Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

One of the many responsibilities that come with owning a dog (or being owned by one, depending on your particular outlook) is feeding that dog. There is a relatively new fad diet called the BARF Diet for Dogs. The acronym stands for Bones And Raw Food. Your canine friend eats raw dog food.

The concept is this: before humans got involved with their fancy cans of gourmet dog food and what are essentially bags of meat-flavored dry cereal, dogs happily ate all things raw, and managed to not choke on bones, or get sick on greenery. Developed by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, a veterinarian from Austrailia, the BARF Diet for Dogs claims to improve the overall health of your furry friend by reducing periodontal disease, strengthening the immune system, providing exercise while eating, reducing or eliminating anal sac issues, and improving the psychological health of your dog.

With all these benefits, what could go wrong with the BARF Diet for Dogs? The primary concern is that raw food has a much greater potential for deadly bacteria than cooked food. This bacteria can not only be deadly to the one on the raw dog food diet, but also to the humans living in the same space. Many families with young children might balk at having raw meat and bone remnants hanging around ready to be used as a make-shift teething toy.

Another concern with raw dog food is that raw bones, like cooked ones, can perforate the gastrointestinal tract of even the sturdiest of ogs, forcing emergency surgery onto the unsuspecting dog and his family. The risk of bacterial contamination becomes even more severe.

Yet another concern with an all raw dog food diet, whether it is the BARF Diet for Dogs or another label, is that of parasites. Parasites thrive in raw food, and many dogs are susceptible to them.

There are also other dietary concerns that might not be met through an all raw dog food diet. High phosphorous content in raw meat can and does often impede calcium absorption, which dogs need for their bone strength, just like humans. Many vets also are concerned with skin health, anemia issues as well.

Still another consideration in determining whether the BARF Diet for Dogs, or other raw dog food diets are right for your pet is the question of if it is even wise to feed dogs solely according to what their ancestors needed. Dogs of decades and centuries past, and current cousins of dogs, such as wolves and coyotes, all eat raw dog food, but does that mean that their domesticated counterparts should or need to do so? Dogs living in the wild are used to all the bacteria found in scavenging for food, but most domesticated dogs have never been exposed to more than the smallest morsels of raw meat, and usually that comes from a scrap of fatty tissue cut off a steak before a human cooks it. This table scrap raw dog food is a far cry from traditional canine scavenging.

No matter what you decide for feeding your dog, don’t make any decision without consulting with the dog’s veterinarian. As with human fad diets, the BARF Diet for Dogs sounds good on paper, but should only be initiated after careful research and consideration for other alternatives.

The BARF (“Bones and Raw Food” or “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food”) diet is a system of holistic nutrition which is championed by Dr Ian Billinghurst who is an Australian vet. Dr. Billinghurst has published several books on health and nutrition. The best known of these is called “Give Your Dog a Bone”. The BARF Evolutionary philosophy is at first glance an attractive one; it seems to be truly natural because it tries to emulate the lifestyle of the dog in the wild.

But, after due consideration I am of the opinion that the BARF theory, like the emperor’s new clothes, does not stand up to critical inspection.

The BARF or “Evolutionary” Diet is based on the principle that domestic dogs should be fed on a diet which replicates as closely as possible the diet of the wild dog. According to Dr Billinghurst domestic dogs have been fed on processed (cooked) foods for only approximately 70 years and this is not a long enough time to adapt to cooked foods.

To replicate the diet of the wild dog he recommends that all carbohydrate should be avoided and pet dogs and cats should be fed on a diet based on raw meaty bones and raw vegetables . Dr Billinghurst insists that because of this evolutionary history the BARF DIET is the ONLY correct way to feed the modern domestic pet dog.

The problem with the evolutionary argument is that domestic dogs bear little relationship to the original wild dog. Very early in their association it is likely that man selected and bred those animals which suited his purpose e.g. guarding, hunting, more docile, less independent – even better suited to the food provided by man.

There are practical reasons why the diet of the wild dog is not automatically suitable for the domestic dog. The modern dog and its lifestyle bear no similarity whatever to the wild dog. We provide shelter in heated houses, they do not have to forage or compete for food, they eat every day, and they have little exercise compared to a wild dog.

Many dogs have dietary sensitivity which means that they need a highly digestible diet, low in protein and low in fat. I can’t see how that could be achieved with a BARF diet.

Modern farm livestock is reared in such a way that the fat content, even in “lean” meat is very high. So a diet high in meat will inevitably be high in fat too.

