Find What You Are Looking For Here
FYI: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a commission from various affiliate programs, and as an Amazon Associate and Chewy affiliate I also earn commissions from qualifying purchases—at NO extra cost to you. See the Disclosure page for more information. Thank you!
Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Raw Dog Food Diet: Pros and Cons of a BARF Diet

By Anton Hout, author of The Guide to Aussie Training & Care

The raw dog food diet is the subject of a great deal of debate among the veterinary community. There are proponents and opponents. Each group has certain points to make. There are risks and benefits. Opponents say that the risks outweigh the benefits. Proponents disagree. The information here should help you decide if this is the right choice for your pet.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Notice

DCM is a heart condition that has been reportedly linked to certain low carbohydrate dog foods. However, the FDA has still not confirmed a specific cause and its latest study is also inconclusive. As such, at the time of this writing (July 16, 2020) there have still not been any recalls. For further information see: FDA, Dog Food Advisor article, and an article by Daniel Schulof, the founder and CEO of KetoNatural Pet Foods, Inc. addressing potential Bad Science and Financial Conflicts of Interest Plaguing the FDA's Investigation Into "Grain-Free" Pet Foods and Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Chewy

Whether you have an Australian Shepherd or a Chihuahua, you are surely aware of how important good nutrition is to your dog’s health. Below is a short list of things that are related to nutritional intake.

  • The clarity of their eyes
  • The thickness of their fur
  • The health and appearance of their skin
  • Immune system function; risk of bacterial, parasitic and fungal infection
  • Joint function
  • Hearing
  • Digestive health
  • Organ health
  • Lifespan

The BARF diet (bones and raw food) was originally developed by Australian veterinary surgeon Dr. Ian Billinghurst. He is the author of the 1993 book “Give Your Dog a Bone”.

He maintains that all of the things listed above can be improved by feeding a diet that more closely resembles that which an animal would consume in the wild. Many European zookeepers seem to agree. They typically feed animal carcasses to the carnivores in their care.

Most North American zookeepers feed prepared food. While the meat may be served raw, it is not in the form of a carcass. They maintain that carcass feeding leads to more aggressive behavior.

Australian Shepherd

Kyler and Lindsay Marson

Max loves the dog park where he can run as fast and far as he wants and he gets to play with all the local dogs of the city. His favorite friends are Jack Russell's as they like to be chased. Max is very energetic and has a great personality.

Opponents of the raw dog food diet say the same is true of domesticated animals. They are not in favor of it for dogs or cats. Opponents include the American, British and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Proponents sometimes criticize the motives of the associations, because they are financially supported by commercial pet food manufacturers. Vets make additional profits by selling certain brands in their office. At the very least, there does seem to be a conflict of interest.

There is little scientific evidence to support the benefits of the BARF diet. On the other hand, there is little scientific evidence to support the benefits of feeding commercial pet foods. The few comparative studies that have been conducted were inconclusive.

Many of the claimed benefits of the BARF diet have to do with oral health. Chewing on bones and fibrous meats can help to keep the teeth clean, prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

This does not replace the need for regular brushing and cleaning according to vets on both sides of the debate. There are also risks associated with cracking bones including dental impactions and fractures. The risk is likely greater for small breeds than it is for Australian Shepherds.

The risks of the raw dog food diet include airway obstruction, choking, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, severe diarrhea, bowel obstruction and intestinal perforations. Those same risks are associated with rawhide dog chews, commercial treats and doggie toys.

Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Proponents admit that when dogs are switched from commercial foods to the BARF diet, they typically experience diarrhea. They say this is part of the "detoxification process." Detoxification is supported by alternative healthcare practitioners of all kinds, but is not supported by scientific evidence at this time.

There is no doubt that commercially prepared dog food can be boring. Dogs would likely enjoy the variety. Chewing on bones is good for their teeth, jaws and neck muscles.

The president of the RSPCA in Australia, Dr Hugh Wirth, made something of a compromise recommendation in 2007. He said that raw meaty bones should be fed to pets a minimum of three times a week for dental health.

If you do decide to feed the bones and raw food diet, follow proper care and handling recommendations, just as you would when preparing your own food. Watch your dogs carefully for any negative reactions. Take bones away when they become small enough to swallow whole.

If you decide to use commercially prepared dog food, choose a good brand. There is a huge difference in quality. The low quality brands are primarily composed of grains, which would not be a part of a carnivore’s natural diet. See Also: Dog Food Secrets

All vets might not agree that a raw dog food diet is the best choice, but most would agree that feeding high carbohydrate, low protein grain-based food increases the risk of obesity and type II diabetes in dogs.

Wysong Dog Food, a high quality dog food producer, offers a range of raw dog food products including an Introductory Pack.

Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com icon

Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Have Dog Training Questions?

Check out these introductory dog training videos...

I want my dog to stop being aggressive.

I want some help training my new puppy.

I want my dog to stop barking at everything.

I want my dog to walk nicely and calmly on the leash.

I want my dog to listen and come every time I call!

Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com icon
Newsletter for Aussie Lovers!

Get Australian Shepherd Info, Website Updates, Special Offers, and Cartoons...

FREE GIFT
You'll also receive a free copy of the ebook
My Everyday Dog Training Tools
by professional dog trainer Daniel Abdelnoor, "Doggy Dan"