Raw Diet For Dogs: Will It Improve Your Dog’s Health?

By Kimberly Alt 

What Is A Raw Food Diet For Dogs?

A raw dog food diet emphasizes uncooked meat (often muscle and organ meat), whole or crushed bones, fruits, vegetables, raw eggs and some dairy.

Raw diets started with racing greyhounds and sled dogs. In 1993, Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst proposed extending the diet to family dogs. He called this the “BARF diet” for dogs, which stands for Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

Billinghurst suggested dogs would flourish on BARF dog food since this is how they ate prior to being domesticated. He also argued that commercial pet foods were harmful to the health of dogs.

What Are The Claimed Benefits Of Raw Food Diets For Dogs?

Billinghurst and his supporters say the benefits include:

• Shinier coat
• Healthier skin
• Cleaner teeth
• More energy

~I have to add that a good friend of mine witnessed all of the above when he switched his dogs to raw. It’s also been shown that many skin allergies have been cleared up when raw food is introduced to a dog’s diet, or at least a grain-free. As with humans, food can also affect our animals in their emotional and behavioral makeup as well. ~Ruth

There are lots of raw food recipes on the internet and on YouTube. Choose one that you feel you can handle and has the important ingredients and supplements that your dog needs.

Here is another link for more information and some recipes:

4 Homemade Raw Dog Food Recipes (Vet-Approved)