Q: Should I feed my pet raw food?

      I heard raw meat diets are good for dogs and cats, do you know if I could or should feed this kind of diet to my pets?

 

 

     Raw diets are great! I've been wanting to transition my own pets to the raw diet also known as B.A.R.F. Sounds gross, but it stands for bones and raw food. Raw diets are the most natural diet simulating a traditional diet as if they lived in the wild.  The raw diet generally consists of high quality raw meats, raw (non splintering) bone, and different veggies and fruits for essential vitamins. Raw food diets have been shown to help the body deal with many common ailments such as flea infestations, hot spots, excessive shedding, poor dental & gum health, allergies, gastro-intestinal problems, immune disorders and degenerative diseases.  The only drawback in my opinion is that it can be expensive and more time consuming than dumping dry food in a bowl. There are pre-made products that you can buy that will help save you money and time. I've heard from many people who have switched their cats and dogs to the raw diet that say their pets seem much happier and healthier. Some pets can have no problems transitioning to the raw diet, but it's best to take it slow by mixing it with their normal dry food little by little over the course of two weeks. A good starting point is 1 teaspoon for small dogs and cats and 1 tablespoon for larger dogs for three days or so.  Then increase to 2 teaspoons or 2 tablespoons for a few days, while decreasing the amount of regular food by ¼ to ½ in general proportion to the raw.  Work up to replacing at least ½ the normal diet for several days. Some people choose to stay at that step and others go all raw. Then replace one full meal with raw for a day or two, then fully transition to raw. The raw food diet is safe and healthy if done properly. Be sure to only use very fresh food to reduce the bacteria content and vary the different types of meat used along with raw bone and fruits & vegetables. If you have any questions or concerns it's always good to check with your veterinarian or a holistic vet especially if your pet has any existing health problems.

 

Additional Information and Resources Bellow: I highly recomend that you read the article about raw foods from the only natural pet store. I gained a lot from reading it.