 |
Please Note: The BeanTown Dogs website provides information and listings of dog breeds, clubs and associations, rescue organizations, health and nutrition, breeders,
trainers, groomers, boarding kennels, and other pet services and products. However, we do not recommend, endorse, or support any one of these listings over another. The links
provided on the site are for information purposes only and should not be viewed as a recommendation or endorsement. Accuracy of information is the sole responsibility of the
owner of the listing and we cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation. We reserve the right to refuse any listing at our sole discretion. The BeanTown Dogs website is
not affiliated or associated with any organization or business - It is a completely independent project. - Archie and Mum
| SEARCH ~ ADVERTISE ~ PRIVACY ~ LEGAL ~ CONTACT US Copyright Perkins & Company 2006-2008 All Rights Reserved. All content, including graphics, on BeanTown Dogs Website is Copyright Perkins & Company, unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or reproduced without prior written permission. |
| The BARF Diet |
Sniff Around for Dog Events!
Promote Your Events On Beantown Dogs.
Paw here to find out how.
Promote Your Events On Beantown Dogs.
Paw here to find out how.
Disclaimer: None of the information on this page or on its
links should be substituted for your veterinarian's advice.
links should be substituted for your veterinarian's advice.
The word BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. Every living
animal requires a biologically appropriate diet. And if you think about it, not one animal
on earth is adapted to eating a cooked food diet.
The Benefits of BARF
One of the first things you will notice about dogs being fed Dr. Billinghurst's BARF
DIET™
is a new zest for life!
Teeth & Breath
Your pet will have much-improved breath, no tartar and beautifully clean teeth. All
without having to visit the pet dentist or brush the teeth.
Skin & Coat
This can be one of the first changes you will notice when you start feeding Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET™. If those persistent skin problems suddenly disappear or
improve, and you no longer need vet visits, medicated washes, antibiotics, cortisone
shots and cortisone tablets, it has to mean something. It really is hard to ignore the
deeply colored, lustrous, thick and healthy coat!
Immune System
Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ normalizes and strengthens the immune system.
Because BARF contains a good balance of essential fatty acids and other immune
normalizing and strengthening nutrients, it reduces inflammatory conditions and waves
good-bye to infections.
Degenerative Disease
Pet owners that switch their older pets to Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ usually find that
whatever degenerative disease their pet has contracted, becomes less of a problem.
Stool Volume & Odor
Once again this reflects the improved health of the immune system and the remarkable
difference that bone eating makes in the production of firm stools which are essential
for normal anal sac emptying.
Arthritis
After a few months you can expect to see much greater mobility in your pet. This is part
of the reason so many older pets have a new lease on life when switched to Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET™.
Lean Body Mass
By feeding Billinghurst's BARF DIET™, your pet will lose unwanted fat and gain that
much desired increase in muscle mass. This not only makes your pet look better, it
increases your pet’s metabolic rate, its activity levels and its healthy life-span. The
effect will be more rapid if you combine Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ with some normal
exercise.
Barf Diet Specifics
BARF DIET™
Getting down to ingredient specifics ...
BONES
For millions of years, dogs have cleaned up the remains of other animal's bodies.
Mostly bones. That ability remains. All modern dogs easily and joyfully tackle bones. A
dog's whole system is designed for and in fact needs bones to function properly. Bones
are living tissue composed of living cells. Because bones are living tissue, just like any
other part of the body, they are a complex source of a wide variety of nutrients. Bones
contain minerals which are embedded in protein. They also contain fat. If the bone is
from chicken or pork, then that fat will be very high in the essential fatty acids. Along
with the fat are fat soluble vitamins. The central parts of most bones contains marrow
which is a highly nutritious mix of blood forming elements, including iron. Raw bones
also provide natural antioxidant/anti-ageing factors including enzymes.
"It is not hard to pick the dogs that eat bones. They look and act healthy.
The acid test however, is to look in their mouth and smell their breath. I do this daily as
part of
a routine examination of all the dogs that enter my practice..."
Bones are nature's storehouse of minerals for your dog. If meat is added to bone, then
methionine and most of the B vitamins are supplied. Puppies and adult dogs fed bone
rarely if ever suffer from indigestion or diarrhea. They produce smallish quantities of
solid minimally offensive stools. It is highly probable that bones play a similar role to
fiber, that is, a role of bulking out the food, thereby removing toxins and promoting
general bowel health. Bone eating dogs are long lived healthy dogs. They seem to be
particularly free of the degenerative diseases of old age.
MEAT
Many people assume that a dog's natural diet is a meat only diet.
Unfortunately this is untrue as a meat only diet is highly unnatural and unbalanced.
Meat should form only a part of the over-all diet, which should include bone, fruits and
vegetables as well. For example, the muscle meat eaten by wild dogs forms a small part
of the diet that consists of a wide variety of other foods, including bone.
What nutrients are in meat?
Meat supplies protein
That is its major role in nutrition. It also supplies varying amounts of fat, water, and
some vitamins and minerals. Because it supplies fat and protein, it also supplies
energy. Meat is first class protein. That is, it contains all the essential amino acids
necessary for dogs of all ages, including growing dogs, pregnant dogs, female dogs
feeding puppies and of course not-doing-so-much-dogs.
Meat supplies energy
There are no carbohydrates in meat. That is no starch or sugar or fiber. As the fat
content rises, the percentage of water drops and so does the protein. As the fat
content of the meat rises so does the energy it can supply to your dog. The fat in
different types of meat varies in the levels of essential fatty acids present. Chicken and
pork have the highest levels while lamb and beef are both low. Lamb usually contains
more essential fatty acids than beef, but only because it has more fat.
