Is BARF Really the Best Food for Your Dog?
Dog owners just like you are thinking for themselves. Veterinarians like me are finding that where once there was trust, now suspicion lurks beneath the surface, especially on the topic of the best food for your dog.
Ask owners what they feed their dogs, and a growing number are saying: BARF (biologically available raw food). I find that owners who feed their dogs raw food respond to my questions in one of two ways.
The first is the defensive owner who anticipates a lecture on making a foolish life choice for their dog. (Incidentally, they are second guessing my opinion and getting it wrong.) The second is the more cautious owner: “Well actually I thought I’d give raw food a go,” as if testing me or seeking approval.
OK, chill guys. You want the best for your dog, I get that. The strange thing is, we both do.
Concern about BARF
Initially I was deeply concerned by the BARF phenomenon. It concerned me because I foresaw a tide of dogs with nutritional deficiencies after years of eating an unbalanced diet. But you know what? I took the time to read up. Now I understand more about the research and preparation that goes into the BARF recipes and diets, and I’ve changed my mind.
Call it coincidence, call it evidence, but I’ve seen dogs with previously tartar-encrusted teeth that are now pristine white, and dogs with chronic bowel problems who now poop roses – and their owners swear it’s down to BARF.
However, I believe there is more than one way to feed a dog for optimal health.
BARF isn’t for everyone, and if you don’t like handling raw meat, or you’re not confident about preparing a balanced diet, then there’s no need to feel guilty for making a different choice. With a little understanding of pet food labeling you can offer your pet an excellent commercial diet.
Choosing Your Dog’s Ideal Food
Your first decision is what type or formulation of commercial food to feed: dry, semi-moist, or moist. These differ in how the food is preserved and the amount of water it contains. Indeed, there’s no aspect of diets for dogs that isn’t controversial, and this includes the water content.
Your first decision is what type or formulation of commercial food to feed: dry, semi-moist, or moist. These differ in how the food is preserved and the amount of water it contains. Indeed, there’s no aspect of diets for dogs that isn’t controversial, and this includes the water content.
#1 Type of Dog Food
Here is the lowdown on proprietary food types and moisture:
Fans of canned food argue that the high water content flushes the kidneys and keeps the urinary system healthy. The other side of the argument is that canned food is basically expensive water. Hmm. Which to believe?
For what it’s worth, I’ve yet to meet a dog that doesn’t drink when they’re thirsty, so moisture content alone shouldn’t necessarily influence your decision. An arguable exception is a dog that has a sore mouth, in which case soft foods hurt less to chew, or a dog with frequent urinary infections that may benefit from a guaranteed fluid intake.
#2 A Balanced Diet
Whatever your choice, look for a “complete” food that is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
“Complete” means the food contains everything necessary for a balanced, healthy diet, without the addition of any other food type. This can trip people up because it sounds mighty similar to a “complementary” diet.
“Complementary” means that one food needs another food to complement it in order to be balanced. For example, dog biscuits are complementary to some canned food.
The AAFCO is your guarantee that a food is balanced. A seal of approval on the bag means it’s been proven to be a complete diet. It doesn’t, however, make any judgment about being additive- or preservative-free. For that you need to read the label, which brings us to the next point.
#3 Read the Label
Food labels are intimidating. If you glaze over when faced with percentage dry matter or MDAs (minimal daily allowance), fear not. Go for the easy option and look at the ingredients.
The most important thing to know is that the main ingredient is listed first, the second biggest ingredient second, and so on. Think of the BARF diet and you can’t go too wrong. Dogs thrive on meat, which is mainly protein. So look for meat protein at the top of the list. If you see chicken/beef/ rabbit/salmon named as the top ingredients, then you’re on the right track.
Top Tip
If the manufacturer works to a recipe but buys the cheapest meat at the market that day, he may well put “Meat” at the head of the list, rather than a named meat, e.g., chicken (because beef might be cheapest that day). So if your dog has allergies and it’s essential he avoids, say, beef, choose a food with named meat rather than the generic term.
A step down in quality is seeing “meat by-products” listed. This tends to be meat scraps from leftover muscle to offal or lights. If you’re looking for the best, then once again choose a named meat rather than meat by-products.
Moving down the label, again think of the BARF diet; next on the list of ingredients should be vegetables and fruit. It’s a great idea for a dog to get energy from vegetables (with carbohydrates such as grain being strictly optional).
When studying the label, bear in mind that soy products are cheap and bulky, and therefore popular with manufacturers, but that doesn’t mean they should be with you!
Remember BARF
When choosing a food for your dog, think “BARF” even if you don’t feed it. Study the label and look for real meat at the top of the list, with energy from vegetables hot on its heels. Follow that simple rule and you’ll be feeding for a happy, healthy dog.