Ian Billinghursts BARF diet any vets have a comment? anyone feeding dog(s) this and results?

Question

The BARF diet : bones and raw food anyone ? Please respone only if you are feeding this alternative diet and/ or are knowledgable

Answer 1

I don't feed it myself, but I know quite a few people who do and are very pleased with the results. One of my puppy buyers reports that he has a shinier coat and smaller stools. I *have* heard of the odd dog getting intestinal blockage from the bones.

I have fed other raw diets in the past, healthy dogs, no problems. I occasionally give my dogs chicken or turkey necks as a treat, but I can't bring myself to give them the long bones like wings.

I personally am of the opinion that a homemade diet (cooked or raw), properly researched and balanced, is better than commercial kibble. Just do your research and collect lots of information (pro and con) before starting.

Answer 2

I feed my dogs something similar. The recipe I use for my dogs is a combination of ground turkey and hamburger (though some of my dogs can't handle the hamburger very well). I also use a mix of brown rice, garlic and vegetables (usually something similar to a california blend). For certain dogs I have to boil the mix until it is medium-raw. My wolf-dog is doing very good on this diet. She used to be a very picky eater so didn't gain much weight. She also had a rough coat, yellowing teeth, cloudy eyes. She seemed very lazy and not wanting to do anything. Since putting her on the meal (which has been almost a year and a half now) she has improved 90%. She has gained over 100 healthy pounds. She is leaner, more muscular, and not so fatty or flabby. Her teeth, coat and eyes have improved incredibly as well! She is also more playful, less submissive and has more energy than before. Because of her breed, she gets 80% RAW, 15% kibble and 5% bread, twice per day. When we first started out on the plan, she only got 1/4 RAW to 3/4 kibble; and we eventually worked our way up to where she's at now. To be honest, I wasn't completely happy with 100% raw with her. But I've had other dogs (I'm a foster home for pregnant dogs) that did wonders on 100% RAW. As far as vets that would comment, I'd say most of them would say it's not a healthy option. And, I agree with certain breeds. But in my opinion, offering a RAW diet that I make at home I know exactly what's in this food and should my dog have any kind of allergic reaction to anything I know what went in the meal and know what to take out. With store-bought kibble, lord only knows what's in it and should a reaction happen, you cannot take any of the ingredients out. You have to search through bag after bag after bag hoping the ingredients are different and the kibble you purchase with the different ingredients has removed the one causing the reaction in your dog. As for me--that's just too much work.

Answer 3

The BARF diet isn't reccommended at our office( I work for a vet). This being due to how the whole food breaks down in the body, plus all the extra cholesterol, etc... We always reccomend a high quality dog food diet. This being, the food is processed down enough that even a dog with allergies will be able to digest & only get the good out of the food, not any of the bad (allergies, upset stomach, etc...). Plus, we are VERY weary over dogs being given bones. Dr has had to remove many surgically from dogs.

Answer 4

This diet is not for all animals or breeds. There have been some excellent results and some disasterous ones. I strongly suggest you talk this over with YOUR vet, and get his recommendation. He knows your animal(s) and breed, and can suggest the proper course of diet that will be least harmful, and most beneficial.

Answer 5

If you feed dogs raw food, they won't just stink, they'll REEK. Their fur will also be matted and look awful. Did I mention that they'll REEK?

Stick to dog food, preferably Iams - shiny coat, no mats and your dog will get the nutrients he needs.