The Royal BARF Diet
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Having witnessed the health promoting benefits of an evolutionary diet, I had no option but to share this information with new puppy owners.
The philosophy behind using BARF, or the hypothesis on which it is based, is that the diet a dog evolved to eat - over many millions of years of evolution - is the best way to feed it. This is the hypothesis accepted by most modern zoos or any zoologist concerned with preserving a species of endangered animal. It is not the theory endorsed by pet food companies or the people they train - and that includes unfortunately - most vets.
Zoologist will tell you that in the wild:
Coyotes are omnivores. They eat rabbits, mice, squirrels, fish, frogs and even deer. They also happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass and carrion.
Wolves, the dog’s closest relative, eat meat almost exclusively and feed on anthing from mice to moose to musk oxen. In the wild, they have been see eating birds and mice, but prefer larger prey such as goats, sheep, and deer.
Even when kept in captivity, coyotes and wolves are kept on a diet consisting mainly of raw meat because it is what their bodies need to thrive.
If you want to feed your dog BARF, it means not feeding your dog cooked and or processed food (but if you are totally against raw meat, cooked meat without bones can be used.) That is, not feeding your dog a diet based on cooked grains, no matter how persuasive the advertising. Artificial grain based dog foods cause innumerable health problems. They are not what your dog was programmed to eat during its long process of evolution. Feeding a raw diet is simple, convenient, and less expensive that you would ever believe possible because your dog does not need nearly as much raw food as you would think (about 4 ounces of meat a day for a 12 -14 pound Miniature Schnauzer—that’s the amount of meat found on a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder).
The BARF diet, being an attempt to mimic the evolutionary diet of dogs, must, from a practical point of view, use food that is available from the local supermarket or whatever local or distant source is economically viable. BARF feeders do not have to go hunting or send their dogs out to hunt. That is why BARF must mimic, not duplicate the evolutionary diet of dogs. This is an important distinction.
One controversial aspect of the BARF dog diet is the use of whole, raw, meaty bones as food for our dogs. I have fed my own dogs with these bones for years. For most dogs, whole raw meaty bones do not constitute a danger. They simply and easily promote positive good health being a biologically appropriate food for our dogs. However, where there is a perceived danger, do not stop feeding bones. In these cases, simply use bones that have been finely ground or use bones from a non-weight bearing part of the animal (no large leg bones).
This brings us to a very practical point. Dog owners who want to feed BARF must find a source of raw meaty bones, offal and vegetables plus whatever supplements are appropriate to balance the diet or treat particular disease problems. (Offal consists of fresh and raw internal organs including liver, kidneys, heart and green tripe.) The good news is that there are commercial foods becoming available that are designed as BARF diets. Watch for these. They will make this whole process much easier. However, even if such foods become available, it is essential that dog owners fully understand what BARF diets are all about. That means learning about BARF!
If you want to learn about a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet then I strongly suggest you get hold of, and read, two books - Give Your Dog a Bone and Grow Your Pups With Bones.
The raw food diet (or BARF diet – Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods) should consist of 75% to 80% meat and 20-25% vegetables and fruit (and fruit is optional).
BARF Diet Ingredients:
How much do I feed my Puppy?
No two dogs are alike in the amount of food they require; dogs typically eat 2% of their body weight, but more active or dogs with a high metabolism may require 3-4%. The guideline for puppies is up to 10% of their body weight. Here is a guideline for your puppy:
For the Mixture below (the Basic Recipe)
A Puppy weighing 2 ½ pounds (average size of my puppies at 8 weeks old) would be fed about 4 ounces which is about the size of a deck of cards.
A puppy/dog weighing 5 pounds would get
2% (average) = 1.6 ounces of the above mixture-about the size of a golf ball
3% (a busy dog) = 2.5 ounces of the above mixture
4% (highly active) = 3.2 ounces –a little smaller than a deck of cards
10% (puppy) = 8 ounces-about the size of the palm of your hand
A dog/puppy weighing 10 pounds gets:
2% (average or lazy dog) = 3 ounces –about ¼ cup
3% (a busy dog) = 5 ounces about the size of a deck of cards
4% (highly active) = 6.5 ounces-about the size of a small chicken breast
10% (puppy) = 16 ounces-about the size of two “Big Mac” patties.
It is a good idea to give the raw diet in the morning (helps to minimize potty training accidents) and some dry, (grain-free) dog food in the evening such as Innova puppy food, Blue Buffalo, Canidae, Nature’s Variety, Natural pet Systems or even Science Diet. You can also be creative and give chunked meat along with a mix of fruit/veggies/yogurt. Change is good to ensure a variety of nutrients.
Does this seem difficult? It really isn’t if you just remember to feed your puppy mostly meat, a little dairy (yogurt/cottage cheese) and throw in some fruits and veggies. Don’t stress too much about making a ‘recipe’ and think more about feeding a meaty diet with healthy food and you’ll be fine and your puppy will be happy.
Other tips to make it easy:
· Make up enough meat patties for a month and freeze them.
