The Raw Food Diet for Dogs

The Raw Food Diet for Dogs

WebMD- The raw food diet is a popular but controversial trend on the rise. It consists of raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables that racing greyhounds and sled dogs have long eaten. These practices have been passed on to our family pets, the idea was proposed in 1993 by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst. He called his feeding suggestions the BARF diet, an acronym that stands for Bones and Raw Food, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

He suggested that adult dogs would thrive on an evolutionary diet based on what canines ate before they became domesticated: Raw, meaty bones and vegetable scraps. There are those that would disagree, with Billinghurst, which include other vets and the FDA. The risks and benefits have been documented in several studies published in veterinary journals.

Potential benefits of the raw dog food diet that supporters tout include:

• Shinier coats
• Healthier skin
• Cleaner teeth
• Higher energy levels
• Smaller stools

Potential risks include:

• Threats to human and dog health from bacteria in raw meat
• An unbalanced diet that may damage the health of dogs if given for an extended period
• Potential for whole bones to choke an animal, break teeth or cause an internal puncture

Interest from pet owners continues to grow, with the widespread recall of melamine-contaminated pet food in 2007 bringing in new followers. Since Billinghurst’s book, Give Your Dog a Bone, was published, several other types of raw dog food diets have emerged. You can find commercially processed raw food diets at the grocery store.

Diamonds in the Ruff

At Diamonds in the Ruff, you can expect that we will feed your pets top quality food and care. Come by and see us or visit us at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com for all your pet grooming in Abilene.