What is Really Going Into Your Doggies Dish?
In the year 2007 there was a massive pet food recall which had millions of owners worried they had poisoned their beloved pets. Those of you who survived that scare have naturally been more careful of what goes into doggies dish. One of the best and easiest ways to determine what Fido is eating is to prepare the food fresh at home. While time consuming, and at times frustrating, this method of feeding your animal can relieve many fears and allow improvement of your pets health.
This option of home prepared food has become more and more popular over the last few years as it allows the owner direct choice of what goes into the dog dish. Feeding the dog homemade food, however, does not mean allowing him or her to dive into the families dinner leftovers. It does mean you need to research for the proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats and finding this balance in foods that will allow for ease of digestion. One of the best known methods of food preparation for the canines is the BARF diet.
The unattractive word BARF stands for more than a pile or regurgitated food products, the most oft used explanation of the letters is the Bones And Raw Food diet. Another definition floating around the internet is Biologically Appropriate Raw Food which is attributed to one of the originators of the BARF diet.
While the BARF diet is suitable for many dogs it takes quite a bit of time and dedication on the part of the owner. BARF is about feeding a biologically appropriate diet for the dog that is generally made from raw whole foods that was eaten by the dogs ancestors. This would include muscle meat, bone, fat, organ meat, vegetable materials and any other foods that may mimic what the wild ancestors consumed. These foods are generally served raw with some of the meat products cooked to allow easier digestion.
If you are comforted by knowing exactly what and where the food comes from the diet may fit you very well. However with the involved time of preparation and research for acquisition of the food the BARF diet is not always the best method of feeding your animal. Each dog owner needs to weigh the benefits of the diet versus involvement of feeding just as they would for themselves.
This option of home prepared food has become more and more popular over the last few years as it allows the owner direct choice of what goes into the dog dish. Feeding the dog homemade food, however, does not mean allowing him or her to dive into the families dinner leftovers. It does mean you need to research for the proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats and finding this balance in foods that will allow for ease of digestion. One of the best known methods of food preparation for the canines is the BARF diet.
The unattractive word BARF stands for more than a pile or regurgitated food products, the most oft used explanation of the letters is the Bones And Raw Food diet. Another definition floating around the internet is Biologically Appropriate Raw Food which is attributed to one of the originators of the BARF diet.
While the BARF diet is suitable for many dogs it takes quite a bit of time and dedication on the part of the owner. BARF is about feeding a biologically appropriate diet for the dog that is generally made from raw whole foods that was eaten by the dogs ancestors. This would include muscle meat, bone, fat, organ meat, vegetable materials and any other foods that may mimic what the wild ancestors consumed. These foods are generally served raw with some of the meat products cooked to allow easier digestion.
If you are comforted by knowing exactly what and where the food comes from the diet may fit you very well. However with the involved time of preparation and research for acquisition of the food the BARF diet is not always the best method of feeding your animal. Each dog owner needs to weigh the benefits of the diet versus involvement of feeding just as they would for themselves.
You Want To Make Me Start Eating What???
BARF or a Healthy BARK
Feeding Your Dog the BARF Diet May Best
We now know a bit of what the BARF diet is all about. And once you get past the unappealing name you may find it is just what is needed for maximum health and longevity of your pet. The BARF diet is formulated to closely resemble the probable diet of the dog/wolf/or coyote in the wild where food is fresh, and possibly freshly killed.Primarily this food is served in the natural state. That is RAW. While the meats are commonly partially cooked the vegetables should be introduced in the raw state. If your dog has been fed on home prepared meal prior to this (totally cooked) you may need to slowly introduce the raw variety into the food. And if you have an older animal or one with a compromised digestive or immune system you may find it necessary to cook the whole meal.
Further research will tweak your preparation of the diet but we know that fats, proteins and carbohydrates are still necessary. As you move your dog from commercial food to the BARF diet the pet may experience physical and emotional difficulties in the switch. Dogs like comfort food just as do humans and if you switch the diet gradually you will experience fewer bad incidences at meal time.
While we see our dogs as hardy creatures and are amazed or amused at what the sometimes consume it is necessary to recognize the animals digestive system is very sensitive. Again, a gradual change to another diet will alleviate many of the problems which may occur.
Slowly switching your animals diet will forestall a number of symptoms. Especially if your animal is older or has been ill. You really do not want to induce stomach cramps, excess gas, heartburn, vomiting or diarrhea. If the switch does induce any of these then you should revert to the old food while the dog adjusts. If the symptoms cannot be alleviated it may be necessary to contact a veterinarian to assist in the change. If your dogs improved health is what you are seeking it absolutely makes no sense to subject them to suffering in the transition.
Gradual methods of introducing the diet change can be done in a couple of ways. You will need to experiment if you have problems with any of these methods in order to keep you and your dog happy in the search for health!
First method is simple. Feed one meal of the old diet and then substitute the new food in the second feeding.
Second method would be to mix the old and new diets together in increasing/decreasing amounts. Begin with 75% old diet mixed with %25 of new and gradually change the consistency until you are totally feeding the BARF diet.
If you find the animal reacting adversely to the menu change experimentation and adaptation will be necessary for the health of the dog. The object is to help your pet into a healthier lifestyle so it would make little sense to endanger his life with the change.
Overweight Dogs Are Overweight Dogs
Fat is Fat and Nothing is Going To Change That
You may want to ignore it but if your dog is fat you are cheating him out of living the best possible life. Another reason to introduce the BARF diet is to withhold the bad fats and over-sufficient calories of commercially prepared foods.Bottom line is that if your dog is overweight then he is consuming more calories than he is burning through activity. Only two ways to change this. Either you must reduce the calories or you must increase the a>. And most trainers will probably tell you the proper way is to reduce calories AND increase activity. Just imagine, longer walks with your puppy probably will not hurt your waist line either??
With the BARF diet you can also change the type of snacks consumed by good old Buster. You can always make the classic excuse that "Buster just won't shut up unless I give him a cookie" all you want but you are in control of the diet. He will, of course, eat each and every cookie you throw to him. He does not have a diet problem--you do.
If you check the ingredients of the majority of the commercial "cookies" they are loaded with calories and injected with scientifically prepared flavors. While this is good for the dogs comfort level it is horrible for his waist line.
Time for the BARF to show up again. Learn to prepare snacks that would be in the diet. Many dogs are very comfortable chewing on a raw carrot or other hard vegetable. One of the main reasons for the snack is to satisfy the desire to chew and gnaw something. If you you are giving bones then choose the large "knuckle" bones that are found at the end of joint bones. Leave a bit of meat and gristle on it and you will have one happier dog.
So, in what would seem to be a conclusion, if you are after a healthier animal to share you life it is time for you to help him into it. Learn to feed the animal better, give more chance for games of fetch and other vigorous activities and be sure to give plenty of nutritious treats to satisfy the desire to gnaw. Outcome will be a better life for both of you and one that will be shared happily!!
All Right--Just Which One Is It??
Is it easier to purchase cheap smelly commercial food for your dog or should you learn to create his diet at home?
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by glchandler
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