· Feed your dog a little bit of whatever you are making for dinner. For example, if you are making spaghetti and meatballs, give your puppy a golf ball size meatball (uncooked) or if you are having chicken, toss your dog a small portion of uncooked, unseasoned chicken or a raw chicken wing.
· Buy beef liver, microwave or boil it. Cut it into portions the size of your thumbnail and use it for doggie treats.
· Buy a bag of chicken wings and feed one per day-raw. Quick. Easy.
The philosophy behind using BARF, or the hypothesis on which it is based, is that the diet a dog evolved to eat - over many millions of years of evolution - is the best way to feed it. This is the hypothesis accepted by most modern zoos or any zoologist concerned with preserving a species of endangered animal. It is not the theory endorsed by pet food companies or the people they train - and that includes unfortunately - most vets.
Zoologist will tell you that in the wild:
Coyotes are omnivores. They eat rabbits, mice, squirrels, fish, frogs and even deer. They also happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass and carrion.
Wolves, the dog’s closest relative, eat meat almost exclusively and feed on anthing from mice to moose to musk oxen. In the wild, they have been see eating birds and mice, but prefer larger prey such as goats, sheep, and deer.
Even when kept in captivity, coyotes and wolves are kept on a diet consisting mainly of raw meat because it is what their bodies need to thrive.
If you want to feed your dog BARF, it means not feeding your dog cooked and or processed food (but if you are totally against raw meat, cooked meat without bones can be used.) That is, not feeding your dog a diet based on cooked grains, no matter how persuasive the advertising. Artificial grain based dog foods cause innumerable health problems. They are not what your dog was programmed to eat during its long process of evolution. Feeding a raw diet is simple, convenient, and less expensive that you would ever believe possible because your dog does not need nearly as much raw food as you would think (about 4 ounces of meat a day for a 12 -14 pound Miniature Schnauzer—that’s the amount of meat found on a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder).
The BARF diet, being an attempt to mimic the evolutionary diet of dogs, must, from a practical point of view, use food that is available from the local supermarket or whatever local or distant source is economically viable. BARF feeders do not have to go hunting or send their dogs out to hunt. That is why BARF must mimic, not duplicate the evolutionary diet of dogs. This is an important distinction.
One controversial aspect of the BARF dog diet is the use of whole, raw, meaty bones as food for our dogs. I have fed my own dogs with these bones for years. For most dogs, whole raw meaty bones do not constitute a danger. They simply and easily promote positive good health being a biologically appropriate food for our dogs. However, where there is a perceived danger, do not stop feeding bones. In these cases, simply use bones that have been finely ground or use bones from a non-weight bearing part of the animal (no large leg bones).
This brings us to a very practical point. Dog owners who want to feed BARF must find a source of raw meaty bones, offal and vegetables plus whatever supplements are appropriate to balance the diet or treat particular disease problems. (Offal consists of fresh and raw internal organs including liver, kidneys, heart and green tripe.) The good news is that there are commercial foods becoming available that are designed as BARF diets. Watch for these. They will make this whole process much easier. However, even if such foods become available, it is essential that dog owners fully understand what BARF diets are all about. That means learning about BARF!
If you want to learn about a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet then I strongly suggest you get hold of, and read, two books - Give Your Dog a Bone and Grow Your Pups With Bones.
The raw food diet (or BARF diet – Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods) should consist of 75% to 80% meat and 20-25% vegetables and fruit (and fruit is optional).
BARF Diet Ingredients:
- Bones – they MUST be raw – cooked/smoked bones are never safe as they will splinter (I buy bones from my supermarket for quite cheap).
- Meat – chunked or ground (beef, lamb, chicken, pork, etc)
- Offal (liver, kidneys, heart,-available at the supermarket-ask the meat counter)
- Vegetables – broccoli, spinach, celery, bok choy, carrot, capsicum, broccoli, cabbage (red and green), collards turnip greens, summer squash (zucchini and crook neck), Chinese cabbage, parsley and kale.
- AVOID grapes, raisins, avocado, onions, green peas, potatoes (except small amounts of yams), asparagus, plums, pineapple, rhubarb, tomato, black cherry, lima beans, and corn and other grains. Grapes, raisins, avocado, and onions are toxic to dogs.
- Fruit – In general, limit fruits to small amounts and use fruits such as cored apples, cored pears, blue berries, honey dew, water melon, cantaloupe, orange sections (no pits), grapefruit sections, and bananas
- Other Goodies - Whole egg, flax seed, garlic, kelp, alfalfa, kefir, ground raw non-irradiated almonds (make sure there is no mold)
- Yogurt and cottage cheese are good to mix with the fruit/veggies to entice the dog to eat them
- Never feed a dog chocolate – it can be fatal in even small amounts.
How much do I feed my Puppy?
No two dogs are alike in the amount of food they require; dogs typically eat 2% of their body weight, but more active or dogs with a high metabolism may require 3-4%. The guideline for puppies is up to 10% of their body weight. Here is a guideline for your puppy:
For the Mixture below (the Basic Recipe)
A Puppy weighing 2 ½ pounds (average size of my puppies at 8 weeks old) would be fed about 4 ounces which is about the size of a deck of cards.
