What Are the Benefits of the Raw Food Diet for Dogs?

History

• The biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet has been around since Fido has been a family pet. In the early times of the settlers, dogs were just given table scraps that were left over from meals. In those days, dogs lived long lives unless they were plagued by a disease. It wasn't until about 70 years ago that commercial dog food became available.

Facts

• Every dog will react differently to the raw food diet, so it's best to start slowly. Incorporate raw foods with your dog's current dog food to allow the dogs's stomach to adjust. If you do a cold turkey switch, you put your dog at risk for potential stomach troubles. When in doubt, talk to your veterinarian to get another opinion. A word of caution: some veterinarians are for and some vets are against raw diets, so it could be beneficial to speak to more than one vet for a well-rounded opinion.

  There is a lot of information available on the Internet as well as a few books regarding dog health and the raw food diet. Dr. Ian Billingshurst wrote the book "The BARF Diet," and he is the common denominator in all the websites.

Benefits

• There are many benefits to feeding your dog a raw diet. Dry dog food causes tartar to build up on teeth. If you are a dog owner who does not brush his or her dog's teeth, this buildup can potentially cause gum disease and bad breath. With the raw food diet, tartar buildup is minimal, leaving the teeth whiter and healthier. Raw food also helps fight doggy breath.

  Fewer potty breaks are another benefit to the raw diet. A dog that has been placed on a raw food diet that works well for him or her will have smaller and less frequent stools. If the stools are too loose or soft, add more raw meaty bones, and if the stools are too hard, add more vegetables. The owners of dogs on the raw food diet love the fact that the dogs make fewer stains in the grass. A dog on a raw food diet has less concentrated urine, meaning no unsightly burned grass stains in the yard.

  If your dog suffers from hot spots on the skin, a raw food diet could be the answer. Giving your dog proper nutrition is a better way to eliminate these spots rather than pouring on more medication to be absorbed by the body.

  Dogs love water, and it is often hard to keep up with how much they want. Just like humans, dogs only require a minimal amount of water to stay hydrated. However, processed dog food is dry and dries out dogs' mouths, making them thirsty. And the more they drink, the more they have to go potty. With a raw food diet, they get an ample amount of moisture in their feedings, cutting down on the excess water consumption.

  You may not notice this, but some dogs bloat. When a human consumes an excessive amount of salt, the body retains water, and we bloat. The same is true for dogs because of the byproducts found in many commercially produced dog food. By switching to a raw food diet, you can eliminate this bloating problem, and that makes for a more comfortable and happy dog.

Potential

• The biggest potential aside from the benefits listed above is the end result of reversing a disease, bringing an ill dog back to a 100% good quality of life and knowing you have fed your dog the best your money can buy. For example, if your dog has a heart condition, feeding a raw food diet of mixed vegetables and the supplements L-carnitine and taurine could potentially reverse the damage.

What to Feed

• Chicken, beef, and pork can be fed two times a day. The amounts are left up to the owner by checking the dog's stools. Fish should be introduced as soon as possible and is required at least once a week. Organ meats should be fed to the dog at least three times a week. Dogs love eggs; feed them an egg at least three times a week. Yogurt and cottage cheese are excellent sources of vitamin C and calcium; feed your dog 4 Tbsp a week. Most owners like to break this up to 1 Tbsp per day.

  Vegetables should be introduced one at a time, and again, the amount should vary based on the softness of the stools. Try throwing all the fruit or vegetables in a blender; it might help your dog get used to vegetables because they have so many flavors and textures.

  Grains should also be added to your dog's diet. Barley flakes are good in the summer and spring, and rolled oats are better for cooler weather. Rice and pasta make a wonderful treat and supplement, even though they have to be cooked before feeding.

Basic Supplements

• Supplements are vital to your dog's health as well. Feeding your dog a raw food diet provides more of the nutrition the dog needs, but you still need to supplement a few things. Vitamin E pills and fish oil pills can be pierced and added to the food, and 1 tsp of olive oil can also be added. Vitamin C pills can be broken up into small pieces and hidden in the meat of the meal.

Warnings

• Your dog will get gas on the raw food diet, but this is only temporary. Try to endure it before you give up. This is just the body's way of adjusting.
  Food should be served at room temperature.
  Onions are known to cause anemia in dogs, so it's best to stay clear of them.
  Do not feed dogs fruits like oranges and grapefruits; the acids can harm sensitive stomachs.
  Dogs are just like humans when it comes to digestion. What one dog can handle may not be the same for another. Pay attention to your dog when he or she eats goes the bathroom. Stay away from anything the dog does not like or causes loose stools.
  Avoid giving your dog grapes and raisins. In some dogs, grapes and raisins are toxic, affecting the kidneys, and are just not worth the risk.
  Other things you should not feed your dog include fruit pits and seeds, nuts, potato peelings or green potatoes, rhubarb, broccoli in large amounts, green parts of tomatoes (like green potatoes and peels, these parts contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems).
  Pay attention to your dog's breath. If it gets really bad, it could be a sign of liver problems and should be checked immediately.
  All meat is to be fed raw, so be careful to follow safe handling instructions.
  Do not feed your dog small bones because they can break into smaller pieces and can easily get lodged in the throat or intestines.