Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet, commonly known as B.A.R.F -Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, for dogs mainly consists of raw meat, chicken, and other animal protein. Proponents of this diet believe that since dogs have always existed on raw meat in the wild, and their teeth seem to be made to tear apart animal flesh, they should eat the same way today. It is believed that dogs have the necessary enzyme to consume raw meat and that they in fact digest raw meat more efficiently than cooked. Some raw diet proponents also believe that dogs are immune to salmonella and e coli, however this is dangerously wrong. Others feel that the meat they feed to their dog is fresh and clean of any pathogens, however unless they are using a microscope to check the meat, there is no way to ensure this at all. Clearly, if an owner is thinking about starting the B.A.R.F. diet he must do his research.

One essential factor of this diet concerns humans, especially children. No matter how much your dog licks her face after eating, if she has eaten raw meat there is a possibilty that there will be salmonela or e coli on her face, and anywhere else she licks. I would strongly advise anyone with children to never provide a raw food diet, it's not worth the danger of harming a child, Adults are also in danger of infection from these pathogens, however an adult can make her own decision if she is comfortable with the risk of serious infection. In my opinion, the B.A.R.F diet is not a good idea, alternatively, there are very good pet foods which I will discuss in another post.