The Carbohydrate Question

According to Dr Billinghurst dogs cannot digest carbohydrate. In reality, the dog has very sophisticated, sensitive and efficient mechanisms for breaking down carbohydrate and ensuring its absorption. This could not have evolved if carbohydrate was detrimental.

But, according to BARF, carbohydrate causes so many health problems e.g. inflammatory disease such as pancreatitis. While it is true that low-quality or refined carbohydrate may be undesirable, what vet has not recommended chicken and rice to treat gastro-intestinal disease?

There are other major flaws with the BARF philosophy. One which flies in the face of the facts is the assertion that raw food is more digestible and that cooking destroys that digestibility. Simple common sense and experience tell us that cooking actually increases digestibility. Increasing the digestibility of the food is an important way of treating bowel disease and problems of malabsorption. Cooking does this.

I suspect that any success claimed for the Raw Food system is due to a much more mundane explanation than its grandiose but erroneous philosophy. This is that any benefits are due to the avoidance of ingredients which cause dietary intolerance.

My main criticism of the BARF philosophy is its self-righteousness.

BARFism puts forward a flawed theory with a certainty which bears comparison to religious fundamentalism; it brooks no dissent. It advocates a system which is impractical and does not fit well into the lifestyle of present society, denying the possibility of alternatives, thereby condemning those pet owners, the majority, to feelings of inadequacy for failure to follow its teachings.

If you are considering switching from commercial pet food to a BARF diet, then you probably have plenty of questions.  This article is not intended to promote the diet or tell you what to feed your pet.  Instead, it is intended to help you with how to safely feed your pet.  There are things you can do around your home to keep your family safe from bacteria, and there are things you can do to help your pet transition to the diet.  Bottom line:  if you have any questions, then talk to your veterinarian.

Before you implement any sort of diet, you should consult your veterinarian.  Your vet can help you slowly introduce the diet, so that you don’t shock your pet’s system.  Before you see the vet, then conduct a little research on your own.  Consider the pros and cons of the diet, so you can have an educated conversation with the vet.  If your veterinarian does not support the BARF diet, then find out why.  You may want to seek a veterinarian who is more open to your desires and concerns.

The first question many new BARFers have has to do with where the meat comes from.  Since your pet will consume parts of the animal that you may not wish to consume, there is no reason to purchase expensive meat from the supermarket.  Often, the best place to go is the butcher.  Talk to the butcher about discounted possibilities, since the meat your dog loves may be thought of as “waste” to the butcher (this includes chicken necks, chicken carcasses, fish heads, etc.).

One of the first dangers of the BARF diet that opponents point out is a bacterial concern.  Raw food can contain E. coli, Salmonella, and other harmful bacteria.  However, the bacteria can also be found in multiple areas of your home, including your bathrooms and kitchen.  Your pooch’s body will be able to handle the natural amounts of bacteria that are found in the food.  However, you should still practice normal “meat” safety precautions.  If it’s more than a few days old (depending on the type of meat), then throw it out.  Even if your pet’s system can handle the food, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  When you handle the meat, then you should always wash your hands afterwards.  Any surface that the meat touches, whether it’s your countertop or refrigerator shelf, should be thoroughly disinfected.  Basically, use any health precautions with your pet’s meat as you would your own. 

Another concern about the diet is bone consumption.  You’ve probably heard for years that you are not supposed to feed your pet chicken bones since they are easily frayed.  Well, remember that BARF is a raw diet.  Raw bones are actually ideal, because they are easier to chew and less likely to fray off.  But, you should not feed your pet cooked bones!  Some owners ask if the bones should be ground up first.  For most pets, grinding the bones is completely unnecessary.  But, this is something that you should discuss with your veterinarian, since it is sometimes needed. 

If your dog is a food inhaler, then you have probably witnessed how quickly a bowl of kibble can vanish.  Unfortunately, commercial dog food does not require your pet to thoroughly chew his food.  One great thing about the BARF diet is that you pet has to somewhat work to eat, so he is forced to slow down and chew.  But, if you are worried about your pet inhaling the bones and possibly choking, then make sure you monitor your pooch in the beginning.  Feeding him large items, such as an entire chicken neck, will help slow his chewing.  If needed, feed him one piece at a time until you are sure he has eating under control.

Before you start a BARF diet, make sure you consult your veterinarian.  Then, talk to your local butcher about getting the meat you need; there may be a huge discount involved.  Even though feeding your pet raw meat is fairly easy, you still need to practice health and safety precautions:  always wash your hands and disinfect any surfaces that may have come in contact with the food.  In the beginning, make sure your dog isn’t inhaling his food, but rest assured knowing that the uncooked bone is slowing him down!