Meat supplies some minerals
Raw meat is low in sodium and high in potassium. That is good news for dogs with heart
problems. The meat with the lowest sodium is beef, with pork also being fairly low. The
meat with the highest potassium is pork, with chicken having the lowest potassium
levels. This makes pork a good all round meat for heart patients. Beef, lamb, chicken
and pork meat are all very low in calcium and moderately low in magnesium. This
means they are great foods for dogs prone to bladder stones. However, this lack of
minerals requires bone material in your dog's diet. Beef and lamb meat are relatively
well endowed with zinc, making them good foods for dogs with a deficiency of zinc.
Chicken has low zinc levels with pork containing more than chicken but not as much as
lamb and beef. Of the meats, beef is the best source of iron.
OFFAL
In the wild, dogs eat the stomach content and organ meat from the animals they prey
upon. In fact, internal organs form a vital part of the wild dog's diet. Modern dogs have
similar requirements. Dogs consuming these foods as part of a sensible diet have
superior health to dogs that do not eat them. Although organ meats are valuable dog
food, they are not required in huge amounts. They are a concentrated source of many
essential nutrients and are particularly valuable during times of growth, reproduction
and stress as a source of concentrated nutrients.
Liver
In this one product is a vast range of important nutrition. Liver is the most concentrated
source of vitamin A and should be fed in small amounts on a regular basis. It also
contains vitamins E, D, and K in substantial quantities. Liver is an excellent source of
the minerals zinc, manganese, selenium and iron. It also contains all the B vitamins,
particularly B2, B3, B5, biotin, folacin, B12, choline, and inositol. It contains B1 in
adequate or smaller amounts and is a good source of vitamin C. Liver provides a
source of good quality protein and the essential fatty acids, both the omega-3 and
omega-6 type. It's a fantastic food for your dog!
Kidneys
Not unlike liver, kidney supplies good quality protein, essential fatty acids and many
vitamins including all the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Kidneys are a rich source
of iron and all the B vitamins. They also have good levels of zinc.
Heart
Like liver and kidneys, heart as dog food is an excellent source of protein, B vitamins
and iron. They do contain some essential fatty acids and a little vitamin A. Heart
contains appreciable levels of taurine which is important food... for the heart!
Unbleached Green Tripe
Green tripe is the edible lining and accompanying content of a cow or other ruminant's
first or second division of the stomach. Paunch tripe comes from the large first stomach
division and honeycomb tripe comes from the second division. Both wild canids and
domestic dogs benefit from eating tripe as it contains a very diverse profile of living
nutrients including enzymes, omega- 3 and 6 fatty acids, probiotics, and phytonutrients.
It has long been quoted as being "the finest of natural foods".
VEGETABLES
Dogs have actually eaten vegetables the whole period of their evolution, and that's a
long time! As such, vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables should form part of
the domestic dog's diet. Dogs need vegetables because they contain many important
health promoting nutrients. The fiber your dog obtains from raw vegetables includes
both soluble and insoluble fiber. Vegetables supply many other nutrients. Many of
those nutrients are the ones that have been found to be in short supply in the modern
dog's "civilized" diet. This includes difficult to obtain omega 3 essential fatty acids, most
of a dog's vitamin needs, masses of enzymes and various anti-aging factors, including
antioxidants and phytochemicals.
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the most nutrient dense foods. It is dense in vitamin C, beta carotene,
folic acid, calcium and fiber. It is also a good source of chromium. Like other members
of the cabbage family, broccoli has demonstrated remarkable anticancer effects.
Broccoli contains several important phytochemicals: beta carotene, indoles, and
isothiocyanates and over thirty-three cancer preventative compounds. Research
suggests that phytochemicals prevent carcinogens from forming, stop carcinogens from
getting to target cells and boost enzymes that detoxify carcinogens.
Spinach
Spinach contains twice as much iron as most other greens. Like other chlorophyll and
carotene -containing vegetables, it is a rich source of antioxidants. Besides beta-
carotene, it also supplies two other carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. Spinach has long
had a reputation of being very high in nutrients. It is a good source of fiber, calcium,
potassium and vitamins A, B6 and K.
Celery
Celery is rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and iron, as well as vitamins
A, B, C. The phytochemical 3-n-butyl phthalide, one of the components that gives
celery its characteristic smell and taste, is especially potent as an anti-tumor agent.
Along with the compound sedanolide, an aromatic ingredient also found in celery, 3-n-
butyl phthalide significantly reduces the incidence of tumors in laboratory animals. It is
said to decrease nervousness, and is used as an acid neutralizer.
Bok Choy
A cruciferous vegetable like cabbage, bok choy is an excellent source of Beta
carotene, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin and calcium. It contains significant amounts of
nitrogen compounds known as indoles, as well as fiber - both of which appear to lower
the risk of various forms of cancer. Bok choy is also a good source of folate (folic acid).
Carrot
The carrot is the king of the vegetables. It is the richest source of pro-vitamin A
carotenes among commonly consumed vegetables. But unlike vitamin A, beta carotene
and other carotenes in carrots do not cause toxicity. Beta carotene is also a powerful
antioxidant. Carrots also contain vitamins B, C, D, E, K, riboflavin, niacin, calcium,
potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and iron. Carrots have repeatedly shown to nourish
the optic nerve and significantly improve eyesight.
Capsicum
This is an excellent source of many essential nutrients. By weight, red peppers have
three times as much vitamin C as citrus fruit. Moreover, red peppers are quite a good
source of beta carotene, and they offer a good amount of fiber and vitamin B6.
Because capsicum stimulates circulation and enhances blood flow, it is considered food
for the circulatory system and as a digestive aid. Red peppers are one of few foods
that contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help prevent various forms of cancer.
