B.A.R.F diet

Silver_Moon_32 · July 2012

B.A.R.F = Bones and Raw Food I'm thinking about putting my pitbully Kujo on an all-raw bones and meat/organ diet. I've done my research and have all the "scientific" info I need. However, I wanted to see if anyone else on here feeds their dog raw, or knows of someone who does? I'm just looking for personal experiences and thoughts on the subject before I jump into it. Anything at all?

Para Darkwater · July 2012

I don't feed BARF yet but would like to in the future. I'm part of a husky owners forum and a big chunk of people there feed their huskies BARF and love it. It is a great diet and really good for their skin and coats. All the people I talk to who feed BARF have only good things to say about it. Once I am able to get a large deep freeze I'm wanting to stock up on bones and meat so I can switch all my dogs over to BARF.

Silver_Moon_32 · July 2012

It would be great to have another bully owner to experience the raw-feeding-process with. XD Every person I know has only good things to say as well. However, i've also been reading about owners who claim that raw feeding ruined or hurt their pets. I guess this is a sort of thing that you can't really be sure about until you try it. I just fed my boy his first raw meal consisting of two large, raw chicken thighs. It was more of a snack to him. -_- He absolutely loved it though. I was worried he would reject the meat because a lot of dogs refuse to touch raw chicken, but Kujo tore it up and broke down the bones easily, with his tail wagging the whole time. Once he was done he searched desperately for more. XD The only problem so far is that his muzzle is white, so when he eats the blood of the meat stains and makes him look like some sort of savage, bloody beast that just killed something. O.O Thanks Para!

Para Darkwater · July 2012

The things you read where people said it hurt or ruined their pet, how did it bother them? I've fed my boys raw chicken before but not as a consistent diet but when I am able I am going to totally switch to raw. All my boys love eating raw meat when I have the chance to give it to them. The only thing I've been told is not to mix raw and kibble in the same feeding. Its ok to feed both raw and kibble just not together. Some will feed kibble in the morning and raw at night or vice versa. The reason they say not to mix it in one meal is raw meat and kibble has different digestion rates and when mixed can lead to an upset tummy. If you want more personal experience with feeding raw you could sign up on the husky forum, while it is for husky owners you don't have to own one to be accepted. They love all dogs there and there are tons of threads about raw and they can give you better feedback since they actually feed it. If you want the link just PM me and I'll give it to you.

Minx · July 2012

That just seems very expensive to me O-o how do you keep it cost effective?

Para Darkwater · July 2012

A lot of the people I know will get organ meat or find chicken quarters and such on sale or buy in bulk and freeze it in a deep freeze. That way you can stock up and they say if you catch the right deals can be cheaper than buying a quality kibble.

Silver_Moon_32 · July 2012

A raw feeder that's been practicing the BARF diet for over 15 years has suggested NEVER feeding kibble. And I'm planning on listening to him, his dogs are some of the best i've ever seen. Unfortunately not everyone can just go off of kibble completely. AND not everyone believes it is best, I think it makes sense though. The people who claimed their dogs were hurt by a raw diet say it messed with their dog's stomachs. That's about it. Cost wise, this months raw stock cost me $100 even. That's only because I got some GREAT deals. I'm planning on visiting local butchers to see what deals I can get on FRESH, local raw meat. It really just depends on who you know and what you can get. One other raw feeder I know pays $250 a month for his dog, and that to me is just ridiculous. I don't even spend that much on me. By feeding my boy raw I will be spending $50 MORE every month... but the fact that his coat will be gorgeous, his eyes clear, his ears less damaged, his skin less itchy, his over all health much better and his vet bills almost non-existent is worth the extra money spent. : )

Para Darkwater · July 2012

I've seen threads on the husky forum where people talk about how the switched from feeding kibble to raw. I think they did it slowly until they were totally off the kibble. I'm not 100% sure but I would think switching from kibble directly to raw all at once may bug their tummy for a while until they get use to the switch, just like switching kibble brands can do. $100 to me for a month's worth of raw isn't bad at all and if you can find local butchers you may be able to get an even better deal. I've heard liver is really good to add to a raw diet. A lot of bully breeds are prone to skin problems and feeding raw helps prevent this and you don't have to worry about any grain allergies that a lot of dogs have.

Silver_Moon_32 · July 2012

That's exactly what I thought too, Para. I was slowly going to work on getting Kujo off of the machine produced crap that is his dog food, until I met John. Who, through his collected data and proof, convinced me that kibble shouldn't be put into my dog's body in the first place. Besides, after feeding my Kujo that raw chicken he refuses to even come upstairs so I can serve him his dry, boring kibble. XD He knows that if he rejects the kibble he'll get the meat. We'll see what happens. I'll keep you updated on how he handles the switch. He's always had an unusually strong stomach though, so he isn't a very good example unless your dog also has a tummy made of steel. XD Every person I mentioned this to has said $100 is an amazing deal as well. Im hoping I can cut that price in half though. XD Don't know where im going to find someone selling quality bulks of fresh meat for fifty bucks, but I sure as hell will try!! Liver as well as the heart and tongue are great. But green tripe is a must. As soon as I can get some, green tripe will be added into every one of my dog's meals for perfect digestion and other health perks.

