.

We were also told that LAMB bones are not a good idea, but not sure on that one..I know poultry is very dodgy bone-wise.
I'm hoping someone will be along soon to help us both out!
Sorry if I have confused you.........

likabu_2

Hi, have you had a look at the dog forum's food and nutrition forum? It has some very good advice on barf feeding and other people's experiences with it.

http://www.dogforum.org/forumdisplay.php?f=8
Link takes you direct to the right part of the forum.

Taken from one of the threads -
BARF (Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) - a diet of raw meaty bones, e.g. chicken wings, chicken necks, rabbit, oxtail, minced meats, lamb shanks, eggs and their shells, liver, heart, fish, yoghurt, veg (pulped), fruit, garlic, etc

Raw or RMB (Raw Meaty Bones) - a diet of 80% meat, 10% bone, 10% offal

I think that a bit of research is needed before starting one of these diets to be sure that you are getting it right.

Hope this helps

Lisa

Angelina-M

Thanks for the replies.

Yes there is a lot of information that needs to be gathered before launching in to the diet. I've joined the britbarf site and hope to get a lot of positive instruction there.

I was really nervous when I gave the first raw bone but seeing how happy she was and truly enjoying it, I decided its the right way to go.

I'd like to give one raw meal a day and one dry food, however that seems not the right thing to do. It seems its more or less a total changeover and all raw is needed.

Some people say give the dogs veg as well but others say no. Its a bit of a minefield!

likabu_2

Angelina-M wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

I've joined the britbarf site and hope to get a lot of positive instruction there.

I was really nervous when I gave the first raw bone but seeing how happy she was and truly enjoying it, I decided its the right way to go.

I'd like to give one raw meal a day and one dry food, however that seems not the right thing to do. It seems its more or less a total changeover and all raw is needed.

Some people say give the dogs veg as well but others say no. Its a bit of a minefield!

I have just been for a nose at the britbarf site, have joined up too. My pup is on dry food only at the moment. What dry food do you give your dog? - not that it is of any relevance only I am nosey lol.

Lisa

Angelina-M

I give genesis pet food but at £45 per 15kg it aint cheap!

I'm going to go to tesco tonight and price up things like chicken wings etc. I am sure that the raw food would be cheaper. Its not just that though, i've read so many places that the dogs are much healthier.

I'm hoping some raw fooders may come along soon and give us an idea of a suggested weekly diet.... please?

likabu_2

Wrote a msg out but it got lost lol. I have a pack of Tesco chicken wings in my fridge, £2 for 1.350kg, there are 21 wings inmy pack, quite good value I think.

Lisa

Angelina-M

Thats a good price. I'm off up there tonight lol!

I have to start this soon, too much sitting around reading and not enough doing!

Trouble is, everybody has different opinions, add veg, dont add veg, add supplements, dont add them.....

My head is spinning and all im trying to do is feed the blumming dog!

quidsin

Hi, i was talking to John Burns at crufts this year ( Burns Pet Food) about dog food, it really opened my eyes on what goes on, we were lucky that our dogs have always been on good quality food. There's an article on his site about BARF which he has his views on the diet.

http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/BARF_Raw_Food_Diet.htm

there's also articles on barf at- http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/search.php?searchid=1001827

I think as long as you give a balanced diet it should be ok. best of luck.

lizweb20

We have fed our dogs BARF for about 7 years.
They really like it and the older dog seemed have loads more energy!
Did a lot of research first, then joined the britbarf site, who were very helpful.
My beardie, sadly no longer with us, would do loads of perfect heel work when she thought a chicken wing was on offer!
It was because of our beardie that we changed to Barf as she had an auto immune disease. So pleased we did.

BabyElephant

My dog is on a raw diet and it suits her great. She also growled when we gave her a bone at first (never done anything like that before) but the trick is to give her something MORE tasty while she still has the bone NOT to take the bone away and scold her (if you want more info on this "technique" let me know).

As well as buying raw meat from the supermarket you can also get frozen packs of meat from the pet shop - it's a good way to dip your toe in to the water.

Many people say not to feed kibble & raw but I did for several months with no ill effects but then decided to change completely.

Chicken bones are fine as long as they aren't cooked - once they're cooked you have a potential problem because they can splinter. Poppy really loves frozen raw poultry necks! Having said that I know some people who won't feed raw chicken bones full stop.

Having said all this, raw isn't for every owner or every dog but do your research and you will find the best for you. Good luck