FRUIT
Yes, dogs can and do eat fruit. Wild dogs - domestic dogs, they all do it! Remember
dogs are omnivores. They can eat almost anything. Fruits are mostly water. After that,
the major nutrient in fruit is soluble carbohydrate. That is simple sugars. Energy foods.
Fruit contains lots of fiber. It also contains vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. Because
fruit is a whole food, it also contains minerals, small amounts of protein and small
amounts of fat. Two nutrients present in most raw fruits, vitamin A as carotene and
vitamin C, make fruit a valuable food for your dog. The enzymes present in raw fruit,
also make it important as part of your dog's diet, particularly if your dog is past middle
age and showing the beginnings of degenerative disease.
Is it essential that dogs eat fruit?
No. All of the nutrients present in fruit can be obtained from other sources. However, by
adding fruit to the diet, we ensure a wide variety of foods. This gives the greatest
chance of providing a balanced diet with plenty of longevity and immune system
promoting nutrients. Any fruit can be fed to dogs, however tropical fruits are a
particularly valuable food as they contain lots of antioxidants. Scientists have
discovered that the enzymes and antioxidants present in fruit, many of which have not
yet been identified, keep the skin and indeed the whole body free of degeneration and
old age diseases.
Whole Apple
Unpeeled apples are especially high in non-pro-vitamin A carotenes and pectin. Pectin
is a remarkable type of fiber that has been shown to exert a number of beneficial
effects. Due to its gel forming fiber, it can improve the intestinal muscle's ability to push
waste through the gastrointestinal tract. Pectin also binds to and eliminates toxins in the
gut. Apples are also rich in beta carotene and vitamin C as well as several B complex
vitamins including vitamin B6, folic acid and lots of potassium.
Whole Pear
Pears are an excellent source of water-soluble fiber, including pectin, which makes
them useful in toning the intestines. Fresh pears contain potassium which is necessary
for maintaining heartbeat, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and carbohydrate
metabolism. Pears also contain Vitamin C. An important antioxidant, Vitamin C is
essential for helping prevent free radical damage.
Whole Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a good source of flavonoids, water soluble fibers, potassium, vitamin C,
and folic acid. Grapefruit, like other citrus fruits has been shown to exert some
anticancer effects in both human and animal studies. Grapefruit pectin has been shown
to possess similar cholesterol lowering action to other fruit pectins. The whole fruit
contains more pectin than the juice. Recently, grapefruit has been shown to normalize
hematocrit levels. The word hematocrit refers to the percentage of red blood cells per
volume of blood. Low hematocrit levels usually reflect anemia. High hematocrit levels
may reflect severe dehydration or an increased number of red blood cells. Grapefruit
seeds are well known as an anti-fungal agent in that their consumption kills many
different types of parasites and assists the body in producing beneficial bacteria. A
biologically active natural ingredient found in the seeds kills strep, staph, salmonella, e.
coli, candida, herpes, influenza, parasites, fungi and traveler's diarrhea, and is used as
an antibiotic, anti fungal, antiprotozoan and antiviral.
Whole Orange
Everyone knows that oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, but they have more
to offer nutritionally than just this nutrient. One orange contains generous levels of
folate (folic acid), potassium, and thiamin, as well as some calcium and magnesium.
Equally important to the nutritional value of oranges is their supply of flavonoids,
making oranges a valuable aid in strengthening the immune system, supporting
connective tissues, and promoting overall good health. Oranges have been shown to
protect against cancer, and fight viral infections.
WHOLE EGG
Eggs are absolutely brilliant nutrition for your dog. Eggs are a whole food, and often
regarded as having the perfect protein. It is the one against which all other proteins are
measured. Eggs contain a full compliment of minerals, including excellent levels of
calcium (mostly in the yolk), all the vitamins except vitamin C and a range of high quality
saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the nutrient lecithin and the whole range of
enzymes and other longevity factors always present in raw foods. The shell is included
as a further source of calcium. Egg yolks are an essential food for a dog with skin
problems. They contain sulphur containing amino acids, biotin, vitamin A, essential fatty
acids and zinc.
FLAX SEED
Flaxseed has been used for more than 10,000 years. The oil of the seed is a rich
source of Essential Fatty Acids. Essential Fats, or Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are
essential nutrients that the body can't produce itself. The only way to obtain these
nutrients is through diet. EFAs are polyunsaturated fats, which are considered "good"
fats. EFAs contribute to the healthy functioning of cell membranes, and are also critical
for the synthesis of eicosanoids, a family of hormone-like substances that help in cell
maintenance on a minute-to-minute basis. Just like other essential vitamins and
minerals, EFAs are necessary for good health.
Flaxseed contains bioactive compounds called lignans, which have been proven to
prevent cancer. Once consumed, lignans found in flaxseed are converted by bacterial
action in the colon to mammalian lignans. They are then circulated through the
intestinal tract and liver where their action is potentiated. In the body, mammalian
lignans have estrogen-like and anti-estrogen effects. Scientists believe the effects of
lignans on estrogen metabolism, in addition to their antioxidant properties, may explain
why diets rich in lignans have a lower incidence of cancer. Evidence suggests that
lignans may also be antioxidants, although the strength of their antioxidant activity is
not yet clear. Other studies indicate flax lignans reduce cholesterol and prevent
diabetes in animals. So far, scientists have isolated at least three flaxseed components
with potential health benefits. The first is fiber, valuable for intestinal health. The
benefits of the other two substances, alpha-linolenic acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid)
and lignans, suggests that these components may be helpful in prevention of heart
disease and perhaps in treatment of chronic kidney disease.
