| BARF diet: (Bones and Raw Food) |
| The Health and Nutrition of our dogs, is very important to us. So we go out and try to buy the BEST kibble, the BEST grooming supplies, the BEST on the market. But what if what's the "best" out there on the market, isn't really the best? What if, there was something we could find right in our kitchen that's much better? What if, this thing was called BARF? Bones and Raw Food to be exact. If our little Fido lived in the wild, this is what he'd be eating in fact. Our dogs, when they lived in the wild, they didn't go down to the Food Market, and buy some Dog Chow now did they? Nope, they did it all Mother Nature way; they caught their food. They did NOT roast their food over a fire either. They ate all their food raw. So why should we change this all of a sudden? Who are we to play God? In fact, cooking food depletes the natural nutrition in it. Most of the minerals, and vitamins, are taken away during cooking. I feed my Hazel the BARF diet. I am a new BARFer, but I have learned quit a bit, and decided to share it with you all! A dog's natural nutrition consists of Raw Meaty Bones (RMB), and Raw Vegetables. For Hazel, I feed her already packaged bags of food, with a chicken backs and/or necks. Each morning I give Hazel a bag of her "Meat - Veggie Mix" and one Chicken leg. She also gets a soup bone to snack on. Once she has finished that, I will give her another one. BARFing is not hard, but it is also not easy. Costs all depend on where you get your supplies. The vitamins are expensive, but we always keep our cupboards stocked full, and rarely have to go to the store for more. Buying in Bulk is always best! As for the meat, most of it is just scraps from the butcher you can get at a good price, stuff they would normally throw away! Such as chicken backs and necks. You can feed your dog just about anything actually. Even bunnies! :-| The veggies we give Hazel, is usually from the garden, or left overs from salads, and such. Her frozen food lasts her about a week, up to a week and a half before I have to make more, and I always take more out the night before. For more information on BARF, check out the message boards at Sit Stay, and I suggest getting the book "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" by Kymythy R. Shultze, C.C.N.,A.H.I. This book can also be found at Sit Stay. When I talk about feeding my dog Chicken bones, most people faint! They exclaim "DON'T FEED YOUR DOG CHICKEN BONES!" but then I have to explain to them that the rule should be changed to "Don't feed your dog COOKED chicken bones". Cooking makes the bones brittle, and they splint easily. NEVER FEED YOUR DOG COOKED CHICKEN BONES! In fact, for most dogs on the BARF diet consume as their primary source of RMB's (Raw Meaty Bones) is chicken backs, necks, and other parts. You can feed your dog just about anything for their RMB. Hazel gets chicken backs and necks, and a soup bone once in a while. Most of the information needed for starting your dog on the BARF diet, can be found in the book I recommended earlier. Do NOT feed unless you have done your research. Some links are provided bellow, Great search engines you can try as well are listed bellow. Do NOT feed the diet unless you feel completely comfortable, and have reasonable sources. I also suggest talking to your vet about it first. A lot of vets are out there who don't recommend it, I'm still shaking to tell mine. :-| I know I know, BAD SHARA! lol, but I know my vet, and he probably won't approve, so I'm getting info together for him, and saving my money (which I've finally gotten enough) and I'm going to make an appointment for Hazel soon, and get her a check up, and talk to him about it... Wish me Luck! (Most of these links were provided by Mandi (Agility Bound Canines) Riveriene Farms Top 50 most FAQ about BARF |
| Click here for how to Make Hazel's Veggie & Meat Mix! (WARNING: This page contants photos that some viewers may not be able to tollerate) |
 |
 |