Ann Blanton Let's talk health, fitness, nutrition and everything in between

This is my dog, Peaches. Isn’t she adorable?

Proper nutrition is just as important for our four-legged friends as it is for humans.

To barf or not to barf

by Ann Blanton

Do you and Fido spend hours at the vet for allergies, dry itchy skin, hot spots, dental problems and a host of other diseases? If so, have you considered switching your cherished companion to an all-natural food plan? It may sound difficult, but after you read this blog post, you’ll have all the information you need to put your pet on the road to good health and nutrition.

Maybe you’re one of the millions of people who currently practice good nutrition. If so, has it improved your health; maybe even extended your life? Good nutrition is just as important for your pets’ health as it for humans, so why not do the same thing for your loyal companion? With proper nutrition, your four-legged friends can be just as healthy, happy and free from disease as their owners.

What is it?

Barf, which means, bone and raw food, consists of fresh meat, including bones and vegetables that are uncooked unlike commercial dog foods. What’s more, the barf diet is organic, not processed, has no preservatives, grains additives; fillers or byproducts; and contain only the highest quality of fresh ingredients.

The fresh food plan was designed to improve the health of your pet with evolutionary nutrition. Holistic veterinarians have been prescribing the barf diet to their patients for many years with beneficial results. “I agree with the barf diet, because it is based on what dog’s ancestors and current wild canids eat,” says homeopathic veterinarian, Dr Susan Maier. “It contains what their bodies naturally need to provide optimum health.”

Raw or ground?

That’s up to you. But, if you’re like most people, with little or no free time, preparation can be very time consuming. A number of web sites offer fresh quality ground meat, (bones included) and vegetables that are properly prepared, prepackaged and ready to be delivered frozen right to your door. All you need to do is thaw out the package in the refrigerator and serve your dog his favorite meal.

By now, if you’re thinking how disgusting this sounds, consider this. Although, your canine is a beloved family member, all dogs are still considered hunters and scavengers who thrive on raw meat. That’s why dogs who barf, make cheerful and much stronger companions for years to come.

Let’s take a look at some of the healthy benefits that raw foods provide.

Teeth, gums and breath – When feeding commercial dog foods, most dogs accumulate tarter build up which often leads to bad breath and sometimes even tooth loss. Hence, when feeding raw crunchy bones, you won’t have to worry about expensive cleanings because it naturally eliminates plaque and freshens breath.

“Dogs on raw food have healthier mouths and overall, very little tarter. Some of the “doggie” breath is related to an imbalance of micro flora in the gut,” explains Dr. Maier. “The odor may come from the mouth or stomach. Processing kibble often destroys many nutrients in the food, leading to an imbalance in the micro flora.”

Skin and coat – If you’re dog has dry itching skin, a sparse coat or infections, the barf diet is just what the doctor ordered. “By providing the proper nutrients, in the most digestible form provides the building blocks needed for a healthy coat,” Dr. Maier says.

Allergies – “Many allergies are because of poor nutrition, causing leaky gut syndrome,” says homeopathic veterinarian, speaker and author, Dr. Christina Chambreau. “Most dogs’ allergies resolve because of the nutrition and improved vibrational pattern.”

Disease – “Every disease can be helped with a fresh food diet as it provides the nutrients needed for health,” explains Dr. Chambreau.

Foods to feed –  Feeding Fido proteins like beef, chicken, lamb, turkey, pork, vegetables and fruit can improve physical well-being. You might also consider adding dairy and yogurt to Fido’s new diet. Thus, when feeding yogurt, make sure it contains active, live cultures. These cultures are a natural form of Probiotics that help aid digestion.

Foods to avoid – Dr. Chambreau says, “Avoid grapes and raisins because of the recent deaths caused from them. Avoid large amounts of onions, (garlic is ok). No chocolate.”

Supplements –  Calcium is an essential vitamin; but if your dog is consuming crunchy raw bones, calcium is not necessary.

Water consumption – Unlike highly processed kibble, the water from a fresh food diet has not been removed. The barf diet has a higher moisture content, so if Fido is drinking less, don’t panic.

Making the transition – According to Steve Brown, co-author of “See Spot Live Longer”,  a properly prepared raw diet is a gradual process. “A good way to do it is to feed raw for one meal and kibble for another. The more fresh food for dogs, the better. There are many types of raw diets, but a properly prepared, ancestral-type diet is best because it is high in protein, has balanced fats, low in carbohydrates, antioxidants and a trace of mineral rich,” he explains.

Tips to remember – Always wash your hands after handling raw food. Keep counters clean and sanitized and thoroughly wash your pet’s bowl after each meal to prevent bacteria from setting in.

Now that you know all the basics to improve the optimal health of your best-friend, a properly balanced all-natural diet is by far, the best approach. If you’re still in doubt, here are a few helpful links for more information.

www.HealthyAnimalsJournal.com

www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm

www.EatWild.com

You can also purchase some useful books at the following links.

http://www.seespotlivelonger.com/home/sll/page_10

http://www.seespotlivelonger.com/home/sll/page_9/unlocking_the_canine_ancestral_diet.html

I would love to hear your feedback, so send me all your comments.

I’ve had many articles published at Fitness Plus Magazine. Here’s the link to view them if you want to check them out. http://fitplusmag.com/magazine/author/annblanton/  Currently, I just had my first short story titled, “Shattered Spirits”, published as an anthology in a book titled, “Heartscapes”.