GARLIC
Garlic is nature's antibiotic. There is no doubt that garlic does confer some health
advantages. Garlic has been found to have effective antimicrobial properties, inhibiting
the growth of both bacteria and fungi. Garlic helps stabilize blood pressure and gives a
good solid boost to the immune system, keeping at bay infections of various sorts
particularly upper respiratory tract infections. Much of it's success is due to various
compounds of sulphur. Garlic is a health building and disease preventing herb. It is rich
in potassium, zinc, vitamins A and C, and selenium. It also contains calcium,
manganese, copper, vitamin B1 and some iron.
KELP
Kelp contains over 60 minerals and elements, 21 amino acids and simple and complex
carbohydrates, which promotes glandular health, especially the pituitary, adrenal and
thyroid glands. Kelp supplies a natural source of iodine and acts as an antibiotic to kill
germs.
ALFALFA
Alfalfa helps the body assimilate protein, calcium and other nutrients. This herb is a
body cleanser, infection fighter and natural deodorizer. It is the richest land source of
trace minerals and contains vitamins A, C, E, K, B and D. Alfalfa also contains
bioflavonoids, and eight digestive enzymes to promote proper assimilation of foods.
KEFIR
The history of kefir is centuries old. The word "kefir" is said to have originated from the
word "keif" which means" good feeling". Kefir is like yogurt, but with a greater variety of
cultures and significant health benefits. Unlike yogurt, which typically contains only two
or three different bacteria, true kefir contains a greater range of different
microorganisms, each with its own unique contribution. This is what separates kefir from
all other cultured milk products. Kefir is made by fermentation of "kefir" grains, which
resemble minute cauliflowers. The grains consist of casein and colonies of
microorganisms that are grown together symbiotically. Kefir can only be made from pre-
existing grains.
The cultured kefir added to Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ processes antimicrobial
activity against a wide variety of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, helping to
eliminate destructive pathogenic yeast and internal parasites. The cultured kefir in Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ also contains a unique extract of colostrum. All mammals
produce colostrum, sometimes called "first milk" or "foremilk". Research has shown that
concentrated forms of colostrum are able to block the effects of harmful pathogens and
aid in the maintenance of a healthy intestinal tract. Colostrum also contains other
nonspecific immune factors including lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase, which help control
pathogens or harmful bacteria. These natural immune components can recognize and
resist multiple species of common bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococci, Streptococci,
Klebsiella, Enterococci, Pseudomonas, Clostridium Difficile, and Cryptosporidium.
Kefir is considered to be one of the richest sources of enzymes. It plays a vital role in
the development of a healthy digestive tract and helps improve the immune system.
Kefir contains minerals and essential amino acids, an abundance of calcium and
magnesium. Rich in vitamin B1, B12, calcium, amino acids, folic acid and vitamin K, it is
an excellent source of biotin which aids the body's assimilation of other B vitamins.
Other benefits include bowel regularity and decreased lactose intolerance. Evidence
shows that the appropriate strains of lactic acid bacteria in fermented milk products can
alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance by providing bacterial lactase to the intestine
and stomach. Kefir is recommended to restore intestinal flora while recovering from
illness or when being treated with antibiotics. It eliminates unwanted toxins and
pollutants in the body, just like antioxidants do with free radicals. Kefir enjoys a rich
tradition of health claims and is known around the world for its preventative
characteristics.
Making the Switch
Making The Switch To Better Nutrition
There are probably as many ways to do this as there are people and their pets. The
following general guidelines and specific ideas should get you thinking in the right
direction and help you make a decision as to how you will go about the switch with your
pet(s).
The switch can be rapid, straightforward and trouble free. An important factor to
consider is the diet you are switching your pet from. Where a pet has some experience
of eating a variety of home produced foods, both cooked and raw, there is usually more
acceptance and less likelihood of gastrointestinal upset on the part of the pet. With
kibble fed pets, the change is much more dramatic for their system.
There are two general methods of making the switch, "Rapid " and "Slow."
Rapid Switch
This is the simplest way to make the switch. You simply go ahead and do it! Yesterday
you fed your pet kibble or canned pet food, today you begin to feed Dr. Billinghurst's
BARF DIET™. Before using the rapid switch, you need to consider whether your pet is
suited to a quick transfer of diet. The general experience and consensus is, that the
rapid switch is the preferred, simplest, most trouble free and most successful method
for dogs particularly young and healthy dogs with a relatively normal gastrointestinal
system.
The rapid switch with pets that are older, pets with digestive problems or impaired
immune systems may not be appropriate. Many older pets that have been kibble fed all
their lives (and some younger ones for that matter) cannot tolerate both raw food and
kibble together in their digestive tract. That combination can result in diarrhea or
vomiting or both. In this case we have no choice, it has to be the rapid switch.
It can be helpful to allow your pet a one or even a two-day fast prior to making the
transfer. This allows for a small amount of detoxification and also brings to your
assistance a mighty ally, hunger! When you begin feeding the BARF DIET™, you may
divide the daily amount into two or three small meals.
Slow Switch
This method of switching your pet can take from one to four weeks, or up to six months,
depending on the circumstances. Some pets never make the switch completely, as
many pet owners leave their pet suspended between kibble and raw, "just to be sure
they don’t leave any important nutrients out." Not a great idea!
There are four basic ways to go about the slow switch.
1) You can offer one meal of the BARF DIET ™ followed by one meal of the old food,
and gradually feed fewer meals of the old type. If your pet accepts this method with no
problems it is a fair indication that he has a very robust digestive system and would
have handled the rapid switch extremely well.
2) The second way to go about it is to offer both types of food at the same time, and
gradually offer less and less of the old food and more of the new food. E.g. some kibble
and a chicken wing in the same bowl. Twenty five percent of the new food for a few
days, fifty percent for a few days, seventy five percent for a few days then one hundred
percent. On the other hand, some pets may develop gastrointestinal upset as they
cannot tolerate these two vastly different types of food in their digestive system at the
same time.
