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GREATDANELADY.COM Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant Email:  |
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Feeding A Raw Diet - BARF |
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Feeding A Raw DietFirst, I am unable to assist in advising or balancing the BARF diet (biologically appropriate raw foods), due to the amount of time it takes to calculate a diet. Therefore I offer you the following information and food for thought. BARF is a philosophy of feeding, not set method which is why so many owners end up with problems. My website, nutrition lectures and articles speak to common sense and finding a middle ground in feeding our dogs. As a breeder, dealing mostly with other dog breeders with multiple animals, I have to approach my feeding program in a way that encourages people to make positive changes in their feeding programs so they are willing to stick with over the long term. Because of this, that is the reason I do not push totally raw diets. First, most people do not stick with a totally raw diet, especially breeders with multiple animals because the time/cost element is difficult to manage. The also find it hard to feed a diet with variety, they tend to fall into a routine, often causing over or under doses of nutrients over a period of time. While there are tremendous benefits to incorporating whole foods into a diet, like anything in life, there is a down side to it as well. One thing to consider, and this is a reality because I have dealt with several cases, is the potential for punctured intestines, knuckle bone obstructions, pathogenic bacteria, and bloat problems, while on a totally raw diet. I believe there are ways to do it right, but it means much self education and common sense. You need to have a very good background in nutrition to calculate appropriate amounts of calories and particularly of calcium/phosphorus intake or there will be DOD (developmental orthopedic diseases) or growing problems in young animals, as well as arthritis in the elderly animal. The attempt to feed totally raw without a solid "understanding" of the principles of nutrition can be disastrous in the long haul. Just because it is raw, does not mean it is balanced, and "balanced" is the key, particularly with the large/giant breeds prone to orthopedic problems. Everything we read equates the domesticated dog of today with the dog of yesteryear. The fact is, due to our intervention, the dog of today is not the same as it was even 50 years ago. It is a scientific fact, the digestive system and jaw pressure of the contemporary wolf is 10X greater than that of the contemporary domesticated dog. We are now dealing with a "different" and less hardy critter, regardless of it being a breed or a feral dog. Also in the wild an animal’s life expectancy is short and they would not get two meals a day, they would be lucky to get food 3-4 times a week. Often gorging and going without for days. I am not implying your dog should not be feed on a daily basis. I am simply stating, a wild animal does not have the luxury of having someone "select and prepare" a dinner for them on a daily basis, therefore they usually live on the edge of starvation. Our dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and since then, they have not survived on totally raw diets. Once they became domesticated or codependent on man, they started eating some of man's diet which was made up of leftovers, cooked meats, grains/breads/fruits and veggies, trash and human feces. Even current feral dogs living on the outskirts of villages in other countries, live off trash heap of the village, with only a little fresh kill, when they can get it. But we are trying to feed our current day dogs a prehistoric diet when infact, they are no longer a "wild" animal. It is completely understandable why the want to get into the trash, because canines are nature's trash disposals, eating everything and anything that is not tied down. I believe feeding the BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet can be problematic for most owners of large and giant breeds. Especially during the growth and developmental stages. Therefore, I will always suggest using a quality kibble (see list below) along with whole foods, that way you have a balanced diet, and the best of feeding raw. For my comprehensive feed program for all breeds, using a top quality Holistic kibble with a raw whole food component - for the best of both worlds. See the Blackwatch Balanced Raw Feed Program with more raw options, at this website. RAW DIET OPTIONS:Before you decided to feed the B.A.R.F. diet you need to educate yourself about this method. There are safe ways to incorporate raw into to your dogs diet and unsafe ways. I do not believe in a grainless diet based on my research, scientific research and feed trials we are now seeing a disadvantage to NO GRAIN diets. Below are some links you need to investigate first. I feel if you are going to incorporate raw into your dogs diet, use a commercially prepared raw that is balanced in calcium/phosphorus ratios and tested for pathogens. My preferences for this is Nature's Variety Prairie frozen medallions or Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw meat, fruits and veggies. This is ideal to top dress your kibble. Dr. Neuman's article shows recent research info on raw. also read : "Is
Feeding Raw Meat Safe" HOW TO FEED TOTALLY RAW - and YOU DO ALL THE WORK The Canine Natural Raw Meat Diet NDF: Natural Diet Foundation READY MADE - RAW FOOD DIETSIf you are interested in feeding raw, but are confused about doing so, and do not have the time/resources or knowledge to do it correctly, then I suggest the following alternatives. There are the highest quality foods manufactured that allow you to add your own raw meat/fruits and veggies so it equals a "balanced" diet. It is very easy to unbalance a diet and it is my suggestion that you go with one of these alternatives. Nature's Variety Prairie The Honest Kitchen - a freeze dried raw meat/fruit/veggie
option Steve's Real Food.
- This is a meat, veggie, fruit "balanced" diet and can
be use by itself or with kibble.
The Ultimate Diet - Organic
and Natural Dog and Cat Food Essex Cottage Farms Nature's Logic HOLISTIC KIBBLE AND RAW OPTIONS PHD - Perfect Healthy
Diet -can be feed with 5-20% raw foods Eagle Pack Dog Foods
- can be feed with 5-20% raw foods Nature's Variety Prairie Dog Foods www.naturesvariety.com Wysong Pet Foods kibble and raw meat www.wysong.com Oxy-Drops: If you are going to feed raw meats, please use Oxy-Drops in your dogs drinking water or mixed in water and poured on their food. This will help with any pathogenic bacteria that might be the result of feeding raw meats. To order: Oxydrops 877-816-6500 http://www.nzymes.com/product-oxydrops.htm
Nature's Variety Prairie European Style Raw Diet - Sojourner Farms This method of feeding involves purchasing a whole
grain, nut, herbal mixture then you add the raw meat to the diet.
This diet has been around for many years and used with success. Joint Supplementation Flexicose- Joint Supplementation If you are looking for a high quality glucosamine joint support product, I have used it with great success on my dogs and my elderly dogs respond well to joint nutritional supplementation. The amount of glucosamine in better dog foods is minimal, helpful nonetheless, but minimal, so a good joint supplement is ideal especially for any age or breed. I start my dogs during growth stages and continue throughout their adult life. With the large/giant breeds their joints have added stressed, so any thing that can help support them as they age is a positive thing in my opinion.
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