The Top 50
Most Frequently Asked BARF Questions
Newcomers Ask!

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IMPORTANT:  The following information serves ONLY as a guide to those who are new to feeding their pets Bones & Raw Food.  Yes, COMPLETELY RAW FOOD (nothing cooked), INCLUDING RAW BONES.  NEVER, EVER FEED COOKED BONES TO YOUR PET because cooked bones WILL splinter and cause severe internal damage, possibly even death.  Each animal's needs are unique; therefore, YOU will need to make the ultimate decision what is best for your pet -- healthwise and nutrition wise.   The questions and answers that appear on this page are the most frequently asked questions newcomers to BARF have asked, along with the corresponding suggested answer.   This information comes directly from experienced BARFers, as well as the books written by Billinghurst, Schultze and Pitcairn.  Again, this is ONLY a guide, and NOT a bible.  They are in no particular order and I will do my best to update this page frequently.  

And also be sure to check out the BARF Tips & Tricks page, as well as MORE Most Frequently Asked BARF Questions Newcomers Ask, on this site, before you leave.  Must-reading is also the main BARF FAQs.  You'll find the links at the bottom of this page. 

Purchase ALL your BARF & Pet Nutrition Books at our Book Store!

This page is NOT a substitute for medical advice.  If you feel (use your gut instinct) that something physically may truly be wrong with your pet, don't hesitate to drop off a stool/urine sample to your veterinarian or even get your pet to an animal hospital ASAP.

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How do I get started?

The first thing you should do is some reading/research on the raw diet. There are a few books recommended and they can be purchase at this site's bookstore, through DogWise.  The books are: "Give Your Dog A Bone" and "Grow Your Pup With Bones," by Ian Billinghurst, and  "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet" by Kymythy Schultze.  Both of them go into great detail about the diet and how to get started.   If you just want to get started right away, feeding nutritionally complete meals daily, my recommendation would be to go right to Dr. Billinghurst's BARF Diet website here.

You can also visit the BARF Webring site.    Here you will find many people's stories about how they feed BARF and what led them to the transition from kibble. Take your time and  do your research, and then you will be ready to begin. I lurked on the Main BARF list for about 6 months before I was ready to take  the big plunge.  I encourage everyone reading these FAQ's to join the Main BARF list here now/today, which picks up where these FAQ's leave off.

Most dogs do better on a cold turkey switch rather than half-kibble and half-BARF. Remember to keep things simple for the  dog when you are starting. You might start with chicken or turkey and feed wings, necks or backs for the first couple of days. Let their body get used to the new foods before you start feeding them a huge variety of foods. Some dogs might not know  what to do with the bones at first, but they will get the hang of it. If you have a small dog or a dog that doesn't get the hang of it, you can try crunching the bone into smaller pieces, or holding one edge of the bone for them.

For veggie meals, I would start with bland veggies with a bit of lean ground meat. Wait to add the richer foods, such as liver  and eggs, for a few weeks. I would also wait to start adding any supplements until you are settled into a routine.

These are just some of the basics of the diet. Your research will provide you with more detailed information on how to get  started.  Good luck and happy barfing.     Back to top of page

I'm really scared to start, and I feel so overwhelmed...can someone send me some encouragement?

Most of us felt the same way you do when we first started BARFing our pets.  We thought it was very complicated (and maybe even more expensive), but have actually found it's much easier than kibble, or maybe that we all feel so good about what we're feeding them now--it just seems so simple now.  Many of us believe the fact that BARF is less expensive than kibble too.  Yes, it can feel very overwhelming at first, especially when thinking of supplements, how much to feed, meat-to-bone ratios, the veggies, and don't mix this with that, but once we finally relaxed and came to understand that it's a balanced diet OVER TIME, life got much easier.         Back to top of page

Is it possible to see some sample meal plans?  I really think seeing what I may be feeding will help alot!

TIP : Make a calendar - jot in on a ten day basis if feeding 1x/day 7 meals of RMBs, 2 veggie meals and 1 meat/offal meal I  also throw in a fish meal now and then.  As Dr. Billinghurst says - this is not etched in stone.  If you have no RMBs one day - then take a few veggies and an egg or can of fish, puree and serve.  Happy Crunching :)       Back to top of page

Should I switch cold-turkey or is gradual better?

Most dogs do very well being switched over to BARF cold-turkey, but the change over should be done 'easy.'   It is recommended that when you are ready to begin, don't try and rush things. Take is slowly. Try to keep the diet bland and simple at first. This is particularly important for older/middle aged dogs. Don't overload your dog with the 'good stuff' - he may not be able to handle it yet - particularly after a lifetime on kibble. Start with just some lean chicken or turkey necks or backs only for the first couple of days, keeping meals small to begin with and don't let your dog overdo it. Once the dog has settled into this, add some bland veggies with a bit of lean mince (ground meat).

The veggies do need to be pulped up using something like a blender, juicer or food processor. You are aiming for something a bit like the vegetable matter found in the stomach of a prey animal. The reason for this is that dogs can not digest cellulose. Cell walls of plants are made of cellulose, so for our dogs to get the nutrients out of them, we need to crush the cell walls. Chopping them up only crushes the cell walls on the outside, leaving the bit in the middle pretty much unavailable to them nutritionally. Cooking them will also destroy the cell walls, but as this also destroys a lot of the nutrients and enzymes in the veggies, it kind of defeats the purpose.