A puppy/dog weighing 5 pounds would get
2% (average) = 1.6 ounces of the above mixture-about the size of a golf ball
3% (a busy dog) = 2.5 ounces of the above mixture
4% (highly active) = 3.2 ounces –a little smaller than a deck of cards
10% (puppy) = 8 ounces-about the size of the palm of your hand
A dog/puppy weighing 10 pounds gets:
2% (average or lazy dog) = 3 ounces –about ¼ cup
3% (a busy dog) = 5 ounces about the size of a deck of cards
4% (highly active) = 6.5 ounces-about the size of a small chicken breast
10% (puppy) = 16 ounces-about the size of two “Big Mac” patties.
It is a good idea to give the raw diet in the morning (helps to minimize potty training accidents) and some dry, (grain-free) dog food in the evening such as Innova puppy food, Blue Buffalo, Canidae, Nature’s Variety, Natural pet Systems or even Science Diet. You can also be creative and give chunked meat along with a mix of fruit/veggies/yogurt. Change is good to ensure a variety of nutrients.
Does this seem difficult? It really isn’t if you just remember to feed your puppy mostly meat, a little dairy (yogurt/cottage cheese) and throw in some fruits and veggies. Don’t stress too much about making a ‘recipe’ and think more about feeding a meaty diet with healthy food and you’ll be fine and your puppy will be happy.
Other tips to make it easy:
· Make up enough meat patties for a month and freeze them.
· Feed your dog a little bit of whatever you are making for dinner. For example, if you are making spaghetti and meatballs, give your puppy a golf ball size meatball (uncooked) or if you are having chicken, toss your dog a small portion of uncooked, unseasoned chicken or a raw chicken wing.
· Buy beef liver, microwave or boil it. Cut it into portions the size of your thumbnail and use it for doggie treats.
· Buy a bag of chicken wings and feed one per day-raw. Quick. Easy.
Your All Natural Royal Puppy Love Cookbook
Basic Recipe-- A good, general Recipe for 4 weeks (28 patties) of raw meat patties for a 12 pound active dog:
- 4 lbs ground meats – beef and/or lamb and/or chicken and/or turkey (breaks down to 2 ounces a day)
- 2 cups raw goat milk or 1 cup yogurt or 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 raw eggs
- 1 apple (cored, no seeds)
- 1 glove garlic (not for cats though)
- 2 carrots
- 1 to 1.5 pound mixed veggies (such as sweet potato, broccoli, zucchini, kale, spinach)
- Mix in food processor and make into patties to freeze.
Fish Patties- costs about $5 to make and takes about 30 minutes if you like to cook.
1 can salmon, deboned
1 beaten egg
3 Tbsp. cornmeal
1 potato
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
Cottage cheese or plain yogurt
Combine salmon, egg, and cornmeal. Form into patties and press into more cornmeal. Sautee in a canola sprayed pan until cooked through. Chop and steam the vegetables. Cut salmon patties into small bites and combine with the vegetables. If the mixture seems too dry, add a bit of cottage cheese or yogurt.
Fish Patties-If you don’t like to cook.
2 cans salmon, tuna, mackerel (any canned fish)
1 can of sliced carrots drained or cooked spinach drained
1 can of sweet potatoes or yams, sliced or whole
1 cup of plain yogurt or cottage cheese
1 raw egg, beaten
Optional: 1 clove of garlic, minced.
Place the vegetables into a food process/blender and process into a mash adding the juice/liquid from the fish, the egg, and the yogurt as needed for processing. Pour the mash into a bowl and mix in the fish. Cover and store in the fridge. You can also fill small jars/cans/bowls and store in the freezer until you need them. Thaw for 24 hours in the fridge before serving.
Doggy Pick Up--This is a recipe to put weight on an adult dog. Do not use this for puppies as they will gain too much weight. This is also good if you have a dog that has been sick and needs to put on a few pounds.
2 pounds of the cheapest, highest fat, ground hamburger meat you can find.
2 cups of Total Cereal
1 cup instant oatmeal
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup molasses
2 eggs-shell and all
1 envelope of unflavored gelatin.
Mix all ingredients together, mash into small hamburger patties and freeze. (I use a blender to pulverize the eggs with the shell, add the other liquids, then pour it all together.)
Makes about 14-20 patties.
Thaw as needed and feed raw!
More Information can be found at:
http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/homemade-dog-food-recipes.html
http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjhomemade2.html
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_7/features/Home-Prepared-Dog-Food-Nutritional-Information_20568-1.html
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/AnimalWellness/SampleRaw.aspx
And here are sources for a Raw Diet if you don't want to make your own:
Darwin's Pet Food: https://www.darwinspet.com/
Nature's Valley Instinct Pet Food: http://www.instinctpetfood.com/
Texas Tripe: https://www.texastripe.com/
The Ancestral Diet: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/dogs/backcountry
Chewy.com carries several different foods: https://www.chewy.com/