What is Prey Model Feeding?

In constant pursuit of healthier food for my little beasts, I have switched from BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Meat) feeding to Prey Model Raw (PMR) feeding.

PMR is based on the knowledge that physiologically, the digestive tracts of our dogs, even the tiniest Chihuahua, are exactly like the digestive systems of their wild counterparts: wolves! PMR is meant to resemble, as closely as possible (within the confines of modern living) the diet that our carnivorous best friends have been eating for thousands of years. In the wild, packs of wolves will work together to hunt down a fresh meaty meal of bison, deer or other wild mammal. They then dine on the whole carcass. Bones, organs, muscle meat, fat, connective tissue, even skin and hair (or feathers, in the case of poultry) all make up the diet of the wild dog or wolf.

Prey Model Raw feeding is meant to be modeled on that knowledge. Since I am not exactly planning on going hunting and tossing Ella Bean and Louis whole, dead animals, fur/ feathers and all,  the next best thing is to use PMR guidelines to use ratios and proportions of these animal parts combined to make up the diet. For instance, I recently purchased a hormone free, antibiotic free, cage free baby duck from Whole Foods. I brought the duck home, cut it up into appropriate sized portions for Louis and Ella Bean and feed them the duck over the course of about a week - bones, organs, skin and all. I do the same with chicken and I also purchase beef parts (including heart and green tripe and other offal) to give them a rotation of different types of proteins.

Different protein sources ensure that the diet is well balanced and also keeps the dogs psyched to see whats getting served at each meal.

What about the bones? Do they present a choking hazard?

The short answer is, no.  Raw bones do not splinter and the ripping, chomping, tearing and crunching on the bones and meat gives my dog’s jaws and necks a healthy workout and keeps their teeth sparkly and clean.

Has a dog ever choked? Yes. It is vital to supervise your dog while feeding PMR and you may want to read up on performing the canine version of the Heimlich maneuver, just to be cautious. That said, by teaching your dog to take it slow, you ensure his safety (and eliminate a lot of gas! Dogs who gulp food swallow lots of air and in turn - create quite pungent odors!). Dogs used to eating kibble or BARF ground raw meat diets usually scarf down their food and don’t chew. To teach your dog to properly chew before swallowing, you can hold one end of his meaty meal while he gets to work on it for the first couple of feedings, until he gets the hang of it.

In order to limit the mess associated with PMR, I feed my dogs in what I call their ‘feasting cages’ (just basic crates). I always wipe the crates down with antibacterial wipes after meals to keep things clean. Its also a good idea to have grooming wipes on hand and wipe down paws and faces after meals, as things do get messy!

Why take this alternative path?

Besides pure interest in providing my pets with the best possible nutrition, I have become increasingly skeptical of allowing corporations to dictate the contents of my dogs meals. I like being able to select my own meats and meat and offal sources, use animals raised ethically and without the use of hormones or antibiotics and frankly, not support the pet food industry. There are plenty of great companies out there, but I just feel more comfortable whipping up my pup’s meals, like my food, myself!

The pet food industry would have us believe that exact ratios of nutritional elements are vital to our companion’s health. This farce supports the industry, keeping the corporations in business, since we pet-parents are clearly too ‘uneducated’ to make sure the diets of our dogs are nutritionally complete, we must buy their nutritionally complete products.

Well, is every meal you eat completely balanced? No! Of course not. We aim for nutritional completeness over time - eating different fruits, vegetables, grains and other sources over time, ideally resulting in healthy living. I apply this concept to my dog’s diets as well. Through research, I know what a healthy diet should look like and over the course of each week, make sure to provide enough variety to acheive optimum health!

I have worked with a vet to ensure that I am getting my pups everything they need and while this type of feeding may sound complicated and time consuming, I assure you, its really not. The most time consuming part is when I bring home a new hunk of animal and need to carve it up.

Once a week, I spend about a half an hour chopping up chicken or duck and then, its just a matter of ensuring I have the next day’s meal defrosted. The most time consuming portion is the actual feasting - in which all the work is done by the dogs anyway. My pups spend anywhere from 10-20 minutes chewing their meaty bones and slurping down organs. Its my quiet time! The dogs are safely confined, engaged in an activity they love and I just kick back and enjoy the quiet and watch my teeny pups behave like their wild cousins. Its totally like my own personal National Geographic!

For people with larger dogs, I imagine its even less time consuming as less portion control needs to take place. I bet a 75 pound dog could pack away a small chicken without much thought!

