how long have you been feeding BARF?

[babyray]

I brought this up on another thread but I think it warrants its own attention. Please, everyone, tell me how long you have been feeding BARF! I'd love to hear from everyone.
Lesli:)

[Barbara Surplus]

Well, further to my post in the other thread, I've been feeding BARF for almost three years. No dead dogs littering the yard from choking on bones or collapsing in a writhing mess from bacteria overload. Happy dogs who love their food. No health issues other than Sammy limping for a few months last spring that was cleared up with homeopathics. Hasn't returned.
Hope this helps.
Barbara

[babyray]

It does-thanks!:D
Anyone else? Thanks for your comments!

[brunie's mom]

I have been feeding BARF for 4 years . When my dog was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia I read everything I could about it... one of the suggestions to help was the BARF diet.
There are times I feed Canidae, I live way out in the country a sometimes have a hard time getting a regular, well priced supply of meat. When I can't get chicken backs, necks, organ meat.. I feed the Canidae... they have no problems switching back and forth.
I have never had any sickness, skin problems, ear problems, bowel problems in the 4 years.
My foster that I adopted last year has also been eating BARF for almost a year now... again healthy, shiney coat and full of energy.

I have talked to a few of my customers about their sick dogs and they decided to change to the BARF diet too. There has been 7 dogs so far and all of them have been made healthier by changing to BARF. Some have come off of their prednisone, some off of their thyroid medications, no hot spots, clean teeth and happy healthy dogs.:)

It is scarey to start... every thing you have been taught about giving bones to a dog is thrown out the window... but once you see happy healthy dogs... it's great:)

Gina

[flyballmom]

I just made the quantum leap about 2 weeks ago. Everything was going fine...THEN-my Rott and my Pit both got this awful, nasty watery diarrhea (sorry for the mental image!) My first thought was "Oh my God. I've killed them." I frantically did some research and have decided it was due to the giant meaty lamb shanks I'd given them the day before. I discovered that lamb is too rich for their systems, and the result is the runs. Another strike against the lamb is-my little terrier didn't get any, and no diarrhea for her. I also believe I added too many new foods too suddenly. They are fine now-and I'm going to try to stick with it.

[Michele Baxter]

I've personally been feeding a totally 100% BARF diet for a little over a year. I've fed a modified super premium kibble along with some BARF for about 5 years.
I decided to totally switch last year when I brought the puppy home. She has been raised on it. When I saw the results with her, the other two got weaned off kibble and put on BARF all the way. My $200 per month Rimadyl bill for my 10 yr. old rescue is now $0. I don't need to give it at all anymore. :)

There is a lady in my local kennel club who is my source for some of my natural products. She has bred GSD for over 10 years feeding a BARF diet. Her dogs have done wonderfully. She also has a pet day care and obedience facility. So I get to see them when I go pick stuff up from her. I know she hasnt published any studies :) but from the things I've learned from her and the things I've learned from forums, books, etc. It just seems to make sense that I'm giving basically the SAME food that is in kibble--only I'm giving it fresh, raw, and with no chemicals and preservatives.
But it IS a personal choice and you've got to do what you feel comfortable with. :) If you don't feel comfortable with bones you can always grind them until you do feel more comfortable. I know people who will use a meat tenderizer hammer to break the bones up some also. If the issue of germs bothers you, I recommend hard freezing all meat before feeding, which helps kill germs. I soak the chicken in apple cidar vinegar which is also a natural way of ridding the meat of germs. I wash counters, utensils, etc. with Clorox kitchen wipes, and thoroughly wash my hands after handling the meat. I also run their bowls through my dishwasher daily after they are finished eating.
Sorry this got so long, again, I understand it's a difficult decision, but it's yours to make and you have to do what YOU feel is best for YOUR dogs. Because no ONE diet is suitable to every dog.
Good luck, and I'm happy to answer any other questions you may have as best I can. :)

[Homerhomer]

one year of barf feeding here, never a problem, just did blood work on him and everything came as it should, very happy with it.
For more testimonials on how long people feed barf visit this group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BARF/
You will find many that are new to this and some that feed this way 20 years or more.

[Teena]

We've been at it 9 months here. Happy healthy dogs with coats you love to touch, because they are oh so soft. :)
We adopted Cooper (boston terrier) in Feb this year. I decided to let him settle into the household before I began him on barf. He had other ideas and refused to eat the dogfood. He wanted what the big dogs were eating!
:D

[Roscoe's dad]

My Christmas present to Guido was to take the plunge. WE have not regretted yet. But I will say this, before you make a choice know what you are doing, you can do more harm to your dog on barf if you dont look into it first, and research, than if you feed a premium kibble Know what you are doing.

[rottnkidd]

Hi Lesli - I've been feeding raw since my girl was 5 mos old. She turned 2 yrs on April 29th. I can' imagine feeding her any other way. If I had know then what I know now, I would've been feeding her raw when we got her at 8 wks. Do your homework, ask questions, and we'll be here to rally for you!
kathy

[Kev]

We've been feeding Marley 100% BARF for about 3 weeks now, she loves it, this is the first time she has eaten every day, with kibble she'd only eat about every 2 to 3 days.

She is looking great, shinny coat it now feels almost like velvet, very soft, her teeth are looking whiter, more energy and a total look of satifaction.

I have to admitt that the first time I gave her a chicken back bones and all I was terified but she didn't choke and I didn't see any bone fragments in her poop so it's being fully digested. We will never feed her or any other dog we may have anything but BARF. It's great! :D

[Teena]

Kev I know what you mean. ;) My lab ate just enough kibble to keep her alive. I threw out more than she ever ate.
Now she enjoys mealtime and licks her bowl clean. It'a great feeling isn't it? :D

[Carol Burke]

I have been feeding BARF for almost four years. I have three litters that have been raised totally on barf and, like Barbara, I have no dead dogs littering my yard.

I have had no problems with choking, upset stomachs, etc. My dogs are all in excellent health and range in age from 17months to 8 years. My old girl who died recently at almost 12 started on barf at age 9 and loved it.

[babyray]

Thanks,all!
I am still reading and researching. Like many BARFERS have suggested, I am doing my homework!:D

[Kev]

Originally posted by Teena
Kev I know what you mean. ;) My lab ate just enough kibble to keep her alive. I threw out more than she ever ate.
Now she enjoys mealtime and licks her bowl clean. It'a great feeling isn't it? :D

I am very happy that's she's eating every day instead of every 3-4 days. She looks like she's getting bigger in the chest and hips but she doesn't weigh any more still 95 lbs from a month ago. Must just be filling out some more.

One thing I am finding though is she doesn't eat her vegge slop as well now. We have to put it down and take it away and try it a little later. I think it because she would rather eat the chicken backs, but she has to have her veggies also. Other than that small inconvienence everything is going great.