Dog Guide For Dog Lovers! Guide for all breeds of dogs, health and training information. From Dog Breeds to Picking a Puppy. Everything for the dog fancier's needs! Working Dogs, Toy Dogs, Herding Dogs, Sporting Dogs, Non Sporting Dogs, Terrier Dogs, Hound Dogs. See All Dog Breeds. Dog Articles.
Dogs

BARF and Raw Food for Dogs

Excerpt : Holistic Nutrition - The BARF Raw Food Diet A critique by John Burns BVMS MRCVS The BARF ("Bones and Raw Food" or "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food") diet is a system of holistic nutrition which


Holistic Nutrition - The BARF Raw Food Diet

A critique by John Burns BVMS MRCVS

The BARF ("Bones and Raw Food" or "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food") diet is a system of holistic nutrition which is championed by Dr Ian Billinghurst who is an Australian vet. Dr. Billinghurst has published several books on health and nutrition. The best known of these is called "Give Your Dog a Bone". The BARF Evolutionary philosophy is at first glance an attractive one; it seems to be truly natural because it tries to emulate the lifestyle of the dog in the wild.

But, after due consideration I am of the opinion that the BARF theory, like the emperor's new clothes, does not stand up to critical inspection.

The BARF or "Evolutionary" Diet is based on the principle

Chihuahua, Retro
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : Can Cat Lovers Ever Love Dogs?
People often define themselves as either a cat lover or a dog lover, but the question remains can a cat lover ever love dogs? Or, dog lovers ever...read more

Kids and Dogs Safety Tip Sheet
from David the Dogman Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to...read more

that domestic dogs should be fed on a diet which replicates as closely as possible the diet of the wild dog. According to Dr Billinghurst domestic dogs have been fed on processed (cooked) foods for only approximately 70 years and this is not a long enough time to adapt to cooked foods.

To replicate the diet of the wild dog he recommends that all carbohydrate should be avoided and pet dogs and cats should be fed on a diet based on raw meaty bones and raw vegetables . Dr Billinghurst insists that because of this evolutionary history the BARF DIET is the ONLY correct way to feed the modern domestic pet dog.

The problem with the evolutionary argument is that domestic dogs bear little relationship to the original wild dog. Very early in their association it is likely that
Hot Dog
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com


Also see : Arthritis Pain Relief For Dogs – Simple Home Remedies That Work
Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs over the age of seven? It is a painful condition that affects the joints and can occur in your...read more

Dogs - Understanding The Chihuahua Breed
The Chihuahua breed of dog makes a great pet! They are the smallest and longest lived breed. With few health issues, they are easy to care for and...read more

man selected and bred those animals which suited his purpose e.g. guarding, hunting, more docile, less independent - even better suited to the food provided by man.

There are practical reasons why the diet of the wild dog is not automatically suitable for the domestic dog. The modern dog and its lifestyle bear no similarity whatever to the wild dog. We provide shelter in heated houses, they do not have to forage or compete for food, they eat every day, and they have little exercise compared to a wild dog.

Many dogs have dietary sensitivity which means that they need a highly digestible diet, low in protein and low in fat. I can't see how that could be achieved with a BARF diet.

Modern farm livestock is reared in such a way that the fat content, even in
Hopeless Romeo
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com


Also see : Training Dogs the Lazy Way
Have you ever found it difficult to get your dog to do as it is told? Well, today we're going to show you how to train him the lazy way, and get...read more

Dogs - The Best Tracking Systems
Tips on Choosing the Best Dog Tracking System Dogs are man's best friend, and this is not an understatement. This is because man and dogs find...read more

"lean" meat is very high. So a diet high in meat will inevitably be high in fat too.

The Carbohydrate Question

According to Dr Billinghurst dogs cannot digest carbohydrate. In reality, the dog has very sophisticated, sensitive and efficient mechanisms for breaking down carbohydrate and ensuring its absorption. This could not have evolved if carbohydrate was detrimental.

