The BARF Diet: Sounds Yummy, But What Is It?

It actually sounds kind of gross, but BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food.  Many health conscious veterinarians are huge advocates for this diet which can completely replace commercially prepared dog food.  One of the first proponents of the BARF diet was Dr. Ian Billinghurst who still recommends it today.  He believes that it is the ultimate way to get our pets in to optimum health. Many people believe that the BARF diet simulates what your dog would eat in his natural environment.

Many people feel that there are a lot of health advantages to feeding a raw food diet.  Many owners who have dogs with problems such as allergies, skin problems, weight problems, and anal gland problems have found that the bones and raw food diet has helped to significantly remedy these issues. 

Some of the advantages to feeding a biologically appropriate raw food diet include no consumption of preservatives found in most commercially prepared kibble diets, it usually tastes better to your dog than regular dog food, and in general, muscle mass and body condition improve on a raw food diet.  One also often finds that dogs produce fewer stools, eat more slowly, and have fewer health problems.  Many advocates of the raw food diet also claim that it is less expensive than commercially manufactured dog food.  One of the biggest disadvantages to this diet is that it takes longer to prepare.

Many people are hesitant to feed their dog a raw diet because they are concerned about their dogs choking on bones.  While these incidents occur, proponents of raw food diets say they are rare, and that generally, dogs choke on cooked bones, not raw ones. 

There are commercially prepared raw food diets on the market.  While this is always an option for you if you choose to feed raw food, many advocates of the BARF diet recommend against it.  They argue that these foods have different regulations that human grade foods, oftentimes contain unnecessary supplements, are ground foods (and the whole basis of the BARF diet is raw, meaty bones), and are much more expensive than visiting your local butcher.

If you decide that the bones and raw food diet is something that you’d like to try, first talk to your veterinarian about your decision.  Then, do as much research into the diet as possible.  Talk to others who feed the diet.  You may find that by feeding the BARF diet you are improving the health of your dog.