BARF diet for dogs is beginning to gain popularity among the owners of these pets. What does this diet consist of? Does your dog help you lose weight? It’s healthy?
BARF diet, whose acronym means “biologically adequate raw foods” Biologically suitable raw products, was designed by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst.
ACyV
Its origin is based on the idea that dogs are designed (as are their ancestors) to eat raw food, focusing on this diet on a diet based on animal protein, with a small percentage of fruits and vegetables and saying goodbye to animal feed.
Like their ancestors
This is justified by the fact that dogs are mainly carnivores and animals their digestive tract is shorter than that of omnivores and herbivoresbecause it is designed for meat consumption.
The main component of the diet is the bones, as they contain meat and muscle, which cover most of the dog’s nutritional needs.
BARF diet it is not a diet for your dog to lose weight, but a way to feed the dog with healthy, raw or cooked products, as close as possible to that of wild ancestors.
But is it healthy for our pet? According to Red Canina, some raw foods, such as meat, may contain various pathogens, but since carnivores have a short digestive tract and a fast digestion of them, this waste is eliminated quickly. I mean, food does not ferment in the digestive system, as with herbivores.
At the same time, dogs are ready to fight meat bacteria, because both saliva and gastric juices have antibacterial properties.
Even so, some of those who practice this diet easily cook the food, to prevent some of these bacteria from causing serious infections.
What can I eat
In the BARF diet, the main component is the bones, because they contain meat and muscle, which cover most of the dog’s nutritional needs, such as protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants.
Brighter hair, tartar-free teeth and a stronger immune system are among the benefits of this diet.
The bones allowed in this regime are of chicken or turkey, rabbit and beef, although you need to follow certain recommendations.
Of these, note that the bird or rabbit bones you use must contain meat, because the risk of chips will be reduced by going with the right meat and try to change the type of meat you give.
Confidential
Equally, make sure your dog does not chew the bones and swallow them quickly. If this happens, it is best to grind them well to avoid the dangers.
In addition to bones, you need to feed your dog meat (chicken, beef, lamb, rabbit, beef, mainly), heartless fruits without seeds or seeds, such as apple, pear or banana and vegetables such as spinach, pumpkin or cauliflower.
What are the benefits of the BARF diet
Among the benefits obtained from the BARF diet, there are brighter hair, teeth without tartar, a stronger immune system, smell better and that your dog will drink less water, compared to ingesting feed, which is drier and forces him to hydrate more.
Once you have explained the characteristics of the BARF diet, remember: always consult a veterinary expert to find out which diet is best for your dog, taking into account its breed, size, age and specific circumstances.