The canine BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) diet has become increasingly popular among pet owners seeking a more "natural" approach to feeding their dogs. This diet, also referred to as RMBD (Raw Meat-Based Diet) in the veterinary community, centers around the idea of feeding dogs a diet that mimics what their wild ancestors would have eaten. While some owners and even veterinary professionals tout the benefits of raw meat diets, it is crucial to understand both the potential advantages and risks before making a decision. This article will delve into the components of a BARF diet, the claimed benefits, the potential risks, and the scientific evidence surrounding this controversial feeding method.
What is the BARF Diet?
The BARF diet is based on the predator-prey system and aims to provide dogs with food consisting primarily of raw meat, with a high proportion of "meaty bones" and organs. In addition to these core components, fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils, and herbs are often included, with eggs and dairy products given in smaller amounts. Grain products are generally avoided, although some carbohydrates like potatoes or pulses may be included.
The trend of feeding raw foods to dogs and cats was apparently started in the early 1990’s by an Australian veterinarian who wrote a book promoting the virtues of feeding raw food to dogs.
Common Ingredients in a BARF Diet
- Muscle meat, often still on the bone
- Bones, either whole or ground
- Organ meats such as livers and kidneys
- Raw eggs
- Vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and celery
- Fruits like apples or other fruit
- Some dairy, such as yogurt
Perceived Benefits of the BARF Diet
Owners who choose to feed RMBDs report that their pet has a healthier body condition, higher energy level, shinier coat, cleaner teeth, and normal bowel movements. A raw diet is often considered to be the ancestral diet of pets.Advocates of the BARF diet claim several benefits, including:
- Improved Digestion: Proponents argue that raw food is more easily digested by dogs than processed kibble, leading to better nutrient absorption.
- Healthier Coat and Skin: A shinier, healthier coat is often reported by owners feeding raw diets. This may be due to the high fat composition of the diet.
- Increased Energy Levels: Some owners report that their dogs are more energetic on a raw food diet.
- Cleaner Teeth: Raw bones are believed to help clean teeth and improve dental health.
- Smaller Stools: Due to better nutrient absorption, dogs on a BARF diet may produce smaller and firmer stools.
- Addressing Food Allergies: Commercial or home-prepared raw diets can be medical problem solving for dogs and cats that have developed food allergies, especially to common meats such as chicken and beef. Most commercial raw pet food limited ingredient diets (LID) are made in the company’s own grinding and mixing machines, and are generally not cross contaminated with other proteins, and are usually grain-free.
- Improved Immune Function: RMBDs may result in improved immune function. As 70% to 80% of each animal’s immune system is located within the intestinal tract wall, it is not surprising that food has a major influence on immunity, and therefore on disease predilection.
The "Natural" Argument
A central argument in favor of BARF diets is that they are more "natural" for dogs, aligning with their evolutionary history as carnivores. Wolves, the ancestors of domestic dogs, primarily consume raw meat, bones, and organs. BARF proponents argue that feeding dogs a similar diet is more biologically appropriate than feeding them processed kibble made with grains and fillers.
Read also: Canine Kidney Diet: Ingredient Breakdown
Potential Risks of the BARF Diet
Despite the claimed benefits, the BARF diet carries several potential risks, which have been documented in studies published in veterinary journals. These risks include:
Nutritional Imbalances: Concerns over whether the diet is complete and balanced according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, especially with small companies which use only whole food ingredients, avoiding synthetic nutrient supplements. It is difficult to get all the vitamins and minerals from natural ingredients into muscle-based food in an economical combination. Vitamins and minerals usually must be added to a diet of meat and vegetables, and the calcium to phosphorus ratio needs to be approximately 1:1. Homemade raw diets are particularly prone to imbalances, as they may not be formulated by a qualified nutritionist and may lack essential nutrients. Studies have shown that BARF diets often have the wrong calcium-to-phosphorous ratio, have far more saturated fat than typical dog foods, have dangerously high levels of Vitamin D, and contain below-minimum concentrations of Vitamins A and E. Some of these imbalances can cause rickets and hyperparathyroidism from the nutritional imbalances.
Bacterial Contamination: Raw meat and bones can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter. Freezing, freeze-drying, or dehydration results in a reduction in bacterial counts but viable pathogenic bacteria survive. These bacteria can pose a health risk to both the dog and the humans handling the food or coming into contact with the dog's feces. While dogs may be less susceptible to gastroenteritis from these bacteria than humans, they can still become carriers and shed the pathogens in their feces, spreading them throughout the household.