But, according to BARF, carbohydrate causes so many health problems e.g. inflammatory disease such as pancreatitis. While it is true that low-quality or refined carbohydrate may be undesirable, my experience is that I have had excellent results in treating and preventing inflammatory disease using both home cooked and commercial diets which are based on whole grains i.e. high in carbohydrate.
Labrador
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com

Also see : Names for Dogs
Naming the family puppy can be a difficult task. There are many resources to help out with ideas and brainstorming, but in the end, a name that...read more

Can You Handle These Four Common Skin Problems In Dogs?
Dogs are susceptible to various skin problems -- which can be frustrating for owners who want to see Fido comfortable and happy. Does your dog have a...read more



On a simple level what vet has not recommended chicken and rice to treat gastro-intestinal disease?

There are other major flaws with the BARF philosophy. One which flies in the face of the facts is the assertion that raw food is more digestible and that cooking destroys that digestibility. Simple common sense and experience tell us that cooking actually increases digestibility. Increasing the digestibility of the food is an important way of treating bowel disease and problems of malabsorption. Cooking does this.

I suspect that any success claimed for the Raw Food system is due to a much more mundane explanation than its grandiose but erroneous philosophy. This is that any benefits are due to the avoidance of ingredients which cause dietary intolerance.
Close-Up of Dog
Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : Ten Commandments Camping With Dogs
In the U.S. alone, more than 30 million people each year take their pets with them while camping. Yet, when we first started RVing with our dogs,...read more

The Flea Allergy In Dogs And Cats
Dogs and cats can suffer allergies due to the presence of fleas. The identified cause is the saliva of the fleas, especially when the flea has...read more

My main criticism of the BARF philosophy is its self-righteousness.

BARFism puts forward a flawed theory with a certainty which bears comparison to religious fundamentalism; it brooks no dissent. It advocates a system which is impractical and does not fit well into the lifestyle of present society, denying the possibility of alternatives, thereby condemning those pet owners, the majority, to feelings of inadequacy for failure to follow its teachings. see http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk



About the author:

Veterinary Surgeon and CEO of Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd, producers of Burns Real Food for Dogs and Cats. http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk


More Dogs Articles



Dogs During Labor
Breeding dogs is an exciting experience. From the time a proper mate is found to the point that the puppies are born, it is crucial to take careful...

Kids and Dogs Safety Tip Sheet
from David the Dogman Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to...

Google

Dog with Cat and Yarn
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com


For Dog Lovers Like You and Me | sitemap
Partners : WoW Gold | Myspace Images | Free Online Greeting Cards : Meme4u | Broadband | Debt Consolidation

copyright www.knowaboutdogs.com 2006

Recently Added Dogs Articles


Iron deficiency in dogs and cats
We have recently seen a number of cases of iron deficiency anaemia, both in cats and dogs. In iron deficiency, red cells do not develop the normal...read more

Heartworms in Dogs
The heartworm ( Dirofilaria immitis ) is a deadly parasite that is carried by mosquitoes. The highest infection rates are in areas within 150 miles...read more

Dogs - Tips For Finding The Right Food
TIPS FOR BUYING DOG FOOD It is not enough for dogs to have a full stomach after every meal. Besides a non-sedentary lifestyle, pets need...read more

Dogs Differences Between Breeds
The Naming Game If "fashionistas" are obsessed with brand names, some dog lovers are hooked on dog breeds. This is because purebred dogs...read more

Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats
All consumed food is eventually converted to sugar, the energy source for every organ in the body and for every cell in every organ. If too much...read more

Dogs - Things To Know Before Breeding
Dogs during Labor Breeding dogs is an exciting experience. From the time a proper mate is found to the point that the puppies are born, it...read more

Weight Problems In Dogs: Is Your Dog Fat?
People may not be aware of this, but obesity is one of the greatest problems dogs are dealing with these days. Obesity, like humans, is also...read more

House Training Dogs Successfully
You could House train your dog easily if you had the time to watch your puppy 24 hours a day. But as you can’t watch them around the clock, don’t...read more

Raw Meat – Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis in Dogs
Feeding raw meat and its hazards Toxoplasmosis Up until several years ago Neosporosis was misdiagnosed as...read more

Shelter Dogs - Will You Adopt One As Your Next Pet?
How will you choose your next family dog? Perhaps look in the newspaper for advertisements from breeders who are selling new puppies, or find...read more

Some News About Dogs