ARF Diet - Species-Appropriate Raw Food

By Christine Swingle

One of the many scams on the public for the last 50 plus years has been the introduction and recommendation that we feed our dogs dog food. The majority of the veterinarian community has continued to promote this scam. Why? Consider vet students have barely any study of nutrition and the pet food industry underwrites the textbooks?

How many of you have really stopped to think about the stuff that you dump in a bowl and present to your hungry companion, day after day, year after year? Do you know what dog food is made of? Would you be shocked to know that euthanized dogs and cats are rendered and end up in dog food? Have you contacted the manufacturer of your brand of dog food and asked where they get their ingredients? Ask them if they can prove they don't use dead dogs and cats, road kill, dead, dying, diseased and disabled animals in their food? Chances you won't get the simply answers you seek. The famous buzzword is "proprietary" information. That means you don't get the answer. It's a big secret! The pet food industry keeps a tight lid on its practices. If they were using quality ingredients, I'd think they would want to advertise that fact and answer the questions of the consumer. Read Giving Our Westies the Health In Which They are Entitled.

You are what you eat and the same applies to all living things. To change the "natural" raw diet of a species and instead, feed it a food that is cooked and processed, high in carbohydrates (dogs have no dietary requirement for carbohydrates), of poor quality ingredients (remember the dead dogs and cats?), with a touch of chemicals, dyes, sugars and fillers, is it any wonder digestive problems are so widespread in dogs today? The pet food industry has a great marriage with the leftover garbage of our society. Take anything, heat it high and add some flavoring and then chemicals to make it look good to the consumer and presto-your dog's nutritious diet? If more people would be as particular of what they feed their companions as they do their children or themselves, I suspect our dogs would be healthier today. This knowledge only comes from education and the desire to WANT to know. We live in a quick fix society, a very busy society where most people don't 'make' the time to do things that they should do. Unfortunately, with each of these short cuts come shortcomings and our companions (as well as us) are paying the price. Just think how much you paid to your veterinarian in a given year and you'll know what I mean?

True good health does not come from just diet alone, but it is and must be the foundation to that good health. If you don't put the CORRECT fuel into something, it isn't going to work very well. Oh, sure, processed dog food will sustain a dog's life, but at what price? You don't see many kibble fed dogs living to a ripe old age without disease, illness or other health issues, including allergies, periodontal disease and digestive problems. By the way, did you know that processed dog food PROMOTES tartar buildup and gum disease? Properly raw fed dogs do NOT have periodontal disease. IT IS PREVENTABLE!!! Read Dr. Tom Londsdale's book, Raw Meaty Bones for more insight on this topic.

As you continue your reading you will learn why our dogs should and must be fed a good variety, over a week's time, of raw meats, offal, raw meaty bones and some vegetables. You will learn that the dogs' digestive system has been and continues to be designed by nature to eat, digest and thrive on these raw foods. You will learn that healthy dogs with healthy digestive systems and strong digestive juices do not have any problems with eating these raw foods, nor with the fear words of E.coli and Salmonella, that many veterinarians put into our ears. Besides, E.coli has been found in dog food products as well as aflotoxins, which have caused death.

You will learn why raw meaty bones are what helps dogs to have white, tartar-free teeth and healthy pink gums, throughout their lifetime. It's a simple way to save hundreds of dollars and year and avoiding the risk of putting your companion under anesthesia for a dental cleaning! Since 1996, my dogs have never had dental cleanings. The raw diet, along with recreational raw meaty bones each week, gives them the opportunity for beautiful teeth and clean smelling mouths. Most veterinarians have put the fear into us that we should never feed bones to our companions, especially chicken bones. Its always the fear tactics instead of EDUCATING. However, how can a person educate another when they aren't educated themselves. Dogs can eat and digest raw bones. You definitely do not want to feed cooked bones. Those are the bones that are dry and brittle. Dogs have a very difficult time digesting cooked bones, if at all. However, raw bones are just what nature intended our dogs to eat. Naturally, there is always common sense to use when feeding raw bones and yes, there have been instances, although not common, where a dog has choked or caused other damage to itself by eating a raw bone. I would also remind you that dogs choke and cause damage to themselves by eating rawhide bones, rubber toys, plastic toys, sticks and rocks. I knew of a dog that choked on kibble! To say feeding bones is dangerous is no logical reason not to feed raw. What is important is to read and educate yourself about the raw diet before attempting to switch your animal to it. If common sense prevails, potentially harmful situations can be avoided.

The Benefits Are So Awesome

The benefits of feeding ARF outweigh any dog being fed kibble or canned food. Here are some of those benefits:

• Clean, white teeth and healthy gums

• Good weight and condition; dogs stay nice and lean

• Small, firm odorless stools; only 1 or 2 a day

• Healthy digestive system

• The ease of keeping a dog at its perfect weight

• Puppies are more active, robust, alert and smart

• Adults are more active and act "young”

• Hair coat is noticeable healthier and the potential for allergies is lessened

• No more dental cleanings at the vets

• A dog that is excited to be eating its food

• The pure pleasure of knowing you are feeding what your dog needs and wants and you controlling the foods your dog eats

• The immune and digestive systems gain good health, which is strengthened, and which is vital for a long life of wellness and well being

• Fewer and infrequent visits to the vets!

Our dogs look to us, depend on us to feed them. They are domesticated wolves and to respect what nature designed them to eat and feeding them that diet, in turn gives them the respect and love they deserve. Build that prey animal in the feeding dish. Your companion will thank you immeasurably. You have nothing to lose and your companion and you have everything to gain, including many more years to be together. Isn't that worth it?

2004