3) The third slow switch method is to physically break the old and new food down and
combine the two foods into a homogeneous mass. This way you can start out with small
amounts of the new and gradually decrease the old over time. This works well with a
pet that is reluctant to try the new fare.
4) Those pet owners who have always fed a home made but cooked diet may decide to
introduce the new food in a cooked state, and gradually feed it in a more raw state.
Dog owners whose dog is suffering from some an immune deficient state can cook Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET ™. Cooking is not recommended for normal, healthy dogs
Handling Raw Food Safety List:
animal requires a biologically appropriate diet. And if you think about it, not one animal
on earth is adapted to eating a cooked food diet.
The Benefits of BARF
One of the first things you will notice about dogs being fed Dr. Billinghurst's BARF
DIET™
is a new zest for life!
Teeth & Breath
Your pet will have much-improved breath, no tartar and beautifully clean teeth. All
without having to visit the pet dentist or brush the teeth.
Skin & Coat
This can be one of the first changes you will notice when you start feeding Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET™. If those persistent skin problems suddenly disappear or
improve, and you no longer need vet visits, medicated washes, antibiotics, cortisone
shots and cortisone tablets, it has to mean something. It really is hard to ignore the
deeply colored, lustrous, thick and healthy coat!
Immune System
Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ normalizes and strengthens the immune system.
Because BARF contains a good balance of essential fatty acids and other immune
normalizing and strengthening nutrients, it reduces inflammatory conditions and waves
good-bye to infections.
Degenerative Disease
Pet owners that switch their older pets to Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ usually find that
whatever degenerative disease their pet has contracted, becomes less of a problem.
Stool Volume & Odor
Once again this reflects the improved health of the immune system and the remarkable
difference that bone eating makes in the production of firm stools which are essential
for normal anal sac emptying.
Arthritis
After a few months you can expect to see much greater mobility in your pet. This is part
of the reason so many older pets have a new lease on life when switched to Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET™.
Lean Body Mass
By feeding Billinghurst's BARF DIET™, your pet will lose unwanted fat and gain that
much desired increase in muscle mass. This not only makes your pet look better, it
increases your pet’s metabolic rate, its activity levels and its healthy life-span. The
effect will be more rapid if you combine Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ with some normal
exercise.
Barf Diet Specifics
BARF DIET™
Getting down to ingredient specifics ...
BONES
For millions of years, dogs have cleaned up the remains of other animal's bodies.
Mostly bones. That ability remains. All modern dogs easily and joyfully tackle bones. A
dog's whole system is designed for and in fact needs bones to function properly. Bones
are living tissue composed of living cells. Because bones are living tissue, just like any
other part of the body, they are a complex source of a wide variety of nutrients. Bones
contain minerals which are embedded in protein. They also contain fat. If the bone is
from chicken or pork, then that fat will be very high in the essential fatty acids. Along
with the fat are fat soluble vitamins. The central parts of most bones contains marrow
which is a highly nutritious mix of blood forming elements, including iron. Raw bones
also provide natural antioxidant/anti-ageing factors including enzymes.
"It is not hard to pick the dogs that eat bones. They look and act healthy.
The acid test however, is to look in their mouth and smell their breath. I do this daily as
part of
a routine examination of all the dogs that enter my practice..."
Bones are nature's storehouse of minerals for your dog. If meat is added to bone, then
methionine and most of the B vitamins are supplied. Puppies and adult dogs fed bone
rarely if ever suffer from indigestion or diarrhea. They produce smallish quantities of
solid minimally offensive stools. It is highly probable that bones play a similar role to
fiber, that is, a role of bulking out the food, thereby removing toxins and promoting
general bowel health. Bone eating dogs are long lived healthy dogs. They seem to be
particularly free of the degenerative diseases of old age.
MEAT
Many people assume that a dog's natural diet is a meat only diet.
Unfortunately this is untrue as a meat only diet is highly unnatural and unbalanced.
Meat should form only a part of the over-all diet, which should include bone, fruits and
vegetables as well. For example, the muscle meat eaten by wild dogs forms a small part
of the diet that consists of a wide variety of other foods, including bone.
What nutrients are in meat?
Meat supplies protein
That is its major role in nutrition. It also supplies varying amounts of fat, water, and
some vitamins and minerals. Because it supplies fat and protein, it also supplies
energy. Meat is first class protein. That is, it contains all the essential amino acids
necessary for dogs of all ages, including growing dogs, pregnant dogs, female dogs
feeding puppies and of course not-doing-so-much-dogs.
Meat supplies energy
There are no carbohydrates in meat. That is no starch or sugar or fiber. As the fat
content rises, the percentage of water drops and so does the protein. As the fat
content of the meat rises so does the energy it can supply to your dog. The fat in
different types of meat varies in the levels of essential fatty acids present. Chicken and
pork have the highest levels while lamb and beef are both low. Lamb usually contains
more essential fatty acids than beef, but only because it has more fat.
Meat supplies some minerals
Raw meat is low in sodium and high in potassium. That is good news for dogs with heart
problems. The meat with the lowest sodium is beef, with pork also being fairly low. The
meat with the highest potassium is pork, with chicken having the lowest potassium
levels. This makes pork a good all round meat for heart patients. Beef, lamb, chicken
and pork meat are all very low in calcium and moderately low in magnesium. This
means they are great foods for dogs prone to bladder stones. However, this lack of
minerals requires bone material in your dog's diet. Beef and lamb meat are relatively
well endowed with zinc, making them good foods for dogs with a deficiency of zinc.
Chicken has low zinc levels with pork containing more than chicken but not as much as
lamb and beef. Of the meats, beef is the best source of iron.