You can start adding richer food like eggs and liver (and maybe leaving a little bit more fat on the chicken/turkey) after a week or two once your dog is used to the simple diet. And after you have got the hang of it for a few weeks, THEN start thinking about adding supplements, if you want to. Don't try to do it all at once. It is also suggested that with dogs new to the BARF diet that you stay away from the harder or fattier bones for at least a few months (and perhaps longer, particularly for older dogs). Give them time to develop some 'strength' in their digestive system first.   Please be sure, whenever switching your pet's diet, to add plenty of digestive enzymes and probiotics daily, to ensure smooth transition to the new food.  Probiotics should be continued daily, even after transition, to ensure a constant supply of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.  Learn more here.   Back to top of page

I'm still researching BARF, and am not quite ready to make the change.  Can you recommend an alternative food that is just as healthy, in the interim?

Proper research can take several weeks or months, depending on your time and desire to feed a more natural & holistic diet.  One should never embark on such a drastic diet change without doing the proper and necessary research.  The first alternative I'd like to recommend is Dr. Billinghurt's BARF Diet.  Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ is nutritionally sound and nutritionally adequate. This means - in addition to containing those nutrients which “must be present” in processed pet foods, the Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ diet also contains many other essential nutrients. These are the nutrients found only in whole raw foods. Furthermore, all of these nutrients are present in their biologically available form. In other words, this is a diet that goes well beyond the standards laid down for modern processed pet foods.

Another alternative I'd like to recommend is HealthyPetNet's Life's Abundance, 100% all natural & holistic foods for dogs & cats, made of 100% all natural, human-grade ingredients.  HealthyPetNet also carries a full line of all natural pet care products, canine and feline supplements!   Other excellent alternatives would be to go with a holistic pre-mix food like Dr. Harvey's, a prepared raw diet like Oma's Pride or even Verve, Force or Embark, which is a dehydrated holistic dog food line.  You have a choice...   Please be sure, whenever switching your pet's diet, to add plenty of digestive enzymes and probiotics daily, to ensure smooth transition to the new food.  Probiotics should be continued daily, even after transition, to ensure a constant supply of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.  Learn more here.

Can I feed kibble AND BARF?

Yes you can, but seriously, why?  OK, I know change can be difficult, so please allow me to explain.  Kibble and raw food are digested differently, and should NEVER be fed together, in the same meal.  If you feed dry kibble at the same meal as the raw meat, you are increasing the amount of time the food is in the body, and increasing the possibility of illness from microbes. So, if you want to feed half & half, feed kibble one meal, raw the next.  Your dog will probably be the one who will let you know, before you do, that BARF is IN and kibble is OUT!  :>)   But, if you really feel the need to feed kibble (alone or in addition to BARF) or just haven't made up your mind to switch completely to BARF, you may seriously consider a super premium all natural, holistic dog and/or cat food, such as Life's Abundance, which contains all natural and human-grade ingredients, including digestive enzymes/probiotics and grape seed extract (antioxidant)....and NO Corn, No Wheat and No Dairy, formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, nationally recognized holistic veterinarian.       Back to top of page

How much do I feed daily?

Remember this is only a place to start - adjust everything up or down, depending on your dogs condition.   

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I'm a Vegetarian and do not want to feed meat to my pet. Can I still feed a raw diet?

Absolutely, you can feed your pet a vegetarian diet.  But the most important thing you will need to remember, since your pet won't be getting any meat, is to feed high quality protein with the meals, just as you do.  The amino acids in meat are essential nutrients, and if you're not feeding meat, your pet will get all the necessary amino acids from tofu, grains and beans.  As you learn more about feeding a raw diet, you'll likely bump into many people who are totally against feeding grains.  Feeding grains is a personal choice, and does work well for many.  It is suggested that the protein be rotated because each and every protein source you choose has a different amino acid chain and concentration.  It is also highly recommended to seek out organic grains and beans.  Oils are also an essential ingredient in a vegetarian diet, so make sure these get alternated as well, once a week!

Putting together a proper and nutritionally complete vegetarian diet for your pet can be quite as complex as the traditional raw diet.  You must do your research before plunging in!  An absolutely EXCELLENT alternative, while you're researching and learning, is Dr. Harvey's.  The foods come complete with organic grains, vegetables, herbs and some required supplements.  All you need to do is add your protein source and essential oils...and you have a nutritionally complete meal for your dog or cat.  The food is also an excellent choice for pet owners who want to feed a traditional raw diet with meat or who want the convenience of a home-cooked meal for their pets.      Click here for more information.

What exactly is the difference between Raw Meaty Bones & recreational bones?  Which should I feed?

