RAW FOOD DIET FOR YOUR DOG
You probably already heard of or know someone who’s feeding their pets raw food diet. This diet is not new. In fact, this simple and ancient formula has kept dogs and cats happy and healthy for centuries. But wait - you are about to learn the secrets of this amazing diet. A Biologically Appropriate diet for a dog is one consisting of raw whole foods similar to those eaten by the dogs' wild ancestors. The food must contain such things as muscle meat, bone, fat, organ meats, vegetable and fruit materials combined in precisely the correct balance just as Mother Nature intended.
BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food. This diet is all about feeding dogs and cats properly and returning them to their evolutionary diet. Dogs and cats are meat eaters by nature. A diet consisting primarily of raw meat, organ meats, bone, and fat reflects what your pet would eat in its natural habitat. Since dogs and cats are carnivores by nature, they thrive on a diet rich in nutritious meat. Dogs do not require any grain in their diet; they have no nutritional need for it. Our pets get their energy from fats and protein so carbohydrates received from processed grain is not needed. Grains break down into sugar which can grow yeast, produce mucous and may contribute to a multitude of problems including skin allergies, cancer, digestive upsets and skeletal disorders to name just a few. Dogs do not have digestive system to cope with grains. Grains are one of the biggest sources of allergies in dogs. If you really think about it, there is no coyote in the world eating wheat or munching on corn cobs in the field. Unfortunately most commercial pet food companies ad grains to pet food to make it more cost effective for consumers. But is it really? If your dog develops allergy from grains in the food your vet bill will set you back a lot more than you think.
Raw food diet contain meats that are not cooked or processed. Obviously wild animals do not cook their food. Cooked food or commercial dog food takes longer for dogs to digest than raw diets. In addition, the heat used to actually cook the food destroys enzymes and anti-oxidants. Are you asking yourself yet “why my vet did not recommended this ?”. I asked my vet and I got straight forward answer “I’m really not familiar with raw food diet, so I wouldn’t recommend it”. Sadly most vets receive no education at university on dog diet and nutrition other than what the commercial dog food company reps tell them.
A raw diet provides a range of benefits that commercial dog diets can never hope to even closely match. These benefits include:
• Reduces and eliminates skin allergies even the most severe cases
• No more ear infections
• Naturally cleans teeth
• The immune system is strengthened and you’ll begin to see increased mobility in arthritic pets
• No more doggy odor
• Your pet will have super shiny coat
• Much less stool produced and stools become firmer and less smelly
• Your pet’s weight will be brought into line and it’s easy to maintain a leaner, more fit body
• Energy level will increase
• Most importantly will keep your pet healthy and happy for years to come.
There are several reputable companies on the market that produce high quality raw foods for dogs and cats in frozen form or dehydrated. Some owners prefer to make their own raw food recipes. Either way you’ll be feeding your pet the best food that nature intended and they will love it!
If you would like to give a try and see how your pet likes it, please stop by the Barkers Pet Resort for a complimentary raw food sample and a wide selection of frozen raw foods. After all healthy pet is a happy pet.
