Here are some more common questions related to feeding a BARF diet…

How can I switch my older dog to this diet?

Slowly. That’s the best advice we can give. When you take your older kibble-eating dog and switch her over to a BARF diet, it’s important that you do it slowly and blandly. That is, start her off with some bland and low-fat foods and slowly add new foods each week until she’s adjusted.

For older dogs, many also suggest adding probiotics into her diet to fight bad bacteria and increase her immunity. You can do this by feeding her yogurt that contains live cultures, or you can add a probiotic supplement to her diet.

But the best advice is to begin slowly and blandly and then add foods as you see how your dog tolerates them.

Can I feed my dog kibble while feeding a BARF diet?

No. In short, you must choose either a kibble diet or a BARF diet. In fact, switching your dog back and forth can wreak havoc on her stomach.

If you must integrate some kibble into her diet for whatever reason, keep the RMB and veggie meal days separate from the kibble meal days. So, you might feed her RMB and veggie meals one day and kibble meals the next day.

Most people who are passionate about the BARF diet argue that dogs fed this diet should never be fed kibble as well, and we recommend an all or nothing attitude also. That is, if you decide to feed your dog a BARF diet, stick to that decision and don’t waffle by adding some kibble to your dog’s diet. If you aren’t sure about doing the BARF diet, perhaps you need to do more research before switching your dog over rather than also feeding her kibble to calm your personal concerns.

Where can I get raw meaty bones?

Aside from the grocery store, which can be the most expensive way, your best bet is to find a local butcher who can provide you with raw meaty bones for your dog. Use your yellow pages, and look up butchers or wholesale poultry distributors.

If you buy in bulk (consider purchasing a standalone freezer to keep your dog’s BARF product in), you might be able to procure a good discount on your dog’s raw meaty bones.

I’m afraid my dog will have stomach troubles

The primary concern with eating a BARF diet is that your dog will be constipated. If you find that your dog is having either very hard stools, or is straining, up the number of veggie meals you provide and reduce the RMB allotment. Dogs, just like us, need fiber to keep things moving.

Should my dog fast?

In the wild, dogs don’t generally eat every day and many dogs will naturally fast themselves when they need to. We should listen to them. Many advocates of the BARF diet will have their dogs fast on days that would be stressful – like a travel day or a day that includes a trip to the vet. You can also choose to regularly give your dog a fast day, but do this no more than once a week.

Many recommend that before you start your dog on the BARF diet you have her fast for a couple of days first. In essence, that gives your dog’s body a chance to expel the “old” food before bringing in the new.

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