Barfers, Natural Feeders

[Toohey]

Many of us have learnt on this forum over the last few years, about how to feed BARF and the benefits it can provide for our dogs.

I have dug up some links and old posts, and was hoping that those who DO feed a natural diet would like to pop in here and talk about their dog's diets - ingredients, supplements used, methods of preparation, recipes, benefits to their dogs etc.

Anyone who is interested in feeding BARF, please feel free to ask questions

thread one

thread two

thread three

thread four

thread five

http://www.barfworld.com/

http://www.rawmeatybones.com/

http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html

http://www.rawdogranch.com/rawmeatybones.htm

[NaturallyWild]

My basic feeding regime is the "whole animal" model - ie rmb's and organs. I do believe that there can be nutrients that are missing or low in many of the animals we farm for food due to those nutrients lacking in our Aussie soils as well as limited feed types given to that livestock. Because of this i think it is wise to occasionally add other nutrients as either blended veggies or mineral/vitamin powder (kelp, yeast, lecthin etc). If there are times of stress or illness then these are definitely added.

I also regularly add fish oils when fish is not a part of the diet, garlic, vitC and some other various herbs (for worming and parasite protection). Although i think that these are not necessary for a dog that is eating raw whole animals (as they are less appealing to the pests), i do add them as a saftey net just incase they become run down from any stress and it won't do them any harm.

I started feeding like this when my puppy at the time had salmonella and the constant "squirts". The vets gave various medicines and their prescription diets without any help. The moment i made the complete change to raw/barf he came good. I originally used to use minced meat and mix with oats, veggies and mineral/vitamin mix, but it was too much work and with further knowledge realised the whole animal was all that was really needed. I occasionally do a mix like this to store in the freezer as an emergency but rarely now.

Oh - i also give some left over scraps of "human" meals.

Edited August 31, 2007 by NaturallyWild