Para Darkwater · July 2012

I've dramatically switched Koopa's diet before and his tummy can handle it just fine. The trouble I have with Koopa is skin allergies and switching food can aggravate this. That's one of the biggest reasons I want to switch to raw, I'm almost positive it will end his skin issues all together. I just have 3 dogs to feed vs 1 lol so not sure how much raw would cost me for all 3 O.o I honestly think Kujo will be fine just switching straight to raw. I've also heard raw is good for their joints as they age.

Cherokeezbaby · July 2012

We do the B.A.R.F diet with our Pits and Bullies and it is amazing. They have amazing coats and are more active since we switched them.

Silver_Moon_32 · July 2012

@Para - I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how Kujo's raw diet will effect him in the later years. Kujo is 110 pounds, so he'll be eating about 4.5 pounds of meat a day. I don't believe your dogs weigh that much, so the amount should be significantly less depending on what percent of their body weight you choose to feed. If im correct you have two big boys and one little one? You absolutely -must- keep me updated if you decide to feed your smallest guy raw. @Cherokeez - The guy that I get most of my advice from owns game bred and raw fed American Pitbulls, and they are just amazing. I've never seen such gorgeous bullys. He's the reason why I started looking into the BARF diet in the first place. I want my Kujo to have that silky soft coat but keep his monster muscles, the raw diet is supposedly best to achieve that. However, I really dont need him to be anymore active then he already is! Thanks for the input!

Para Darkwater · July 2012

Koopa is my biggest boy weighing in at approx 80 pounds, Kuma my husky is approx 45 pounds and Tenchi the pekingese is approx 16 pounds. I will have to do more research into raw before I start and figure out how much they would need per dog per day. Kuma wouldn't need a lot because huskies are thrifty eaters to begin with.

Adrianna32 · July 2012

O.o WOO HOO!! Finally taking my advice and putting your little guy on BARF huh? xD I can give you all the personal experience stories you want, all 12 of my competitors are on raw and have been since they were babies. : )

Silver_Moon_32 · July 2012

@Para, So, as the general "2% of the dogs weight" feeding rule, Kuma and Tenchi would both only need 2 pounds or even less then that a day, while Koopa would need around 3 pounds. That's a general estimate assuming that you feed your dogs twice a day, and not three times. It's all rather complicated and really does depend on the dog itself, but I love discussing this stuff. XD Thank you for indulging me. @Zynneh, You are the only one I know that can refer to Kujo as a little guy, because you own dogs that are 3 times his size!! Yes, I'm finally going to listen to you. We must start creating new meal plans together! XD I know i know, youve been feeding raw for years... dont need to brag!

Para Darkwater · July 2012

you're welcome, I also enjoy talking about these topics and almost anything dog related lol. You most likely knows more about feeding raw than me since I haven't fully looked into it yet. Just picked up tid bits through the other forum. One reason a lot of husky owners feed raw is because huskies are prone to ZRD which is a zinc deficiency that causes hair loss, usually around the face. The cure is rather easy, just feed raw or supplement their diet with liver. I know all 3 of my boys would enjoy raw, its just a matter of funds. Once I can better afford it and again get a deep freeze I'll be switching to raw and stocking up. I'm wanting to find a butcher near buy so i can get raw beef bones. Right now all that's really available are the commercial roasted bones which can splinter and cause damage >_<

Kazuko · July 2012

A good friend of mine (a dog trainer as well) has been feeding both of her standard poodles raw. She says it's way cheaper, especially if you find a friendly farmer's market butcher. I'd be doing it as well, except my dog gets -extremely- aggressive over bones, so that's out. EDIT: If you want, PM me any questions you have and I can forward them to my friend

Cherokeezbaby · July 2012

You can also PM me about it since we both have Pitbulls. I do not mined answering questions on it.

Silver_Moon_32 · July 2012

@Para, let me know when you eventually do start stocking up! Kujo has had some skin problems as well, we aren't knew to that and im really hoping feeding him raw will get rid of his problems once and for all. I'm going to join the forums you mentioned if ya don't mind pming me a link. XD My boy loves raw beef bones, I cant stand the sound of him snapping it up and crunching the pieces though.. it sounds like he's breaking teeth! Thank you, you two. But if I'm correct Zynny owns game Pitbulls and some pretty huge Mastiffs that have been eating raw their entire lives, so when it comes to questions i have already been bothering her, since we bother each other all day anyway. And i wouldn't want you guys going through that much trouble just to answer a question I have. XD We should ALL make meal plans together!! lol

Kaz, if you fed them seperately that would eliminate the problem wouldn't it?

Cherokeezbaby · July 2012

That is fine I understand (:

Kazuko · July 2012

If we so much as look at her with a bone, she gets extremely snarly and protective, and we don't want to encourage that behavior, y'know? So we just feed her the highest quality dog food we can find >>

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B.A.R.F diet

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