The benefits are many. Healthy teeth and gums; strong, developed neck and jaw muscles; shiny, thick coats and bright eyes and no suffering from allergies. My dogs also have excellent breath (no plaque!), very little doggy odor and their excrement is compact and has little to no odor. Now, don’t get me wrong, they both can still clear a room with their farts, but all in all, life with this type of feeding is a lot less stinky!

On another note…

So, yes, I am pretty down on the pet food industry and actually, our food industry as a whole. The 2007 pet food recall, the largest product recall in US history changed the way many Americans think about their food sources. The recall brought to light the tightly knit relationship between food safety, health policy, international trade and the relationship between government and corporations (Nestle, pg. 3). This recall ended up showcasing the capability gaps in safety standards, especially where international sources are used to produce and manufacture different resources.

Now, recalls have extended to human food products, children’s toys and many more consumer items. As responsible consumers, we must take ownership of the items we purchase, be they to feed our pets or feed ourselves and know where our products are sourced from.

No longer do we live in a society where our meats are slaughtered locally, our produce eaten seasonally and our grains baked at home. We are so far removed from the foods we eat that we do not connect what we ingest to what the product actually is…and so many processed and packaged foods (pet food included!) is so laden with chemicals, its barely food! No wonder obesity is rising at epidemic rates, both in humans and animals! No wonder cancer rates are rising, mental illness and immune disorders are on the rise…We all are what we eat.

This isn’t an issue of being ‘green,’ being a conscious consumer, or shopping at Whole Foods - it is about limiting the exposure living beings have to the toxins present in our foods, both processed and whole. We need to return to healthier, simpler ways of eating, emerging with our health and the health of our beloved companion animals, intact.

Nestle, Marion. Pet Food Politics, The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine. University of California Press, 2008.

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Hiya! The gorgeous Ella Bean here, coming at you, raring to write and back from my extensive travels.

Interestingly, my super handsome and beastly gentleman caller, Stanislaw and his brother Big Pupi were recently writing about the health benefits of a raw diet or BARF (that’s bones and raw food or biologically appropriate raw food, for those of you who are out of the loop on canine dietary concerns).

My big brother Lou and I have benefitted immensely from this dietary path and now, my uncle is eating raw meat too!

Sammi (full name: Samuel Nevada), a Maltese, joined my mom’s family when she was just a lil’ pup herself! Now, Sammi is 14 1/2 years old. Unfortunately, he has lost many teeth, his eyesight and much of his hearing. He suffers from hotspots and some internal yeastiness that causes a great deal of paw chewing.

In spite of his maladies, Uncle Sam is a pretty fun guy. He is rather sleepy and a bit grumpy, but I suppose I’d be grumpy too if I was as old as he is. He’s like, over 100 in dog years! Anyway, I climbed all over him and kissed his nose. He seemed to enjoy sniffing Louis and I and it was so fun to meet another canine family member. We all enjoyed cuddling and playing together.

Before we arrived, my grandparents told us Uncle Sammi was lethargic, mute and hadn’t been eating. Well, I tasted Uncle Sam’s food offerings and they were so gross that they weren’t fit for a filthy cat! (IAMS!!! YUCK!! We explained to Grandpa and Grandma that corn and meat byproducts aren’t really food!)

When Uncle Sammi smelled Louis and my beastly dinner of raw bones and meat, he let out a few unexpected woofs! Clearly, someone was interested.

With my grandparent’s permission, we let Sammi taste our delicacy of raw pheasant, which ol’ Uncle Sam ate like a vivacious young man of only 10 again! The grandparents were on board.

I, Ella Bean, showed them how to use enzyme supplements to help Uncle Sammi absorb much needed nutrients, how to use probiotics, how to use canned pumpkin to fix a sore tummy and most important, the hygiene required to safely feed raw.

What you may not know about me is that in addition to my beauty and intelligence, I am an experienced raw eater and am happy to assist my fellow canines in procuring the best possible meaty goodness out of their humans.

Sammi has now been eating raw for about two weeks now. In that time, Sammi has resumed vocal communication with both Louis and I, as well as his mom and dad and his coat is already a bit brighter and softer! Most impressive, Sammi has regained energy and vitality, and can now be found roaming around his big house outside of Washington D.C., rather then laying in bed all day.

Since Sammi is in the process of detoxing, he is emitting a little bit of yeasty odor, which is normal but he is digesting with ease and has already achieved the small, hard, odorless poop associated with raw feeding!

I am looking forward to watching Sammi progress on his diet and we expect to see his hotspots heal and a continued increase in his overall health and vitality.

Look forward to Uncle Sammi’s next raw diet update! Remember - you are what you eat! By avoiding fillers, by-products and chemical preservatives, both canine and human can be one step closer to achieving optimum health!