OFFAL
In the wild, dogs eat the stomach content and organ meat from the animals they prey
upon. In fact, internal organs form a vital part of the wild dog's diet. Modern dogs have
similar requirements. Dogs consuming these foods as part of a sensible diet have
superior health to dogs that do not eat them. Although organ meats are valuable dog
food, they are not required in huge amounts. They are a concentrated source of many
essential nutrients and are particularly valuable during times of growth, reproduction
and stress as a source of concentrated nutrients.
Liver
In this one product is a vast range of important nutrition. Liver is the most concentrated
source of vitamin A and should be fed in small amounts on a regular basis. It also
contains vitamins E, D, and K in substantial quantities. Liver is an excellent source of
the minerals zinc, manganese, selenium and iron. It also contains all the B vitamins,
particularly B2, B3, B5, biotin, folacin, B12, choline, and inositol. It contains B1 in
adequate or smaller amounts and is a good source of vitamin C. Liver provides a
source of good quality protein and the essential fatty acids, both the omega-3 and
omega-6 type. It's a fantastic food for your dog!
Kidneys
Not unlike liver, kidney supplies good quality protein, essential fatty acids and many
vitamins including all the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Kidneys are a rich source
of iron and all the B vitamins. They also have good levels of zinc.
Heart
Like liver and kidneys, heart as dog food is an excellent source of protein, B vitamins
and iron. They do contain some essential fatty acids and a little vitamin A. Heart
contains appreciable levels of taurine which is important food... for the heart!
Unbleached Green Tripe
Green tripe is the edible lining and accompanying content of a cow or other ruminant's
first or second division of the stomach. Paunch tripe comes from the large first stomach
division and honeycomb tripe comes from the second division. Both wild canids and
domestic dogs benefit from eating tripe as it contains a very diverse profile of living
nutrients including enzymes, omega- 3 and 6 fatty acids, probiotics, and phytonutrients.
It has long been quoted as being "the finest of natural foods".
VEGETABLES
Dogs have actually eaten vegetables the whole period of their evolution, and that's a
long time! As such, vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables should form part of
the domestic dog's diet. Dogs need vegetables because they contain many important
health promoting nutrients. The fiber your dog obtains from raw vegetables includes
both soluble and insoluble fiber. Vegetables supply many other nutrients. Many of
those nutrients are the ones that have been found to be in short supply in the modern
dog's "civilized" diet. This includes difficult to obtain omega 3 essential fatty acids, most
of a dog's vitamin needs, masses of enzymes and various anti-aging factors, including
antioxidants and phytochemicals.
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the most nutrient dense foods. It is dense in vitamin C, beta carotene,
folic acid, calcium and fiber. It is also a good source of chromium. Like other members
of the cabbage family, broccoli has demonstrated remarkable anticancer effects.
Broccoli contains several important phytochemicals: beta carotene, indoles, and
isothiocyanates and over thirty-three cancer preventative compounds. Research
suggests that phytochemicals prevent carcinogens from forming, stop carcinogens from
getting to target cells and boost enzymes that detoxify carcinogens.
Spinach
Spinach contains twice as much iron as most other greens. Like other chlorophyll and
carotene -containing vegetables, it is a rich source of antioxidants. Besides beta-
carotene, it also supplies two other carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. Spinach has long
had a reputation of being very high in nutrients. It is a good source of fiber, calcium,
potassium and vitamins A, B6 and K.
Celery
Celery is rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and iron, as well as vitamins
A, B, C. The phytochemical 3-n-butyl phthalide, one of the components that gives
celery its characteristic smell and taste, is especially potent as an anti-tumor agent.
Along with the compound sedanolide, an aromatic ingredient also found in celery, 3-n-
butyl phthalide significantly reduces the incidence of tumors in laboratory animals. It is
said to decrease nervousness, and is used as an acid neutralizer.
Bok Choy
A cruciferous vegetable like cabbage, bok choy is an excellent source of Beta
carotene, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin and calcium. It contains significant amounts of
nitrogen compounds known as indoles, as well as fiber - both of which appear to lower
the risk of various forms of cancer. Bok choy is also a good source of folate (folic acid).
Carrot
The carrot is the king of the vegetables. It is the richest source of pro-vitamin A
carotenes among commonly consumed vegetables. But unlike vitamin A, beta carotene
and other carotenes in carrots do not cause toxicity. Beta carotene is also a powerful
antioxidant. Carrots also contain vitamins B, C, D, E, K, riboflavin, niacin, calcium,
potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and iron. Carrots have repeatedly shown to nourish
the optic nerve and significantly improve eyesight.
Capsicum
This is an excellent source of many essential nutrients. By weight, red peppers have
three times as much vitamin C as citrus fruit. Moreover, red peppers are quite a good
source of beta carotene, and they offer a good amount of fiber and vitamin B6.
Because capsicum stimulates circulation and enhances blood flow, it is considered food
for the circulatory system and as a digestive aid. Red peppers are one of few foods
that contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help prevent various forms of cancer.
FRUIT
Yes, dogs can and do eat fruit. Wild dogs - domestic dogs, they all do it! Remember
dogs are omnivores. They can eat almost anything. Fruits are mostly water. After that,
the major nutrient in fruit is soluble carbohydrate. That is simple sugars. Energy foods.
Fruit contains lots of fiber. It also contains vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. Because
fruit is a whole food, it also contains minerals, small amounts of protein and small
amounts of fat. Two nutrients present in most raw fruits, vitamin A as carotene and
vitamin C, make fruit a valuable food for your dog. The enzymes present in raw fruit,
also make it important as part of your dog's diet, particularly if your dog is past middle
age and showing the beginnings of degenerative disease.
Is it essential that dogs eat fruit?
