by Jeanie Pitner

Created on: August 17, 2007

The BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet was invented by practicing Australian Veterinarian surgeon named Ian Billinghurst. Like many other vets around the world he noticed pets developing the same type of medical problems as humans, and came up with a new way to feed animals called BARF.

The beliefs behind BARF is that throughout time, until present day animals diet consisted only of raw food, unlike our pet foods today, which is mostly grains. Furthermore, that an animals' diet only consisting of grains, artificial ingredients and by-products, caused their health problems.

BARF is similar to natural feeding because it copies the natural diet of animals. The difference being, instead of our dogs hunting for their own raw food, we give it to them, therefore preventing them from becoming predators.

If you want to switch to switch to the BARF diet, consider where you are going to purchase your raw meat, bones and vegetables.

There are two techniques the rapid switch and the slow switch.

Rapid switch is the easiest and quickest way. With the rapid switch, you do it immediately at their next meal time. Sometimes, you may want to fast your pet a couple of days beforehand to allow for detoxification. However, you have to take into account your pets' health and other factors before deciding if the rapid switch is appropriate for you.

Slow Switch, introduces the BARF over a period of time, this method can last up to four weeks or longer. Under this technique, there are four choices.

1) Feed your animal its regular kibble, then during its next meal time give it the BARF
2) Give both foods at the same time gradually reducing the kibble
3) Grind both foods together, starting with a small amount of BARF and then increasing it
4) Homemade cooked food diet, gradually cooking the BARF less and less

Billinghurst feels the pros to switching your pet to the BARF diet, is they need it for optimal health cooked pet food has less nutritional value, and high carbohydrates. Some owners that have switched have seen improvements in weight, skin, allergies and other health problems.

On the other hand, finding BARF may become a problem unless you live in the country by a cattle farmer, and how does a person know which is the right quality. Another problem may be that some dogs might be unable to switch from kibble.

Works Cited:

Phillips, Tim DVM "Raw The next big thing" Pet Food Industry http://www.petfoodindustry.com page 20 (accessed 8/16/07)
BARF World http://www.barfworld.com (accessed 8/16/07)
BARF Australia http://www.barfaustralia.com (accessed 8/16/07)
British Association of Holistic Nutrition and Medicine "The Barf Diet and Natural Feeding" Technical Information www.bahnm.org.uk (accessed 8/16/07)

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