Benefits of a Raw Food Diet for Your Dog

The benefits of a raw food diet are explained very well by Australian vet, Dr Ian Billinghurst, both on his web site and in his books, Give Your Dog A Bone and The BARF Diet.

I read Give Your Dog A Bone when I first started “Don’t Fret Pet!” back in 1993 and have fed each of my dogs a raw food diet since then.  They have all lived long and healthy lives.

Dr Billinghurst says the BARF (Biologically Appropriate RAW Food or Bones And Raw Food) diet is about feeding dogs and cats the diet they evolved to eat over millions of years.

He also said that because our pets’ bodies evolved eating this diet, that is exactly what we should feed them. Anything less will fall short of what their bodies require for best health, longevity and freedom from disease.

My dogs’ raw food diet

I found that feeding my dogs raw food was very simple and much cheaper than the cost of buying expensive kibble.  I just ground up raw meat (including some organ meats) and raw vegetables.  Adding some vitamins, kelp and herbs helped me to be sure they received a balanced diet.

Final note from Dr Billinghurst

Another important point that Dr Billinghurst makes is that because the raw food diet is based on the diet our pets have eaten for millions of years, it is in no way a radical change for our dogs and cats.  BARF is actually a return to the biologically appropriate method of feeding that was abandoned a mere 60 to 70 years ago when processed pet foods took over from more traditional methods.

He also states that BARF-fed pets tend to be free of dental problems, skin problems, ear problems, eye problems, bowel problems, kidney and heart problems, pancreas and liver problems and immune system problems.  BARF-fed animals enjoy a life with an enormously reduced chance of developing both infectious and degenerative diseases. They rarely develop cancer. This healthy state continues into advanced old age.