Is The BARF Diet Really as Gross As It Sounds?

by Amy Tokic

Published: August 5th, 2013

is the barf diet really as gross as it sounds

Before you toss your cookies, let’s look at the BARF Diet and if it’s right for your dog

From a marketing standpoint, calling a diet the “BARF Diet” doesn’t sound too appealing. But for some, it’s the only diet they’ll feed their dogs. Let’s take a closer look at what the BARF Diet is and if something you’d feed your dog.

Before we go on, we’d just like to note that every dog is different. And that means their nutritional needs are different. A certain diet or food that works for a particular dog may not be the right fit for your pooch. It’s important to investigate the different foods and diets out there to ensure your dog is having his nutritional and digestive needs met properly. This will take time and some sleuthing on your part. Digestive health will affect your dog’s overall well-being, so researching different diets is a vital element of being a good pet parent.

What is the BARF Diet?

A type of raw food diet, the BARF Diet is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones And Raw Food. This diet was created by raw food proponent Dr. Ian Billinghurst. He claims that raw food is a dog’s natural diet as they evolved over millions of years, and is still their ideal food source. Processed foods, he believes, are “not what [the] dog was programmed to eat during its long process of evolution.” This raw diet is favored by experts and veterinarians who practice homeopathy or prefer holistic treatments.

The most common BARF Diet is made up of about 80 percent muscle meat with fat, 10 percent organs and 10 percent raw meaty bones (these are soft enough for the dog to chew). As well, giving your dog raw meaty bones as treats throughout the week is also encouraged. Because the BARF Diet is a Raw Diet, it can be varied; you can add other proteins, such as green tripe or a whole egg to the mix. Other raw enthusiasts add fruits and vegetables into the diet. Depending on what your dog’s nutritional needs are, the percentages can be adjusted.

When it comes to serving sizes, Billinghurst recommends doling out an amount of between two to three percent of a dog’s body weight (that translates to.5 lbs. of food per 25 lbs. of body weight). If you’re starting your puppy on a raw diet, they should be getting no more than 10 percent of their body weight or two to three percent of their ideal adult body weight.

The Pros and Cons Of The Barf Diet

There are many supporters and detractors of raw food, and they tout their own list of pros and cons.

Here’s what pro-BARFers say about the benefits of this diet:

Dogs have cleaner teeth and healthier gums
This diet promotes shinier coats and healthier skin
There’s no unpleasant bad breath
It gives dogs lots of energy
The BARF Diet means less fat and more muscle on your dog
You’ll notice that you dog has brighter eyes
The scoop on poop – it’ll be smaller, firmer, and less smelly
Because the diet makes your dog healthier, it means less health issues and vet bills
Great for dogs that suffer from allergies
No chemicals, preservatives, sweeteners, fillers and additives
No fatty grains

And here’s what the anti-BARFers have to say about the diet:

The benefits aren’t proven, only anecdotal
Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella
Uncooked bones can cause airway obstruction, choking, bowel obstruction and intestinal perforations when swallowed
It can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and severe diarrhea
It takes a lot of time to cook the food, find the right mix for your dog and you have to monitor your dog as he eats the food so he doesn’t choke on the bones
More expensive than traditional kibble
Nutritional and dietary balance can be a concern

How do you get started?

If you’re interested in learning more about raw feeding and the BARF Diet, there are more than a few books out there that can make the transition smoother. Dr. Ian Billinghurst’s “ Give Your Dog A Bone” and “ Grow Your Pup With Bones” are good places to start. Remember, knowledge is key when it comes to properly feeding your dog. If you don’t have the time to prepare it yourself, there are several dog food companies that sell pre-packaged raw meals. Just a few include BARF World, Life’s Abundance and Stella & Chewy’s. There are many out there – all you have to do is Google raw food or BARF Diet food for dogs and you’ll have a mountain to browse through. And because this type of diet is becoming more popular, it seems like we’re hearing about new raw food companies every day!

Do you feed your dog the BARF or raw diet? We’d love to hear your experiences with it and why you chose to go that route. And if you tried this type of diet and it didn’t work for your dog, we want to hear about it too. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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If you have a dog – or ever had one – you know that fleas and ticks are amongst the most persistent and pesky pests that affect our pets. They can be notoriously difficult to get rid of, so more often than not, owners reach for harsher repellents based on insecticides in hopes they’ll be more effective. While they can help you resolve the issue faster, the ingredients in these flea and tick protection products can be dangerous for sensitive dogs – which is why many turn to gentler, natural methods of keeping these parasites at bay.6 Ways You Can Protect Your Dog from Fleas & Ticks Without Chemicals Protecting your dog from fleas and ticks is important for their health – at the very least. Not only that their bites are super irritating (fleas) but both of these pests can carry or cause a range of diseases and health issues, from coat and skin problems to more severe conditions, such as anemia or Lyme disease. Needless to say, this means that timely protection is imperative, and in case you spot any of these pests on your pet, you should get rid of them fast. While there are many commercial products available for flea and tick prevention, some dog owners prefer natural methods – here are 6 steps you should take to keep ticks and fleas away from your pet without resorting to insecticides:Regular Grooming: This comes as the first and foremost rule. Don’t neglect your pet’s hygiene. Frequent grooming helps you spot and remove fleas and ticks manually. Use a fine-toothed comb to check for pests, and make it a part of your regular grooming routine. Additionally, don’t forget about regular bathing. Some natural dog shampoos are formulated to eliminate fleas and ticks and act as repellents in between baths, such as  this one which contains essential oils such as peppermint, clove, cedarwood, etc, which act as natural insect repellents. However, remember not to bathe your pet too frequently, as it can leave their skin dry and flaky. 