Kisses,

Ella Bean

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Here on Cup of Dog, we have made previous mention of the addition of tripe to a raw diet, discussed its many benefits and praised it for its healthy range of nutrients.

While perusing in our favorite dog store, we came across something new. Louis’ eyes perked up, Ella’s nub of a tail began to wag. A new, fresh canned tripe! At least, new to us. We have used frozen tripe, freeze dried tripe, but never before have the dogs had the opportunity to feast on fresh, stinky tripe.

I looked at the dogs and back at the cool looking can. Ingredients: Beef tripe, water, garlic, vegetable gum. Nothing too flashy…it was worth a try! The only heat this product encountered is during the canning process, so its as close to raw tripe as the dogs have had.

Upon opening the can, the most foul smelling odor I have ever encountered met my nostrils. My 12 pound Louis leaped on me he as if he was poked by an electric rod. Ella followed, jumping toward it as high as possible (she reached mid-calf). Good thing I taught the dogs to ’sit’ while meals are prepared!

“SIT!” I commanded them. Both doggie tushes plopped to the ground, eyes locked on the can.

I carefully added it to their dishes, while trying to breathe through my mouth. Tripe is basically ground cow stomach. The green color is from the partially digested grasses and plants in the cows stomach. It is rubbery and absolutely disgusting.

The dogs were ecstatic. The rubbery, natural tripe texture slowed down Louis and Ella Bean’s normally frenetic eating pace and both dogs chewed happily, eyeing each others bowls. As I scrubbed the stainless steel bowls, après-dinner, I started to give some more thought as to why I should continue to assault my nose for the benefit of my beloved dogs.

It is actually instinctive for dogs to eat nutrient rich green tripe. No wonder I got such an explosive reaction! I ignited their doggie instincts. When ingesting tripe, the nutrients in grasses, grains, naturally occurring gastric juices, amino acids and other digestive enzymes that have already been processed by the cow’s stomach are easily absorbed by the dogs. The gastric juices and enzymes are excellent for dogs; the amino acids aid muscular development and gastric juices keep teeth clean and healthy. While they digest, those juices and enzymes assist the dog to pull the maximum amount of nutritional benefits from their diet.

So, it is worth it, though my husband will never feed them the stinky food, so its left to me. I checked out food’s website, which proved as cool as the packaging. Tripett, the new food, was a success. As the website lists, benefits of tripe include:

• Improved appetite and digestion
• Cleaner teeth
• Dry and itchy skin problems improved or eliminated
• Coats with richer color, shine and lower susceptibility to fleas
• Calmer temperaments
• Decreased waste in feces

Being that these are all great benefits, I suppose we have a new supplement to incorporate into the fur kid’s diet. Remember, Tripett is not a canned food to replace a portion of a current feeding program. It is a supplement to a balanced diet. Additionally, if your dog happens to be one of the many with beef allergies, there are formulas by the same brand made from lamb tripe and a duck tripe/ salmon mixture.

What a fantastic find for city dwellers, like us, who don’t have a proper butcher from whom to get fresh, unbleached tripe! Don’t be alarmed by the pure nastiness of this product. This is the real deal, so there may be clumpy pieces of white fat, ingested hair and a range in color and texture that may vary by can.

Gives a renewed meaning to a BARF* diet, huh?

*BARF - Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones And Raw Food diet

For more information or to purchase, please visit www.tripett.com

Tripette image via www.tripett.com, cow image via www.primidi.com

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Given that my Louis just turned one on Monday and our unexpected addition, Ella Bean is just six months old, the past 9 months of my life have been steadily preoccupied with issues like potty training, basic obedience, diet and of course teething.

Teething happens in multiple stages for dogs. Their first set of teeth, known as milk teeth, appear within a puppy’s first month. When you acquire a puppy, the milk teeth are usually the first nippers you’ll see. At about four months old, these milk teeth will start falling out.

While teething begins at around four months, it can last up until their first birthday.

Teething is the bane of most dog owners existence. Teething can result in lost shoes, furniture and other damage if the pup is not monitored or confined at all times. It is also necessary to train puppy to chew on appropriate objects and toys through positive reinforcement. Chewing helps to aleviate the pain and pressure of the teething process. For dogs of all ages, it also relieves tension and provides stimulation. It is vital to have appropriate chews as your puppy goes through the teething stage.