No. All of the nutrients present in fruit can be obtained from other sources. However, by
adding fruit to the diet, we ensure a wide variety of foods. This gives the greatest
chance of providing a balanced diet with plenty of longevity and immune system
promoting nutrients. Any fruit can be fed to dogs, however tropical fruits are a
particularly valuable food as they contain lots of antioxidants. Scientists have
discovered that the enzymes and antioxidants present in fruit, many of which have not
yet been identified, keep the skin and indeed the whole body free of degeneration and
old age diseases.
Whole Apple
Unpeeled apples are especially high in non-pro-vitamin A carotenes and pectin. Pectin
is a remarkable type of fiber that has been shown to exert a number of beneficial
effects. Due to its gel forming fiber, it can improve the intestinal muscle's ability to push
waste through the gastrointestinal tract. Pectin also binds to and eliminates toxins in the
gut. Apples are also rich in beta carotene and vitamin C as well as several B complex
vitamins including vitamin B6, folic acid and lots of potassium.
Whole Pear
Pears are an excellent source of water-soluble fiber, including pectin, which makes
them useful in toning the intestines. Fresh pears contain potassium which is necessary
for maintaining heartbeat, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and carbohydrate
metabolism. Pears also contain Vitamin C. An important antioxidant, Vitamin C is
essential for helping prevent free radical damage.
Whole Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a good source of flavonoids, water soluble fibers, potassium, vitamin C,
and folic acid. Grapefruit, like other citrus fruits has been shown to exert some
anticancer effects in both human and animal studies. Grapefruit pectin has been shown
to possess similar cholesterol lowering action to other fruit pectins. The whole fruit
contains more pectin than the juice. Recently, grapefruit has been shown to normalize
hematocrit levels. The word hematocrit refers to the percentage of red blood cells per
volume of blood. Low hematocrit levels usually reflect anemia. High hematocrit levels
may reflect severe dehydration or an increased number of red blood cells. Grapefruit
seeds are well known as an anti-fungal agent in that their consumption kills many
different types of parasites and assists the body in producing beneficial bacteria. A
biologically active natural ingredient found in the seeds kills strep, staph, salmonella, e.
coli, candida, herpes, influenza, parasites, fungi and traveler's diarrhea, and is used as
an antibiotic, anti fungal, antiprotozoan and antiviral.
Whole Orange
Everyone knows that oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, but they have more
to offer nutritionally than just this nutrient. One orange contains generous levels of
folate (folic acid), potassium, and thiamin, as well as some calcium and magnesium.
Equally important to the nutritional value of oranges is their supply of flavonoids,
making oranges a valuable aid in strengthening the immune system, supporting
connective tissues, and promoting overall good health. Oranges have been shown to
protect against cancer, and fight viral infections.
WHOLE EGG
Eggs are absolutely brilliant nutrition for your dog. Eggs are a whole food, and often
regarded as having the perfect protein. It is the one against which all other proteins are
measured. Eggs contain a full compliment of minerals, including excellent levels of
calcium (mostly in the yolk), all the vitamins except vitamin C and a range of high quality
saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the nutrient lecithin and the whole range of
enzymes and other longevity factors always present in raw foods. The shell is included
as a further source of calcium. Egg yolks are an essential food for a dog with skin
problems. They contain sulphur containing amino acids, biotin, vitamin A, essential fatty
acids and zinc.
FLAX SEED
Flaxseed has been used for more than 10,000 years. The oil of the seed is a rich
source of Essential Fatty Acids. Essential Fats, or Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are
essential nutrients that the body can't produce itself. The only way to obtain these
nutrients is through diet. EFAs are polyunsaturated fats, which are considered "good"
fats. EFAs contribute to the healthy functioning of cell membranes, and are also critical
for the synthesis of eicosanoids, a family of hormone-like substances that help in cell
maintenance on a minute-to-minute basis. Just like other essential vitamins and
minerals, EFAs are necessary for good health.
Flaxseed contains bioactive compounds called lignans, which have been proven to
prevent cancer. Once consumed, lignans found in flaxseed are converted by bacterial
action in the colon to mammalian lignans. They are then circulated through the
intestinal tract and liver where their action is potentiated. In the body, mammalian
lignans have estrogen-like and anti-estrogen effects. Scientists believe the effects of
lignans on estrogen metabolism, in addition to their antioxidant properties, may explain
why diets rich in lignans have a lower incidence of cancer. Evidence suggests that
lignans may also be antioxidants, although the strength of their antioxidant activity is
not yet clear. Other studies indicate flax lignans reduce cholesterol and prevent
diabetes in animals. So far, scientists have isolated at least three flaxseed components
with potential health benefits. The first is fiber, valuable for intestinal health. The
benefits of the other two substances, alpha-linolenic acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid)
and lignans, suggests that these components may be helpful in prevention of heart
disease and perhaps in treatment of chronic kidney disease.
GARLIC
Garlic is nature's antibiotic. There is no doubt that garlic does confer some health
advantages. Garlic has been found to have effective antimicrobial properties, inhibiting
the growth of both bacteria and fungi. Garlic helps stabilize blood pressure and gives a
good solid boost to the immune system, keeping at bay infections of various sorts
particularly upper respiratory tract infections. Much of it's success is due to various
compounds of sulphur. Garlic is a health building and disease preventing herb. It is rich
in potassium, zinc, vitamins A and C, and selenium. It also contains calcium,
manganese, copper, vitamin B1 and some iron.
KELP
Kelp contains over 60 minerals and elements, 21 amino acids and simple and complex
carbohydrates, which promotes glandular health, especially the pituitary, adrenal and
thyroid glands. Kelp supplies a natural source of iodine and acts as an antibiotic to kill
germs.
ALFALFA
Alfalfa helps the body assimilate protein, calcium and other nutrients. This herb is a
body cleanser, infection fighter and natural deodorizer. It is the richest land source of
trace minerals and contains vitamins A, C, E, K, B and D. Alfalfa also contains
bioflavonoids, and eight digestive enzymes to promote proper assimilation of foods.
