Diet

BARF - (Biologically
  Appropriate Raw Food Diet)


The
only  way to feed!


Over the
years  I have fed my dogs in many different ways, using many different types of
  processed dog foods with and without natural additives. Myself and the 99% of
  the population believed all the advertising campaigns and chose to be ignorant
  to the truth about what is really in Processed Dog foods.


Over time
I  have gone from feeding mainly processed foods to feeding smaller and smaller
  amounts of processed dog food. Still hanging on to some blind belief that there
  is some goodness in this so called dog food. Seeing my dogs get better coats
  whiter teeth, have more energy, they lost useless fat and muscled up, as the
  amount of processed food decreased in their diet, was sheer proof that they do
  not need it and are much better off without it altogether.


Breeding
some  litters over the years, and keeping in contact with the owners I have
constantly  had feedback on their health and condition. It soon became apparent
to me that  dogs fed mostly processed foods were not doing as well as those fed
all or  mostly natural raw foods, and quality table scraps.
Those dogs which
were fed  natural raw foods and or the Processed Dog foods were supplemented
heavily with  natural foods and leftovers, did significantly better, lived
longer, had fewer  visits to the vets, were more agile and mobile, often
competing in obedience and  agility for a much longer period of time without
developing degenerative  problems early in life. The skin and coat looked
healthier, the dogs had better  immunity and had fewer gastric upsets, better
teeth, and fresher  breath.



Dogs fed
  naturally with little or no grains, have more muscle mass than fat, and are
more  energetic performing better in competitive sports. Puppies grow slower and
  better, developing fewer skeletal problems and weaknesses.


I came to
the  conclusion that no Processed Dog Food, no matter how expensive is not good
for  dogs. Even the ones which claimed to have the best quality ingredience are
not  good for your dog, by the sheer fact that there are few laws governing what
goes  into pet foods, the ingredients are never the same from one bag to the
next. Up  to 70% of it is rubbish filler your dog does not need to eat, such as
wheat and  rice (Grains) and they're by products.
Pet food companies use
grains that  are not good enough in quality for human consumption, they use
grain to create  the bulk so that you think you are getting your monies worth,
where in fact you  are getting a bag full of wheat or rice.



Wild dogs
do  not graze on fields of wheat or rice. Dogs do not have a biological need to
eat  grains much else have food given to them that is full of grains. Many
people  have a high intolerance for diets high in grains
(carbohydrates)



Grains are
not  biologically correct food for dogs, or for that matter us humans. Many a
study  and book will refer to them as killer carbs. They are known to cause
early  degenerative diseases such as arthritis, allergies, poor skin and coats,
ear  yeast infections, terrible teeth, diabetes and are linked to many other
problems  dogs are experiencing.



Proteins
that  range anything from 20-30% in Processed Dog Foods are not from quality
meat, but  from meat unfit for human consumption, dead diseased euthanised
decaying animals  are often used, many articles claim that euthanaised dogs and
cats, still with  collars and plastic bags as well as road kill are just some of
the ingredients,  that go into the cooking pot. This is described as the
Rendering Process, from  which the bone meal or meat meal is
derived.



The fat
  collected from this "cooking pot" at about 250 degrees is than sprayed onto the
  otherwise flavorless biscuits (cooked grains). This fat is rancid and like the
  rest of the things that go into dog food, which has been heated to very high
  temperatures, it is considered carcinogenic. Many believe that it is the very
  thing responsible for the high incidence of cancer amongst our faithful
  companions.


All this
  wonderful so Called Total balanced Processed Dog Food is than covered with many
  chemicals and colors to preserve the stuff put into nice colored packaging, to
  make it look pretty and pleasing to the human eye for all those who choose to
  remain ignorant.



Multimillion  dollar advertising campaigns
are put into place, the food is given away at shows  and dog related
competitions where the banners advertising their brand are  displayed and people
are led to believe that this is what all the champion dogs  and top working dogs
get fed.


