The All-Natural Raw BARF Diet for Pets

A Look at How to Serve the Bones and Raw Food Diet to Dogs

Sep 13, 2008

Pedigree's recall is the latest in a long series of dog food recalls. The BARF Diet is a natural raw dog food alternative. Buy pre-made or cook your own dog food.

Despite its rather unusual name, the BARF Diet is a favorite among pet owners who are looking for a natural, preservative-free dog food diet. This raw food is available pre-made, but many pet owners opt create their own customized pet food based on the BARF Diet's philosophy.

There are a handful of companies that make BARF-approved food that’s preservative and additive free. Pet owners can also opt to create their own homemade BARF diet. Serving a home cooked dog food takes some extra time, knowledge and a strong sense of dedication to a pet’s healthy future, but the benefits to a dog’s health are many.

What is the BARF Diet?

Created by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst, the Bones and Raw Food (BARF) Diet provides pet owners with a healthy alternative to commerical dog foods.

The BARF Diet is based on a raw foodist philosophy that contends that much of a food’s nutrients and vitamins are lost during the cooking process. Therefore, to avoid a loss of nutritional value, the food is served raw. Bones (frequently ground) are also a part of this diet, as they contain vital nutrients that are essential to a pet’s health.

Meats, vegetables, fruits, bones and offal are the staples of this and most other raw food diets for dogs. The BARF Diet departs from the traditional pet food staple – grains – which hold little nutritional value for the dog. Commercial pet foods usually use grains as “filler” and in addition, grains are difficult for the dog’s body to process. In nature, canines do not eat grains, so the BARF Diet is a return to the dog’s natural dietary roots in this way.

Why Serve a Natural Raw Pet Food?

There are a number of reasons why a pet owner may opt to serve a raw food diet for his dog or cat. The rash of pet food recalls – the latest recall for Pedigree and more than a dozen other cat and dog food brands – is one major reason why many pet owners have made the switch to natural, raw foods for pets.

“Many pet owners also find the BARF Diet helpful for feeding a dog with food allergies and food sensitivities - many of those allergies involve grains. And most owners who switch to natural or home cooked dog food find that their dog’s health improves across the board – more energy, shinier coat and fewer digestive problems,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.

He added, “Other owners favor a natural or home cooked dog food for its lack of additives and preservatives. When you’re serving fresh foods to your pet, there’s no need for artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, preservatives or additives of any kind. You may sacrifice some convenience when you opt to serve the BARF Diet and most other natural homemade dog foods, but these natural dog foods give the owner precise control over what his pet ingests – a trade-off that most dog owners feel is worth the extra money or time spent cooking for a pet.”

Getting Started With a Raw Food Diet for Pets

Pet owners have two basic options if they are interested in serving a raw food diet for a pet. Pre-made raw food is available for purchase from special BARF Diet distributors. Pet owners can also use the BARF Diet as a guide to creating a customized raw food diet.

BarfWorld.com is a front-runner when it comes to providing information on the BARF Diet and philosophy. The site includes information on BARF food distributors, the diet’s foods and their role, along with information on the benefits of raw food. Dog owners can opt to purchase pre-made food from a distributor, or pet owners can utilize BarfWorld.com’s valuable resources to guide them in creating a unique homemade dog food.