Puppy breath is another issue that may be related to teething. A raw diet like I feed Louis and Ella eliminates a lot of smells, Louis and Ella never never get that ‘dog’ odor and the diet even reduces the stink of their stools. Louis, past teething always has great breath except after raw feasting or snacking on poo. Even though Ella is on the same diet, her breath smells. I have been training her to get used to toothbrushing, which helps the breath, but ultimately, with all of the teeth she is losing and growing, she is retaining some of her baby teeth and bacteria and food and gunk gets stuck between the ‘double’ teeth. When she has her spay surgery, the vet will also pull any baby teeth that haven’t yet fallen out to avoid this double tooth issue. This is very common in tiny breeds and is nothing to worry about it.

Just keep on observing puppy’s progress and if you see double teeth, consult with your vet to decide a timeline for when, if necessary, to do manual extraction.

Get the pup used to brushing using an enzymatic toothpaste before she or he grows his permanent teeth so you don’t meet resistance! Make is a positive experience with treats and praise! Raw diets promote dental health, which is a major issue in doggie health care. Know that the same plaque on a dog’s teeth is that plaque that builds up into the heart and bloodstream. Ewwww.

So anyway, Ella Bean is a little embarrassed that I shared her breath issues, but I assure her that informing other pups that its normal will make them feel better.

Ella also wants to share that a few drops of Bach’s Flower Essences Rescue Remedy directly on the gums helps to relieve teething pain. It can be bought by clicking the link above and its available at health food stores and some holistic pet shops.

In the mean time, Ella is a stinky tooth fairy, but we all know its just temporary. We are keeping her comfortable and trying to find the itty bitty lost teeth to save as keepsakes!

Dog pictures courtesy of Kara Sommer, photographer extraordinaire, and the fur kids aunt

Rescue Remedy image via www.rescueremedy.com

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I know I just did a comprehensive review of merchandise geared toward elimination assistance in Dog Poo Stuff, however, a few more products caught my eye and I had to share.

Another indoor/ outdoor dog bathroom has an urban look as opposed to the last doggie elimination stations I posted about. I love when design and function are hallmarks of a product! Named the ‘Doggie Loo,’ it functions the same way as similar products, with a drainage system that must be kept clean. However, its a fantastic option for dogs that live in apartments, elderly dogs and puppies and the eco-conscious folks. (Less dog poo outside means less e. Coli and roundworms sitting around in the grass, those bacteria can also enter our water and by avoiding pet stains on the carpet, owners are less likely to use toxic chemicals to clean up messes). Developed in Australia, the Pet Loo is available by visiting www.thepetloo.us.

Made by the same company is The Swoop, a poo picker-upper that grabs and bags poo with zero risk of hand to poop contact! Genius!

Also available at www.thepetloo.us.

Another issue plaguing many dog owners is the occasional bout with diarrhea. It is very important to feed your dogs a high quality diet (I recommend researching raw feeding. Nothing beats it. See the BARF-Raw Feeding category on Cup of Dog) and keeping your dogs intestinal track healthy in order to achieve maximum nutritional benefit during digestion and aiding in less waste. Dogs who are fed diets that utilize their digestive system’s natural design are known to have small, hard poops, making waste removal painless. Regardless, everyone gets a tummy ache over the course of their lives and in my experience the best thing out there for diarrhea is called Pet Flora by Vitality Science. Its truly a miracle product. I use it for Louis who has the world’s most sensitive tummy and it stops diarrhea right away. Read more about how it works in an older post I wrote, Pet Flora, Holistic Digestion Aid. Additionally the company makes a supplement called Canine Comfort that contains Pet Flora and can be used as a regular supplement for dogs with chronic digestive issues.Visit www.vitalityscience.com for more information.

Another ingenious product, for those lucky enough to have yards, is the Doggie Dooley. This in-ground waste digester system works like a home septic system by using environment-friendly enzymes and bacteria to turn dog waste into a ground-absorbed liquid. You deposit the poo and add water and digester formula that comes with the product. The Doggie Dooley comes in a variety of sizes depending on the number and size of pets you have. Visit www.drsfosterandsmith.com for more information.

To finish on a more humorous note, I found this calendar which is dedicated to dog poo. Lovely landscapes include some doo, for the dog poop obsessed. The 2009 calendars will be available in July, until then you can purchase greeting cards made from the same group of images. Visit www.monthlydoos.com for more information. This site also has plenty of other poop related items, including squeaky toys, treats and even doo shaped Christmas tree ornaments.

Wishing everyone happy digestion!

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Today is a huge day for me. First and foremost, I, Louis Reginald, turn one human year old (bring on the presents). Secondly, in honor of my birthday, I am starting my new column, Off the Leash with Louis. Additionally, April 14, 2008 is the day Cup of Dog has been honored with winning Dogmark’s Cool Dog Site of the Day!

In this column I will be chatting with other dogs to share our perspective with people. After all, we canines need a forum to express ourselves with all these humans around!

Our first participants are Stanislaw and his brother Big Pupi . They are two awesome Cocker Spaniels that author their own cool blog, I Eat Raw Meat. Since I also eat raw meat, we have plenty in common!
By the way, call me Louis. (Its pronounced like ‘Louie’ btw).

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Stanislaw Big Pupi

Louis: Stanislaw and Big Pupi, I really like catching up on your blog I Eat Raw Meat and following your gastronomic adventures. I especially like your menus, even though I drool a lot on the laptop when I read them. Why don’t we start by you two talking about how you found your humans.

Stanislaw: I was arrested by the dog catcher for peeing on private property. I wound up at a kill shelter and the Houston Cocker Spaniel Rescue came and saved me. I was a dangerously skinny, starving boy because I never had any humans to feed me. I lived by eating frogs and lizards that I found in the grass. Soon after, I was at an adoption day and I saw my future humans and their dog Big Pupi. They looked pretty nice, so I asked them if they would adopt me and feed me. Sure enough, they did. I’m around 1 year old.

Big Pupi: In a flash and a blur I wound up behind bars. I swear, I didn’t do it. I was there for over 24 hours, donning my Elvis ‘do and yearning for some belly rubs, when a lady from the Austin Cocker Spaniel Rescue came and took me home with her. Her house was awesome – fun dogs everywhere, fabulous feasting and lots of attention. I got a hair cut and wound up at some adoption days. Finally, I moved in with my mom, made it though heartworm treatment with her, and it’s been great ever since. I have no idea how old I am. I’ve heard anywhere from 4 ½ to 7 years, but my mom sticks with 4 ½ because she says I was such a “puppy-brain” when she first got me. I would have been about 2 then, and have since matured into the perfect boy that I am.

Louis: I live in Miami and it’s pretty easy for my parents to get me all the raw I desire. Tell me about where you live and if it’s easy for you and other raw eaters acquire the meat that makes tummies happy.

S: We lived in Texas and one day we went on a long drive and ended up in Chicago, where there is an endless winter. I miss swimming in the Colorado River, but I do really like Lake Michigan and the geese that live here. I hunt my own meat — you know, squirrel, pigeons, and such. I would be a great hunter if my dad ever let me off the leash. I haven’t actually caught a squirrel yet, so I’m lucky my raw meat comes from the magic meat locker in my kitchen.

BP: Our humans talk about co-ops, a meat packer and a local Yahoo! group that tips them off to meat sales. Stan and I have never gotten the chance to check out these magical meat locations. Our people just sort of arrive at home with mass quantities of feasting materials.

Louis: Wow! I lived in Chicago when I first moved in with my family. After a few months we moved to Miami, my mom said its so we won’t be cold. Anyway, have you always eaten raw meat?

S: I dabbled in some raw meat eating when I was a young pup. Frogs and lizards and such. When I was adopted, I started eating Canidae but my tummy didn’t like it and I was unable to gain any weight on it. I’ve been eating raw for 3 months or so.

BP: I started out on Nutro Naturals, moved to Science Diet as prescribed by my vet (bad experience!), then Canidae dry food and finally raw. I’ve sampled many kibbles and canned foods in my day, and I’m telling you… real meat is the way to go.

Louis: I will pretty much eat anything. I really like that white long paper thing I unroll from inside the bathroom and can drag everywhere. So soft and chewy….Yum. So, since my mom switched me to a raw diet at six months old, I can’t get enough! I am really a lot healthier and more important shinier. I like to look good. Why did your people decide to make the change from another diet to raw?

S: I was 15 pounds when I was adopted. I’m supposed to be around 25. Needless to say, I went on a major feasting campaign with the goal of gaining some serious weight. Kibble helped a little, but my body couldn’t process the grains. In other words, kibble goes right through me and I’m unable to absorb the valuable nutrients I need to gain weight. Since I went on the raw diet, I’ve gained around 4 pounds in 3 months and I’m up to 22 pounds. My body really loves raw meat so it keeps it instead of letting it all go out my bum. I’m a much stronger, healthier boy now.

BP: I’ve got terrible food allergies, and they were just getting worse on dry food. The list of things I could not eat seemed to be getting longer all the time, and the itchiness drove me nuts. Plus, my kidney function was never quite normal, and my humans couldn’t help but wonder if a new diet could help. The raw diet has eliminated about 99% of my allergies, and my kidneys are stronger than they’ve ever been. And as an added bonus, my teeth are sparkling clean.

Louis: I regularly enjoy a variety of raw meats, bones, and I like to snack on stuff from the floor. My favorite meal is pheasant. I also just tried venison for the first time! YUM! What do your favorite meals consist of?

S: Goat, tripe, that sock over there, some garbage, a couple Mexican takeout containers, that thing I found in the elevator, and some yogurt.

BP: I’d have to agree with Stanislaw and say that tripe is pretty awesome. That’s way up there on my list of favorite feasts. Even though femur bones aren’t necessarily a meal, I have to admit that I’m a sucker for that rich marrow. We’ve also got some heart, whiting and duck on order and we’ve never tried those things before… so my favorite list is subject to change. Pheasant sounds awesome too. I’ve got to get on that one.

Louis: My mom has recently added tripe to our diet too. Its great! What would you guys say to other dogs that want to eat raw meat and bones? Is there anything other dogs should be prepared for? I went through a yucky sick period, even though the food was better then anything I ever had, tummy got all out of whack. My mom said it was ‘detox’. Tell me about your experience.

S: The whole first half of my life was a period of detox, so I didn’t really mind that raw meat hurt my tummy for the first week or so that I ate it. I feel great now. A few days of sickness is well worth it in order to be able to wake up every morning and eat bloody goat meat in my bowl or a raw turkey neck in my feasting cage. My advice to other dogs would be ‘no pain, no gain’.

BP: Yeah, it was a rough couple of days there. I didn’t really feel or act ill, but my tummy was an absolute mess. I was waking my mom up at 3am for potty emergencies, and making frequent trips to my favorite vomit spot – the sofa. Our humans kept a close eye on us and make sure our systems weren’t being pushed too hard. I’m sure glad we made it though just fine. Man, I love to crunch those bones.

Louis: Besides eating, I love to hang out in the park, rip open my toys, sniff things, push around my sister, sleep, give lots of kisses and snuggle. What are your favorite things to do, other then chow down?

S: I like to mark over my brother’s spots, harass him and my humans with my lunatic antics, try to snag treats from my mom’s coat pockets (she’s always got some in there), chase dogs and do a million play-bows. I also like to talk a lot and I like to feast hard.

BP: Nothing’s better than a good hard run and swim in the lake. My heart also goes out to day-long hikes and agility… even though I haven’t been able to practice my agility since we moved out of Texas. I’m an all-out exercise kind of guy, but then I love to turn into a mush pile at the end of the day and scrunch up on the sofa with my humans and watch baseball. Oh, and severely thrashing my stuffed-singing-Christmas-tree-mouse-toy. I can’t forget that.

Louis: I really appreciate your taking the time to be a part of my new column. If there are any final thoughts you would like to share with our Cup of Dog readers, please feel free to howl!

S: Louis, you should ask your human to get you some goat meat. I’m sure you’ll love it!

BP: We appreciate your interest in our feasting blog, Louis. Good luck with your new column!

Thanks, Stanislaw and Big Pupi! I really am happy to have had the chance to learn about you guys and how the raw diet has helped you out. On my next trip to Chicago, we will have to catch up and go squirrel hunting and I’ll be pushing to get some goat meat! The mere thought makes my tummy rumble.

I am looking forward to future chats, will include an aspiring canine model, a fashion forward toy poodle and much more!

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After switching Louis to a raw diet and relieving the digestion problems that had been plaguing him since we became family, I was handed a copy of Australian veterinary surgeon Dr. Ian Billighurst’s book, The BARF Diet, Feeding Dogs and Cats Using Evolutionary Principles. This book is considered by many the primer for raw feeding and it covers a broad range of subjects, including the scientific principles upon which the diet is based, the health benefits, supplements and making the switch.

Reading the book gives a lot of solid information for raw skeptics and makes certain to address the haters out there. Raw feeding is one of the most controversial topics today in terms of pet care. I was told by my last veterinarian that I was going to kill my dog and I was a terrible parent. Ouch!

OK, so before I up on my high horse about the quality of care Louis receives, let me attempt to simply address what it about raw that makes this such a sore subject. For today, I am going to focus on just three key points.

Detractors argue that us BARF-ers are putting our pals at risk for parasites bacteria such as Salmonella, e. coli and others and that the feeders are also at risk since we are handling the meat. Food-borne pathogens are the central point of the anti-raw argument.

The anti-raw movement also suggests that it is a fad with unsubstantiated health benefits. I found one website claiming that BARFers “will not tolerate ANY opinion other than their own and are extremely hostile toward anything that challenges their belief system.” Again, OUCH!

Another major risk BARF-ers are taking on are the bones, which might splinter, causing major internal damage in a pet.

OK, so there are risks. I don’t deny it. My feeling regarding the issue of bacteria is that BARF-ers need to use common sense, extreme hygiene and stainless dishes.

Beyond that, we need to consider that the animals we are feeding regularly eat crap off the street and some, even straight out of kitty litter boxes, without much disturbance. A healthy dog is pretty resistant to bacteria. Resistant - not immune. It is extremely important to follow stringent hygiene practice while raw feeding.

Its also important not to let your dog French kiss anyone right after a good raw meal. Brush his teeth, give him a bone, just remember that he just consumed raw meat and use common sense.

It is also important to remember that all food has its risks. I know I am not the only one who has plunked down a lot of cash for a high end meal only to end up sick to my stomach from some bacteria. Food poisoning happens in spite of everyone’s best intentions.

I know that this is a risk I am taking as a BARF-er. I take this risk because I know that my other options, kibble and a home prepared diet aren’t without their own risks (I am reminded of the recent pet food recalls and the fact that e. coli has been found present all over the world in human foods).

Regarding the claim that the health benefits are unsubstantiated, I have to say, my dog is finally healthy. After months of diarrhea and vet bills, it was the raw feeding finally helped my Louis digest happily. His coat is shinier then ever, his teeth clean, his stools solid, his temperament calm. He is clean and smells great. I am not the only one who has experienced this miracle. My fellow BARFing advocates would not be howling the praises of this diet all over the internet with such intensity were there no benefits at all. Those who experience the power raw feeding has feel compelled to share the health their pet’s experience.

Regarding our hostility toward non-BARFers, I know I don’t feel this way and my local community of BARFers are a pretty relaxed group of individuals. Everyone needs to do what is best for them and their dog. We all subscribe to different belief systems and are entitled to our beliefs and opinions. Let’s all work toward finding the best way to promote health in our pets and not alienate each other over what we are feeding.

As far as avoiding bones that splinter - YES! Hello, common sense! Some people have tossed raw bones to their pets that resulted in death or injury from splintering. Most BARF-ers I know use ground bone supplement to avoid this.

Non-BARFers have also encountered this horrible occurrence when they decide to give a raw or cooked bone straight off an animal to their pet.

This is the tip of the iceberg as far as the raw debate goes. I don’t think that the anti-raw movement is wrong. They bring up valid points that should be considered by anyone who might embark on a BARF diet. I just don’t think BARFing is wrong either. I endorse it, its how I feed my dog.

Louis is my heart - I work every day to make his existence as pleasurable and easy as possible. BARFing has helped him and many other dogs. I encourage all pet owners to make their own decisions and do their own research, and if nothing else, considering how evolutionary principles might play into a healthy diet for our pets is an interesting notion for animal lovers.

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I am just learning about raw feeding for my pet (also referred to as the BARF diet or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), so I would like to thank my co-worker Michelle Thomas, for editing and contributing her knowledge and own experience to this post.

Michelle is a student of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and basically is my dog nutrition ‘go to’ person. As I learn more, I plan to continue to post on the subject of raw feeding.

The Poop Chronicles have discussed that Louis’ dad and I have been truly at our wits end trying to get our baby boy to digest his meals and relieve himself without discomfort for him and we wouldn’t mind if the large brown stains all over the carpet ceased as well.

A number of weeks ago, when things just couldn’t get any worse for the poor baby and he had progressed to vomiting in addition to the diarrhea, we decided to try and make the switch to a raw diet. The extremely nutritious high protein food we were giving him seemed to be no easier for him to digest then the poor commercially manufactured food we started with. I learned some dogs do have trouble digesting extremely high protein kibble and a reason for that might lie in the disconnect in the way processed food is digested versus the way dogs and cats are designed to eat and digest. Raw food contains living enzymes and probiotics which aid in digestion. A kibble no matter the quality of ingredients can not adequately mock raw food it will always be lacking the vital life force destroyed in heat processing. Natures Variety Instinct, which Louis was eating, attempted to replace this vital force post heat processing with a freeze dried raw bio-coating, but nature can not be fooled and Louis’s sensitive little tummy knew better and was not happy.

As my limited knowledge on the subject understands, dogs and cats are carnivorous and designed to digest nutrients that raw foods have to offer. Heat processing destroys Amino Acids and vital nutrients such as taurine present in raw meat.

Even the highest quality kibble or canned food diet will be deficient in some nutrients (as admitted by the reputable pet food company Solid Gold, who recommends adding their supplement, Seameal, to all of their foods to help replace the vital nutrients lacking in proccessed foods.)

Through utilizing human grade raw food, some companies are manufacturing raw diets for our pets that mimic the natural way canines are designed to eat. After all I doubt Fido and Fluffy’s ancestors were huddling around a campfire cooking their nightly catch. Raw food advocates claim a plethora of benefits. By receiving a whole diet including amino acids, fatty acids along with the vitamins and minerals naturally available in the raw food, a stronger immune system is sustained and common health problems (i.e. fleas, dental and gum disease, allergies etc.) can be managed and prevented in a more natural way, making your pet more comfortable and setting him up for longevity with a healthy life.

Feeding raw is intimidating at first. We, as consumers, are trained to think that scientists and veterinarians have spent care, time, money and energy into making commercial pet foods that will sustain the health of our pet and raw diets are usually frowned upon by the average vet.

Brands such as Nature’s Variety, Dr. Billinghurst’s BARF Diet, and Primal Pet Foods are only a few brands of the companies that are manufacturing complete, healthy raw diets that meet your pet’s nutritional needs. In addition, they are pre-packaged and have easy to use guidelines for feeding amounts to simplify the process.

After months of diarrhea, Louis’ digestion was not regulating and I was still not ready to put him back on more useless antibiotics. Feeling that things simply couldn’t get worse, I switched him to Nature’s Variety Raw Frozen Diet Beef Formula . The next day he literally had his first semi-solid stool. Over the next week and a half, his digestion continued to improve and now is like clockwork. He is energetic, bright eyed and his coat has never been shinier. His stools are regular and pretty much odorless, his breath is non-offensive and even if I forget about bath time for over a week, he doesn’t have that ‘dog’ odor. As he was in a pretty toxic state, we are watching him evolve and detox, requiring a little more ear cleaning then usual and some more shedding then I have seen, but these are natural and very mild detoxification effects that are only progressive steps toward his overall health.

I feel like we are finally starting to see his true personality, a silly little hairball, interested in everything with a never ending desire for playtime and his tail wag has evolved to include his whole tush!

We have since added Primal brand’s meats to give some variety to his diet to maximize the different health benefits that multiple meats have to offer and I am amazed, at about three weeks into this adventure, to see the transformation Louis is still undergoing.

Michelle Thomas, my co-worker, had her own amazing experience with a raw food transformation and her French Bulldog rescue Mojito.

Mojito is a 16 month French Bulldog who was rescued from a puppy mill at the age of 9 months. Who knows what poor quality food he was fed there, but when Mojito came to me he was lethargic, not interested in food, he had a horrible body odor and was very shy. His stools were loose and foul smelling and the second night we had him he had uncontrollable, explosive diarrhea in his crate. To top it off, every morning I woke up to him vomiting food that was still undigested from his dinner the night before. First, I tried the high quality Wellness dry and canned food, but he was not interested in it at all. I then decided to try the Innova Evo dry food, which is grain free, wanting to ease him into a raw food diet. He enjoyed the taste, but this only increased his digestive problems making the diarrhea worse. I was fed up and decided to make the switch, cold turkey, to the raw meat diet. I also added some acidophilus probiotics to the meat to help re-balance his large intestine. The results were amazing. In two days his explosive diarrhea ceased and his stool was at least solid enough to pick up. The vomiting decreased and then ceased after about a month. I was even more excited at the fact that my shy little guy began coming out of his shell and was developing a goofy personality wanting to play with his toys he previously ignored. I was saddened that he had been feeling so horrible before, due to lack of proper nutrition. Mojito also transformed in his looks as well his dull eyes now sparkle he has a brilliant brindle coat and he is a lean, mean, muscle machine! (Sorry, cheesy!) I was amazed at the results, but also learned that I had to be patient for Mojito to be balanced as his body was so horribly toxic prior to beginning the raw food. It took about three months to get him balanced.

Below, see Mo before and after his raw food transformation.

Mo Before

Mo After

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The food brands we mentioned above all have incredibly informative websites that assist with feeding guidelines and recommendations for transition and safe handling. We would especially like to direct you to www.barfworld.com, which has a plethora of information on Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

Both Mojito and Louis have benefitted from this holistic feeding method and we are amongst a growing population of raw pet feeders exploring all of its healing potential. As solid research begins to bring to light evidence on the power of more alternative ways of living and eating, it has been a journey for me to open my mind to the reality that we truly are reflective of what we ingest and through this power, we each have the opportunity to maximize our whole selves.

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