Most Vets
are  poorly educated in canine nutrition, the education they do receive while
  training, is given by representatives from pet food companies. Vets are given
  numerous kickbacks and freebies if they use and promote a particular type of
pet  food to their clients. Just think if pets do not eat processed dog foods
they  will actually have less health problems thus they will not need to visit
the vet  as often and get steroids, antibiotics and expensive
treatments.



Some vets
CARE  and those speak out and write articles and do studies with no personal
gain in  the form of sponsorships from pet food companies have to be given
credit. There  are only few of those however so do not expect to be told the
truth by your vet  or to get support from them when feeding a natural healthy
diet. Just have a  look around the vet surgery, and see the food that the vet
will eventually try  to sell to you, ask yourself is there money to be made from
this product for the  vet? Pet food outlets are just as much to blame, after all
Processed Dog Foods  are their bread and butter, without which they would not
survive.


Pet foot
  industry is huge, millions of dollars are made by everybody from selling and
  promoting this type of food, this is not going to change its only the few that
  can see past the advertisements, the few that really care about their pets
  well-being and spend the time to educate themselves by doing a bit of research
  to find out the truth about processed pet foods and the much healthier
  alternatives. After all what else can be done with human waste, why not process
  it and call it dog food and make money from selling it to the
  public.



Today's
  society is based on fast foods, we like feeding dogs processed foods as its
  convenient, and since the advertisements say its good for our dogs, it's easier
  to believe it.


Certain
  breeders are also partly to blame; they also gain by advertising particular
  brands of dog foods. They nearly always stem to gain from doing so. Often they
  sell the product and make money on it; they get free food for their puppies and
  sample bags for the new owners. They have their web sites sponsored; this
  includes advertisements for their kennels and dogs featured in many dog
  magazines. I do not blame them, dog breeding is very expensive and if done
  correctly there is no money to be made so every bit helps!
For most It's
  much easier to feed multiple dogs from a bag without any preparation or
  planning. Most breeders heavily supplement the Processed Foods with natural
  components such as a variety of Raw Meaty Bones, Oils, and Antioxidants. They
  try and fill the short falls of Processed Foods. This works for many, but for
  those who really care and are happy to put in the little bit of extra effort,
  there is no reason why their animals can not be fed an all natural and healthy
  diet without the damaging Processed Dog Foods.


There are
many  advantages to this type of diet, one of the most obvious being the
long-term  health benefits.



The
savings in  food costs and vet bills, the satisfaction that your dogs are eating
what they  should eat naturally, and that you are doing the best that you can
for your  beloved pet.


I have
  absolutely nothing to gain by telling you about our methods of feeding and how
  we care for our dogs, I do it because I am very devoted to this magnificent
  breed and I love all dogs. Our success in the show ring, working ring and
  breeding speaks for itself. 


 
Books  and
articles



There are
many  different books you can read on this subject there are a few I would
recommend.  Each book has a slightly different view and way of feeding of the
same diet,  some use little or no supplements, others use supplements
etc.



This book
  outlines the so-called BARF diet, and I would recommend we all read
  it.



It's the
  second book written by Dr Ian Bilinghurst. Called Grow Your Dog with
  Bones.



This
book
  will take you step by step throughout your dog's entire development and
into the  old age.



It
details  step-by-step instructions on how to feed your dog, how to

prepare its
food, what 


to feed and why!



It will 

also  in detail outline the benefits of natural diet versus processed dog 

  foods.


I do
believe  he now has a new book out, which is good for beginner BARF feeders.
Called The  BARF Diet


You should
  also be able to get more information from the following web site and order the
  above-mentioned books.



www.barfworld.com



" Grow
Your  Pup With Bones"
by Dr Ian Bilinghurst.
PO Box WO 64
Bathurst 2795
NSW Australia.
PH
02 63342009


The BARF
diet  will be available for you to purchase from pet shops, pre packaged and
ready to  serve so ask.


For more
  information contact Ella at "Fireax" Dobermanns on