Risk to Immunocompromised Individuals: Raw food is not appropriate for any dog or cat whose immune system is suppressed because of significant disease or immune suppressant medications. Pets with severe disease such as moderately advanced heart, kidney, or liver dysfunction, diabetes, or cancer should not be fed a raw diet that may contain pathogenic bacteria. The presence of children under 5 years of age, the elderly, or any person who is immuno-suppressed in the household is a real concern.
Injuries from Bones: Possible damage from ingestion of bones can include injuries in the mouth area and tooth fractures, bones lodging in the throat or esophagus, constipation, ileus, and even gastrointestinal perforation.
Read also: Managing Canine Lymphoma with Diet
Toxicity from Certain Foods: There is always the risk that an owner preparing a homemade diet may, through ignorance, employ ingredients that are poorly digestible or even poisonous. Although most dog and cat owners know that items such as chocolate, grapes and onions are poisonous, other products are often discussed, recommended and sold as being suitable for inclusion in BARF diets. A good example is garlic, which is often considered to have both health-promoting properties and a repellent effect against ectoparasites. Not only is there no scientific proof for this, garlic actually damages red blood cells. The same goes for broad-leaved garlic or chives, which are sometimes fed as “healthy herbal side-dishes”. Proponents will often respond to warnings by saying that such products are fed at well under the toxic dose, but it is not known if long-term intake of small amounts of such products are actually harmless or not, and therefore feeding all onion-type plants to dogs and cats must be advised against. Contain lectins and tannins (which damages the gastrointestinal mucosa), trypsin inhibitors (which impair protein digestion) and cyanogenic glycosides (which can cause cyanide poisoning). Uncooked contains cyanogenic glycosides.
Thyrotoxicosis: Studies have already shown that dogs fed meat containing thyroid tissue can develop hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis. In fact this is a problem which is not potentially unique to raw feeding, since thyroid hormones are heat stable, but BARF diets frequently contain meat sourced from the head and neck. In addition, the trachea and larynx are often sold as chew treats and may even be purchased as a canned product in some countries. Since no safe dose is known, such products must be regarded as unsuitable for feeding.
Scientific Evidence
This author could find no peer-reviewed articles that showed significant medical benefits from feeding RMBDs. There are many non-peer reviewed articles that suggest benefits to pets with food allergies, atopy, gastrointestinal disorders, idiopathic epilepsy, and cancer.
While many owners report positive outcomes from feeding a BARF diet, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited. Some studies have shown that raw diets can alter the intestinal microbiome and improve stool quality. However, robust evidence for many of the other claimed benefits is lacking.
Several studies have documented the presence of harmful bacteria in raw pet food. A study by the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine found that raw pet food was more likely to contain disease-causing bacteria than other types of pet food.
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The American College of Veterinary Nutrition cites studies that have shown that BARF/RMBD diets often have the wrong calcium-to-phosphorous ratio, have far more saturated fat than typical dog foods, have dangerously high levels of Vitamin D, and contain below-minimum concentrations of Vitamins A and E.
Veterinarian's Role
Veterinarians play a crucial role in advising clients about the BARF diet. They should:
- Discuss the potential benefits and risks of raw feeding with the owner.
- Emphasize the importance of food safety and proper handling techniques.
- Advise on ensuring the diet is complete and balanced, either through a commercially prepared raw diet or a home-prepared diet formulated by a qualified nutritionist.
- Consider the individual pet's health status and any underlying medical conditions that may make a raw diet unsuitable.
- Inform clients about the safety issues for the family members and the pet.
- Record all advice and the owner's decision in the pet's medical record.
- Veterinarians should inform clients about the safety issues for the family members and the pet. Every pet diet should be complete and balanced. The additional cost and time that feeding a raw diet involves also need to be considered. All this information must be recorded in each patient’s medical record.
Recommendations for Pet Owners
If you are considering feeding your dog a BARF diet, it is essential to:
- Consult with your veterinarian to discuss the potential benefits and risks for your individual dog.
- Choose a commercially prepared raw diet from a reputable manufacturer that follows strict quality control standards, or work with a qualified veterinary nutritionist to formulate a balanced homemade diet.
- Practice strict food safety measures when handling raw meat, including washing your hands thoroughly and disinfecting surfaces.
- Monitor your dog's health closely for any signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.
- Be aware of the potential risks to other members of your household, especially young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.