RAW vs Kibble Diet?

Question

Some people say that the original diet of the wild dog was raw meat. But, domesticated dogs have evolved since then, and maybe they aren't quite capable of eating like that anymore.

Then again, sled dogs still eat raw meat and bones.
Is the difference between quality natural kibble and the BARF diet really that great?

I am looking to adopt a puppy in the near future and wonder if I should go for feeding raw or sticking to kibble?

Healthwise - are they equal?

Is the BARF diet more burdensome? Portioning, freshness, boarding diet, if he/she get sick and has to stay at the vets?

I would think that giving a dog raw chicken wings is just asking for splintering. Are beef bones more suitable?


There's a wealth of information on the net that are for the BARF and some who are very against BARF.

Anyone have personal experience?

Anyone tried BARF and switched back or had an adverse reaction? Anyone have great results on BARF?

What do you think?

dogs intestinal tracts are too short to suffer salmonella. However, salmonella can be in their feces and their mouths, which could possibly transfer to humans.

If bone aren't good for dogs, then why is it okay to feed sled dogs raw meat and bones?

I've read and spoke to experts that mixing kibble with Raw is NEVER a good idea because they digest both foods differently and would sit in the intestines longer.

Answer 1

I don't feed barf... I feel like BARF is something people created to try to make themselves feel better about feeding their dogs raw meat. Dogs lack the enzymes that allow them to get nutrition from plant matter, so why feed fruits/veggies? To make the people feel like they are feeding their dog better food.

As far as kibble goes... they cook all the nutrition out of the food, so then they have to add in all these extra vitamins, etc. Why do that to your dog?

I feed a raw prey model diet... raw meat, bones and organ meat.

Do the research and you will be shocked at what you find....


http://www.rawmeatybones.com/

http://www.rawfed.com/myths/

http://www.rawlearning.com/

http://www.rawfeddogs.net/

Here is a group that can give you all the info you would like to have on feeding a raw prey model diet...

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

Good luck.

Answer 2

You need to be sure you are feeding a correct raw diet or you CAN kill your dog. If you have a holistic vet in your area, you can get reliable information on a raw diet there. Just realize that feeding raw diet is not a simple case of dropping food in a bowl. It requires regular preparation of the food as well as buying the correct combination of ingredients and feeding them in the proper proportions. Not only that but if you have to board your dog while on vacation for a length of time, you might have trouble getting a kennel to feed a raw diet. You need to keep the dog's bowl and the utensils used to prepare the diet very clean or you run the risk of salmonella, or other parasites. Most raw feeders freeze their meats for at least 24 to 48 hours to kill bacteria. There are prepared raw diets available. I believe Petsmart is beginning to carry some raw diets and natural diets that are frozen or refrigerated. There are organic and grain free diets that should be good for a dog with allergies. It is much easier to feed kibble than to go through the preparation of raw feeding. And it is possible, you will get all the ingredients and the dog STILL could show allergic reactions to it until you are sure what his allergies are from. Get that information and then you can make an informed decision of whether a raw diet would benefit him.

Answer 3

No one knows for certain how safe BARF is. Bones can cause obstructions, they are low in nutrients, they splinter and crack teeth. Here are some x-rays of bone obstructions:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/bones.html

Some dogs have a tougher digestive system than others. They can swallow sticks and chunks of cardboard and foil and have it come out the other end with just mucous to ease the passage. Others have trouble digesting their lunch.

Why not take the middle ground and serve rare steak, fully cooked chicken, whole grains and steamed vegetables? BARF proponents say that their diets of chicken backs and supplements costs about the same as commercial kibble. I have found that feeding the middle ground costs about 3-4 times what kibble costs. I think you pay for quality.

I have also found that commercial kibble puts weight on dogs while a human quality diet does not. They do not have bad breath, they have plenty of energy, they do not have fleas and do not take any flea preventatives, they do not have skin problems and they have excellent teeth.

Unless they have some abnormal condition, a healthy dog does not have to have all of his meals be homogeneous. They can get their nutrients (as we can) over time and benefit from a variety of foods.

Answer 4

The digestive systems are the same now as they were in the begining as is their teeth. Raw is best and a lot more natural for dogs, however many people don't know how to properly balance it or feed it.

As far as chicken wings..raw chicken bones will not splinter..they are fine to feed. COOKED bones are EXTREMELY dangerous and should NEVER be fed!!!

If a person can't feed raw or homecooked (another good alternative) then they need to feed the best possible commercial food..devoid of soy, corn, wheat and loads of grains. They need to find a food that has meat as at least the first 2-3 ingredients.

Answer 5

There is no real medical reason to feed you dog a raw diet. your dog can also get sick from a raw diet, things that people can get from raw meat dogs can get as well. Including salmonella and capylabactor can make your dog really sick. and from a covienence aspect kibble is definetly better. if you are still considering a raw diet i would talk to your vet first. there are plenty of good quality commercial diets available.
Also, bones are not a good idea, no matter if they are chicken, beef, pork or other. Not only can they splinter but they can cause obsrtuction and maybe even pancreatitis.

Answer 6

i was unsure of raw aswell. That was until i started feeding it. My dog was always skinny, now he looks healthy, his skin and coat are better, normal stools(FINALLY!!), His anal glands drain on their own (no more vet for that). I have had him on quite a few different foods because of allergies. None of them made him look THIS good. And i dont have to worry about him not eating.
I do not feed him chicken bones. I dont trust them. I have heard of dogs choking on splintered raw chicken bones too.

Its actually really easy to do especially if you can find a supplier near you. You can get it with or without veggies and in a bunch of different meats. Or you can buy your own meat and add veggies. In my case I get teh prepackaged stuff because it is local for one, and it already had bone meal (calcium)_ and organ meat so i dont have to deal with that. I use beef as a base and 1/3 of it with other meats. i usually add my own veggies but other than that its just a little vitamin E and cod liver oil. I give him bones a few times a week

By boarding diet do you mean overnight care? I work at a boarding/daycare facility. Whatever you bring for food is what we will feed the dog. The dogs eat in their own kennels so no one will be fighting over it. All you have to do is portion it out into meals so they dont have to touch it.

You asked if raw and dry are equal healthwise..I dont believe they are. Nutrients in the foods break down when they are cooked. Its like eating raw carrots gives you more vitamins that cooked.

hope my late night rambling has helped.

Answer 7

Hi there, b.a.r.f. is Great IF u have the time and patience for it. Hard part is if u travel, are a busier type person, etc....I wanted so much to use it for my Great Danes, but I just literally couldnt seem to feed them enough....one of em had a real taste for it and the other was too picky.....I recommend mixing barf with good quality kibble. Trying to get some of the best of both worlds. Chicken wings arent the problem if Raw as the dont splinter they bend, but I still stayed away from them....paranoid I guess. Thanks for adopting instead of supporting a puppy mill, good for you! :)

Who said a combo isint good? Dogs digest food EXTREMELy fast. THis is do to the fact that when an animal must fight, all other systems shut down...thats why u feel sick if u run or whatever after eating...cause your body is preparing to flight or fight....Dogs are only one gene away from wolves...and wolves eat pretty much whatever the can find. And theyve been around for milliuons of years

Answer 8

We tried the BARF diet, but actualy cooked alot of the meat bones because my pup has a very weak jaw. It was hard to measure out the food and mush up the veg. Plus it costs a tremendous amount if you get quality meat. I don't think it did any good, she's on a comerial pet food diet now. It's called Butchers Choice and in a foil tray, it has omega 3 oils and more meat than anything else. Her coats shiney and healthy, I think this is better than the Science Plan we got from the vets.