KEFIR
The history of kefir is centuries old. The word "kefir" is said to have originated from the
word "keif" which means" good feeling". Kefir is like yogurt, but with a greater variety of
cultures and significant health benefits. Unlike yogurt, which typically contains only two
or three different bacteria, true kefir contains a greater range of different
microorganisms, each with its own unique contribution. This is what separates kefir from
all other cultured milk products. Kefir is made by fermentation of "kefir" grains, which
resemble minute cauliflowers. The grains consist of casein and colonies of
microorganisms that are grown together symbiotically. Kefir can only be made from pre-
existing grains.
The cultured kefir added to Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ processes antimicrobial
activity against a wide variety of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, helping to
eliminate destructive pathogenic yeast and internal parasites. The cultured kefir in Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ also contains a unique extract of colostrum. All mammals
produce colostrum, sometimes called "first milk" or "foremilk". Research has shown that
concentrated forms of colostrum are able to block the effects of harmful pathogens and
aid in the maintenance of a healthy intestinal tract. Colostrum also contains other
nonspecific immune factors including lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase, which help control
pathogens or harmful bacteria. These natural immune components can recognize and
resist multiple species of common bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococci, Streptococci,
Klebsiella, Enterococci, Pseudomonas, Clostridium Difficile, and Cryptosporidium.
Kefir is considered to be one of the richest sources of enzymes. It plays a vital role in
the development of a healthy digestive tract and helps improve the immune system.
Kefir contains minerals and essential amino acids, an abundance of calcium and
magnesium. Rich in vitamin B1, B12, calcium, amino acids, folic acid and vitamin K, it is
an excellent source of biotin which aids the body's assimilation of other B vitamins.
Other benefits include bowel regularity and decreased lactose intolerance. Evidence
shows that the appropriate strains of lactic acid bacteria in fermented milk products can
alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance by providing bacterial lactase to the intestine
and stomach. Kefir is recommended to restore intestinal flora while recovering from
illness or when being treated with antibiotics. It eliminates unwanted toxins and
pollutants in the body, just like antioxidants do with free radicals. Kefir enjoys a rich
tradition of health claims and is known around the world for its preventative
characteristics.
Making the Switch
Making The Switch To Better Nutrition
There are probably as many ways to do this as there are people and their pets. The
following general guidelines and specific ideas should get you thinking in the right
direction and help you make a decision as to how you will go about the switch with your
pet(s).
The switch can be rapid, straightforward and trouble free. An important factor to
consider is the diet you are switching your pet from. Where a pet has some experience
of eating a variety of home produced foods, both cooked and raw, there is usually more
acceptance and less likelihood of gastrointestinal upset on the part of the pet. With
kibble fed pets, the change is much more dramatic for their system.
There are two general methods of making the switch, "Rapid " and "Slow."
Rapid Switch
This is the simplest way to make the switch. You simply go ahead and do it! Yesterday
you fed your pet kibble or canned pet food, today you begin to feed Dr. Billinghurst's
BARF DIET™. Before using the rapid switch, you need to consider whether your pet is
suited to a quick transfer of diet. The general experience and consensus is, that the
rapid switch is the preferred, simplest, most trouble free and most successful method
for dogs particularly young and healthy dogs with a relatively normal gastrointestinal
system.
The rapid switch with pets that are older, pets with digestive problems or impaired
immune systems may not be appropriate. Many older pets that have been kibble fed all
their lives (and some younger ones for that matter) cannot tolerate both raw food and
kibble together in their digestive tract. That combination can result in diarrhea or
vomiting or both. In this case we have no choice, it has to be the rapid switch.
It can be helpful to allow your pet a one or even a two-day fast prior to making the
transfer. This allows for a small amount of detoxification and also brings to your
assistance a mighty ally, hunger! When you begin feeding the BARF DIET™, you may
divide the daily amount into two or three small meals.
Slow Switch
This method of switching your pet can take from one to four weeks, or up to six months,
depending on the circumstances. Some pets never make the switch completely, as
many pet owners leave their pet suspended between kibble and raw, "just to be sure
they don’t leave any important nutrients out." Not a great idea!
There are four basic ways to go about the slow switch.
1) You can offer one meal of the BARF DIET ™ followed by one meal of the old food,
and gradually feed fewer meals of the old type. If your pet accepts this method with no
problems it is a fair indication that he has a very robust digestive system and would
have handled the rapid switch extremely well.
2) The second way to go about it is to offer both types of food at the same time, and
gradually offer less and less of the old food and more of the new food. E.g. some kibble
and a chicken wing in the same bowl. Twenty five percent of the new food for a few
days, fifty percent for a few days, seventy five percent for a few days then one hundred
percent. On the other hand, some pets may develop gastrointestinal upset as they
cannot tolerate these two vastly different types of food in their digestive system at the
same time.
3) The third slow switch method is to physically break the old and new food down and
combine the two foods into a homogeneous mass. This way you can start out with small
amounts of the new and gradually decrease the old over time. This works well with a
pet that is reluctant to try the new fare.
4) Those pet owners who have always fed a home made but cooked diet may decide to
introduce the new food in a cooked state, and gradually feed it in a more raw state.
Dog owners whose dog is suffering from some an immune deficient state can cook Dr.
Billinghurst's BARF DIET ™. Cooking is not recommended for normal, healthy dogs
Handling Raw Food Safety List:
- Always wash & disinfect surfaces-bowls -utensils.
- Thaw frozen food in sink of cold water or refrigerate till thawed.
- Refrigerated food remains fresh approximately 2 to 3 days.
- Don’t feed food frozen.