RMBs are soft enough for the dog to chew up and eat - things like chicken carcasses/backs/necks/wings, lamb necks, oxtails, turkey necks, etc..., which make up an RMB meal.  Recreational bones, on the other hand, are larger bones that the dog will chew on but will not eat the whole bone - things like beef marrow bones, femurs, knuckle bones, etc...  Weight-bearing bones can also be given (chicken legs/thighs), but they are a bit more difficult to chew (especially for a small animal).   When giving chicken legs/thighs, remember to supplement with eggshell powder or bone dust, to even out the calcium/phosphorus ratio.

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What is the best way to start my older dog on BARF?

It is best with an old dog to keep the diet fairly bland and low fat when changing over. I would suggest adding some probiotics to the diet to help restore good bacteria into the system to fight the bad bacteria and help increase immunity. You can do this by adding yogurt with live cultures in it to the diet or by getting some kind of probiotic supplement.  If you are feeding grains, you may wish to either reduce the amount or remove them altogether, until your dog has adjusted to his new way of eating.

Remember to start slow, adding a new food item every few days...build up the number of items slowly as you and your dog begin to get the hang of it.        Back to top of page

I'm really concerned about salmonella.   Am I over-reacting?

When first starting BARF, many people were actually overly compulsive and obsessive with regards to possible salmonella poisoning.  In fact, I was one of them.  I wore latex gloves when handling the chicken and I never allowed one tiny piece of chicken to touch ANYTHING in my kitchen.  I was totally neurotic.  After a couple of weeks of BARF, I began to relax a bit.  I now use my bare hands when handling and practice proper food handling techniques.  Knock on wood, none of my dogs or family members have gotten sick.  To this day though, I won't allow ANYONE into my kitchen when I'm wrapping 80 pounds of chicken backs....NOT UNTIL I'M DONE and everything's been wiped down with Thieve's Household Cleaner (yes, it even kills salmonella).  :>)

According to an FDA news release, "salmonella is not harmful to dogs". The message? Salmonella is everywhere - not just in  raw meats. Employ basic hygiene practices, wash your hands and keep surfaces clean - just as you would when handling your own food. Simple, really!    If you want to read more, then you'll find the article on The Question of Bacteria in Processed Pet Foods.    Back to top of page

Is my dog experiencing detox?

When switching a dog over from commercial dog food to BARF, the dog's body may begin the process of ridding itself of toxins and impurities as it adjusts to the intake of proper nutrients.  This process is called detox.   Depending on the overall health of your dog, detox may last one week, one month or even several weeks...or not even at all.  The most common symptoms of detox include vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath and itchy skin.  It is normal for any of these detox symptoms to get worse before they get better...just don't give up and hang in there.  Keep your dog as comfortable as possible during this process.  Go slow on introducing new foods, to make sure there are no allergies.  Pure pumpkin in the can (not pumpkin pie filling) works magic to firm stools quickly.  Provide plenty of fresh water, but limit excessive water intake immediately after meals, as your dog may regurgitate.  Give plenty of Vitamin E and C (the C to bowel tolerance) to help boost his/her immune system.        Back to top of page

Why is my dog drinking less water daily?  Should I be concerned?

No, there is absolutely no reason to be concerned.   Raw food is full of naturally occurring water!  All the moisture needed to digest raw food is contained in raw food!

Although a lower sodium intake is part of the reason that our BARFing dogs drink less water, the real reason is that raw food has not had the water removed like kibble has.  The different between kibble and canned dog food is the water content...they leave the water in the canned and dry out the kibble. It takes a lot of water to re-hydrate those little nuggets!

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How does one measure the food when switching from kibble to BARF?

I must admit I prefer the 'cold turkey' approach of switching rather than a slow switch.  Try starting with around 2 to 3% of your dogs bodyweight (more for pups - up to about 10% for them) and adjusting from there.  It is not an exact science and every dog is different so be prepared to adjust as you go along.  Not getting it quite right is not really a problem as long as you accompany this with observation of your dog so you can watch for changes (losing/gaining weight).

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Why do I need to separate certain food items, like RMBs, veggies and grains, and why can't I feed them together?

He goes on to mention this can also help in preventing pancreatitus.

Also, grains and meats should not be fed together but veggies can be feed with either, with no loss of nutrients.  Fruits, except apples, should be feed alone and at least twenty minutes before or after anything else.     Back to top of page

Is it o.k. to feed grains?

Grains are not a natural food for dogs. It is not something they would eat in the wild. Those grains they would have access to  would be in small quantities eaten from the stomachs of prey animals who had (in the right season) eaten some grasses that  had seeded. These grains would also not look like our modern grains - more like wild rice (check it out at the supermarket and  compare to domestic types). 

Grains are also full of carbohydrates which can be easily converted to sugars.  Cancer cells feed on sugars and it is believed  that by decreasing the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, we may greatly reduce the risk of cancer (which is a growing  problem among modern dogs).

So, in answer to your question, yes, grains can be fed; however, please keep the following in mind (when feeding grains), taken directly from a Dr. Billinghurst seminar:   grains are not a natural food for dogs; dogs do not, in fact, need carbohydrates; carbohydrates are easily converted into sugars which feed cancer. Remove the carbs and the cancer has less/nothing to feed on; and grains are one of the major causes of allergies in dogs, and can also cause flatulence (gas..PHEW!!!)!.

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