Vet School Aims to Dispel Misinformation About Mysterious Illness

News about a mysterious illness has been making dog parents across the country nervous as they seek out available information. While there have been reported advances made in understanding the cause of the illness, many of the details are still vague, and a lot of “data” being shared by the mainstream media seems to be contradicting. How do you know what to believe?To help clarify the sea of information, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine has published an educational hub on their website with information about the illness, Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (aCIRDC).This hub is divided into several categories: Prevalence, Clinical Signs, Pathogenesis, Screening, Treatment, Prevention, Travel, and News. The goal is to share reliable and actionable information for pet parents that will help them make smart, knowledge-driven decisions about their pet’s health, especially as we head into a busy time of travel during the holiday season.Reported Cases of IllnessAccording to the hub, there are currently reported cases of “a chronic respiratory disease with characteristics of aCIRDC” in 16 different states, including:CaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsNew HampshireNevadaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVermontWashingtonOne of the most important things to note is the wording used by LSU Vet Med. This list is based on reported respiratory illnesses that have characteristics of the mystery illness, but it does not mean that the disease itself has been confirmed. Many respiratory infections and ailments present with very similar symptoms, including Canine Influenza and Bordatella.How to Prevent Illness in Your Dog This Holiday SeasonWhile there is no guarantee that the above states pose a higher risk of aCIRDC, veterinarians and other professionals recommend that pet parents take precautions to keep their pets safe. This is especially important as many of us plan to travel and visit family for the holidays. The following recommendations (as outlined by LSU Vet Med) will help to prevent your dog(s) from getting sick from any respiratory ailment, not just aCIRDC.Ensure Vaccinations are Up to DateWe currently don’t have enough understanding of aCIRDC for a preventative vaccination, but there are vaccinations for some respiratory illnesses. Check with your veterinarian that your dog is current on all routine vaccinations.Limit Exposure (Where Possible)If possible, avoid or limit bringing your dog to areas that put them at a higher risk of contracting a respiratory illness. This includes dog parks or shelter environments. Have a conversation with boarding and training facilities where dogs socialize to better understand their preventative measures, including cleaning and sanitization efforts. You should also ask about the vaccine requirements for dogs in their care and their plan for handling animals that show signs of being ill.Isolate Dogs with Signs of IllnessIs your dog showing signs that they may be ill? If so, isolation is critical. Don’t bring a potentially sick dog to public spaces, and do your best to keep them safely isolated from any other unaffected dogs in your home.

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What is Red Light Therapy for Dogs?

When your dog gets injured or is recovering from a routine surgery, it can be difficult to keep them comfy and to help heal their injuries faster at the same time. However, innovative red light therapy for dogs proved to be a safe and efficient treatment for a variety of ailments, from skin inflammation to wound healing, and much, much more.Red light therapy is also known as photobiomodulation therapy, and it involves the use of red or near-infrared light to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation. The reason for its effectiveness is the specific wavelengths that are absorbed by the mitochondria in cells, which are considered the cell’s powerhouse. As the mitochondria absorb the “red light”, the absorption stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is popularly called the “energy currency of cells”. The entire process then increases blood flow to the treated area, stimulating faster healing, and pain relief. What’s so great about red light therapy is that it is not invasive, and all that is needed is a specialized device that emits specific wavelengths of light.Red light therapy treatment sessions usually last from a few minutes to around 20 minutes, depending on the condition being treated and the specific device used. The frequency of sessions may vary, with some dogs benefiting from daily treatments initially, followed by less frequent “maintenance” sessions. Of course, your veterinarian can advise you on the appropriate treatment procedure for your dog's needs – if you’re unsure if red light therapy is the right choice for your dog, be sure to consult an expert before taking any steps.Of course, while you shouldn’t do anything without your vet’s approval, a great thing about this treatment is that it is entirely safe. When used appropriately, it has no risks for your dog. The secret is in the light energy that does not generate heat at all, eliminating any risk of burning or tissue damage. Naturally, it goes without saying that you should closely follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the specific device you are using. 

Lost Service Dog Survived 2 Months Alone in the Colorado Mountains

It’s every dog parent’s nightmare. 14-month-old service dog in training Nova Riley slipped out of her harness and bolted out of a Safeway parking lot in a panic. After several sightings by the community as they searched tirelessly alongside owner Robynne Simons-Sealy, Nova continued to run in fear from anyone who attempted to catch her. After two long months of worrying and searching, Simons-Sealy was reunited with her beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. Nova was discovered injured in the woods of Meyers Ranch Park by two hikers on November 19th. The hikers recognized that she was injured, frightened, and needed help. They tried to carry her out to safely, but due to her high anxiety (understandable, given the situation), she bit one of her rescuers. Refusing to leave the poor dog behind, they decided to bring in help. One hiker stayed with Nova to keep her calm and assure her they weren’t giving up on her. The other hiker descended the trail to ask the park rangers for help and guide them, along with Animal Control Officer Kylie Rupe, three miles back to her position. “When we first got up there, I had brought treats and food up with me, knowing she would probably be very food-motivated at that point,” explained Rupe. “I used food to make friends, and she was very friendly but skittish.” With the help of both the rangers and animal control, Nova was carried to safety on a tarp. One of the rangers had recognized Nova from a lost dog poster, allowing her to be reunited with her worried and ever-grateful owner.

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