There is SO much information out there about the RAW/BARF diet. There are many different
opinions and various ways to feed this diet. This page is going to include my own personal experience
and my own personal opinions. You should do your own research (I will provide many links for that)
and come up with your own opinion of course. Every dog is different and every dog will respond
differently to a RAW diet. I am here to show you how easy (and fun!) it can be, and the wonderful
benefits you may see in your dog.
~Frequently Asked Questions~
Is raw meat safe to feed my dog?
Absolutely!! You are probably thinking raw meat has bacteria, how is that safe? Well the fact is,
bacteria is everywhere. But dogs have an immune system created to eat all that bacteria. A healthy
dog being fed a raw diet will have no problem digesting raw meat, bacteria and all.
You should always wash your hands after feeding raw, and thoroughly clean out their food bowl.
I recommend using the Clorox Anywhere Spray. I love this stuff!
Aren't chicken bones dangerous?
Absolutely not. That is a big myth. Chicken bones are soft enough that they break easily for the dog
to chew and digest. Yes they could choke but it is almost unheard of if fed correctly.
Don't they need supplements?
My dogs are supplemented with fish oil (sardine or salmon) and raw eggs. Riley gets a seaweed
meal supplement to help him with his allergies. Seaweed helps the dog to properly digest all the
nutrients. Other than that, dogs get all the vitamins and minerals they need in raw meat and vegetables.
Can I feed pre-packaged RAW diets?
There are companies that will make and prepackage the RAW diet for you. Such as Bravo, Natures Variety,
Oma's Pride, etc. These are good bases for your raw diet. I use Bravo as a base, but the main part of my dogs
diet comes from shanks, whole meats, bones, etc.
What kind of meat should I feed?
Anything! Chicken, beef, pork, turkey, lamb, venison, goat, quail, game hen, duck, pheasant, buffalo, salmon.
There are endless possibilities.
Keep in mind pork and duck are fatty, so if your dog is heavy you should avoid them.
Where do I get the meat? Is it cheap?
Your local grocery store and butcher. I personally like going to Sams and stocking up on whole chickens
and other meat. Most of it is $1.00 or less a pound!! I make meals in freezer bags for the month. Don't be
afraid to ask your butcher for left over bones, meat, and organs. They will usually give it to you for free or
very cheap. Check your newspaper for sales on meat and bones. Soup bones are great too.
What are the benefits to feeding a RAW diet?
There are so many benefits. As I said before, each dog will show different reactions to this diet. But in general
you will find:
~Less poop that is small and doesn't smell. It will turn white and decompose in only a couple days.
~Clean, white, healthy teeth!
~A soft, shiny coat.
~Your dog won't have that "doggy odor".
~A much healthier dog, which means less vet bills!
~If your dog has allergies, a RAW diet will greatly help, and sometimes eliminate, those allergies.
~Arthritis getting better and sometimes completely clearing up.
~Better weight control.
~Living longer, healthier lives.
I'm sure you have many more questions, and that is GOOD! Do some more research and reading. You will find
various answers and opinions, you need to decide what is best for YOUR dog!
I like to get whole chickens, take my wonderful Cutco knives and chop them into quarters, and there is 4 meals!
When beef steaks are on sale I stock up on those. And don't forget to feed organs!!! Livers and hearts are great, and
very cheap. Beef Tripe is another great source of nutrition for your dog. This is the only thing I will tell you NOT to
buy in the grocery store. BRAVO makes a wonderful beef tripe. Be aware though, it smells!
Here are some great links for you to do some more reading and learning: