Living Green

Our four legged friend, Baxter, had been having quite an array of skin issues over the past couple of months.  Our initial trip to the veterinarian was for ear problems. After a diagnosis of allergies she prescribed an antibiotic and steroid shot. The shot suppressed his immune system and the itching subsided briefly. After a few days he was worse than ever itchy, red and irritated all over. A second opinion yielded the same diagnosis and treatment along with recommendations to begin allergy testing. These treatments were only a temporary fix of the external symptoms. I knew there was a deeper issue and began to look elsewhere for answers.

I took Baxter to see his favorite groomer, Karen, at Wag’N Tails Pet Resort. She recommended a raw food diet. She explained a little bit about how this is the natural way that dogs would have eaten in the wild before becoming family pets.

Raw dog food diets are becoming increasingly popular as people are looking for a solution to their pets “allergy” problems. The grains in the foods we feed our pets are the #1 cause of their allergies. Commercial dog foods typically use grain as their main ingredient due to its cost effectiveness. Cooking what little meat that is in the food takes away most of the nutritional value. Add in a variety of preservatives, dyes, fillers and salts and it’s no wonder that over time man’s best friend becomes sick.

This diet is also known as the BARF diet. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. Although it is not new, here in the United States it slowly disappeared around 1940 as commercial dog food companies began to emerge. The diet is pretty simple consisting of muscle meat, bone, organ meat, raw eggs and fruit & vegetable materials. It’s a fresh, well-hydrated, and varied diet where the enzymes and amino acids have not been altered by cooking.

The benefits to feeding raw are plenty. People report better breath, cleaner teeth, shinier coats, healthy skin, smaller stools, higher energy, boosted immunity, less odor, improved muscle tone of the jaw and shoulders and a more appropriate rate of development for puppies. Feeding raw is the natural way to maximize your pet’s health, reduce vet bills and ensure that Fido will be around for many more years to come.

People’s main concerns with feeding raw are that of injury from inadequately chewed bones, bacterial contamination and dietary imbalances. Raw bones are flexible and don’t tend to be any more of a choking hazard than kibble. There is also the option of having the bones ground into a hamburger like consistency before feeding. Bacteria are present in raw meat and using good hygiene is always recommended. Feeding raw is no different than cooking chicken for your family. Most dogs’ immune systems are strong enough to handle the common bacteria found in raw meat. As far as dietary imbalances are concerned you should always do your research and consult with a veterinarian who promotes the raw food movement.

When purchasing raw food there are a variety of companies you can buy it prepackaged from such as Natures Variety or Primal Pet. Many times the more affordable option is to contact your local butcher or farm. Much of what you are interested in feeding your pet is what these processors consider scrap. There are many recipes online or at the local book store which will help you create the perfect balance in your pet’s diet.

We have been feeding Baxter raw for almost a week now. The changes we noticed were pretty immediate. Within 24 hours he was itching almost 90% less and his energy level has went up dramatically. I assume it will take a little while for his body to rid itself of some of the residues of the commercial food but the results so far have been great. We are currently using Natures Variety lamb mixture. Our first order for chicken pet mix will be ready for pick up soon from Otto’s, a local organic chicken farm.

I would always recommend finding a raw food veterinarian who can help you through this process and to answer questions you may have. This diet is great for most dogs but there are always exceptions to the rule. With the internet at your fingertips there’s no reason not to do your own research as well. I know for us it’s made a huge difference in Baxter’s quality of life, it sure is nice to see him happy and healthy again.