Attention BARF or raw feeders

[jholz99]

Hi everyone,

I know this will probably stir up a hornet's nest because it is a subject with strong opinions, but I am looking for good resources for researching a BARF diet. I am still about two years away from getting my newf , but I am already looking at all of my feeding options so that I can do what I feel is best by my pet. All resources books, on line, etc. will be greatly appriciated.

If anyone is afraid of possible conflict with non-BARFers, please PM me with your suggestions.

In order to keep this thread civil, I am asking that people with strong opinions against this diet not post to this thread. I am not asking for your opinions at this time.

Thank you all,
Jason

 

[Angela]

Hi Jason,
2 of my Newfs are fed BARF. Prior to starting I read the following books,

Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats, The Ultimate Diet by Kymythy R. Schultze.
The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown.
These 2 authors have experience with Newfoundlands

Grow Your Pups with Bones and Give Your Dog a Bone by Dr. Ian Billinghurst

I finally went with the Billinghurst diet.
There is also a Wellnewf group at Yayhoo groups that you could join.

Good researching!

 

[Laura_Loomis]

Switching to Raw is also good, though I don't remember who wrote it.

I belong to several raw feeding email lists and particularly enjoy a regional list I am on (OH, IN, and MI and I think KY). The benefit of this is that we can talk about sources, too.

Another great place to start is the American College of Holistic Veternary Medecine. Good place to find a holistic vet who specializes in animal nutrition.

Laura

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

You also need to talk to the breeder you are thinking of getting your pup from. Some breeders will not honor guarantees if you feed a raw diet others require that you feed a raw diet. Some thing else to think about.

 

[Leslie]

I feed all my animals raw and agree with the books recommended so far. Wendy Volhard has 2 versions of HGHD and they're both valuable. The first one does a better description with herbs. The second one is great for the 5 element theory. Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health and Home Prepared Dog and Cats Diets by Donald Strombeck are good resources too. I got all mine used in excellent condition for about 1/4 of the price at half.com.

Well Newf is a very low keyed site so join it, but join another one or two as well. I sure wish it was more active. I'm on several, don't get e-mails, just sign on every once in a while to see what's new.

And as for a breeder and raw feeding, I wouldn't buy from someone who wouldn't "let" me feed raw. We all do what we think is best.

 

[ellesmom]

Hey all,
I am trying to "fine-tune" my 21 month old, female, spayed, landseer, she weighs 140 lbs'ish. I was wondering how much of raw meat per day any of you feed your newfies. She has about a medium metabolism and low activity level. She loves her food, but is easy to control as far as food goes. Currently we are feeding her Nature's Variety commercially prepared raw food. The food is 95% meat, organs, and bones with a portion of these products from certified organic sources.

The feeding recommendations on the package are as follows

"FEEDING GUIDELINES: If Nature’s Variety™ Prairie Brand™ diets are fed as the sole food, feed 1-1/2% to 2% of body weight daily. Daily portions may vary according to age, size, environment, temperament, breed and activity level. Immediately refrigerate unused portions."

We'd like to start making her food ourselves to save money. Currently she gets four patties a day, and we fast her once a week with raw bones. Each patty weighs a half a pound. The ingredients in lamb patty are Lamb, Lamb Liver, Lamb Heart, Lamb Kidney, Ground Lamb Bone, Apples, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Ground Flax Seeds, Chicken Eggs, Montmorillonite, Dried Kelp, Salmon Oil, Cold Pressed Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Persimmons, Blueberries, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Garlic, Alfalfa Sprouts, Barley Sprouts, Millet Sprouts, Quinoa Sprouts, Wheat Sprouts, Inulin, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Rosemary, Sage, Clove.
If anyone can clue me in how much a newfie is supposed to eat. They always tell you 1 1/2% to 2 % of body weight per dog. But, she weighs 140. I was always told that a newfie only eats as much as a lab....,so go figure! HELP!!
Hugs,
Ellesmom

 

[AmyPC]

We feed Rory our own creation...raw meat - usually kangaroo, rabbit or chicken - cooked vegetables - peas, carrots, corn etc - a little bit of kibble - maybe a cup - and occasionally some scraps thrown in there like leftover rice or pasta. She also gets apple cider vinegar mixed in there to help control her incontinence (which is pretty much gone these days!) and sometimes some vegetable oil for her coat and garlic to help with fleas!

As for the raw meat, we buy 2 kilos a fortnight (about 4.5 lbs) and that's spread over 14 meals so not a whole lot but she is a small Newf - about 90lbs). It works well for her!

 

[ellesmom]

Thanks Amy,
Elle is doing the best ever. She is on a meat patty that is 93% meat the rest vegetable. She isn't itching, she has lost weight, and her muscle tone has gotten wonderfully firm. It is so exciting...especially with the fragmented elbow problem. She hardly ever limps. The doctor will be setting a date for her surgery. He said her leaness is helping her immensely as is the increase in her muscle mass. Dr. Siegler is our holistic and allopathic vet (traditional). He has been very helpful, but I still love to know what other newfie owners are doing to "fine-tune" things. It can get a bit obsessive, but hey she's our little girl.., well, not so little anymore.
Thanks for the feedback.
Hugs,
Ellesmom
(in Wa state)

 

[sparky]

Here is a link to a book that is simple and easy to read, you do not need to be a nutrion expert to understand it. raw dogs

 

[frankie]

Originally posted by Leslie:
I feed all my animals raw and agree with the books recommended so far. Wendy Volhard has 2 versions of HGHD and they're both valuable. The first one does a better description with herbs. The second one is great for the 5 element theory. Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health and Home Prepared Dog and Cats Diets by Donald Strombeck are good resources too. I got all mine used in excellent condition for about 1/4 of the price at half.com.

Well Newf is a very low keyed site so join it, but join another one or two as well. I sure wish it was more active. I'm on several, don't get e-mails, just sign on every once in a while to see what's new.

And as for a breeder and raw feeding, I wouldn't buy from someone who wouldn't "let" me feed raw. We all do what we think is best.

 

[sarnewfie]

Frankie
if raw diet was the mircacle cure that many claim it is wich i researched, it is not.
than more of us would feed it.
and a breeder has been succesful with a certain diet, knowing diet plays a huge role in how a newf turns out, it is up to the breeder to make sure guidlines are followed for their specific lines.
it is best to stick with a breeder who raises their newfs on raw diet. but dont expect your newf will be picture perfect health wise, i have seen otherwise in many newfs on raw diet.
sorry, if those who feed believe in it, all the more power to them, but,....
there are just as many of them with joint disease and other problems as with those who are not on the diet.

 

[janices]

This is not a pro or con book. It's a middle ground book which goes through diet for the individual dog. It's written by a canine nutritionist. Think it is a good one cause it discusses all aspects whichever way you would like to go. Has charts of nutritional values for stuff like chicken and bones, etc. "K9 Kitchen Your Dogs' Diet: The Truth Behind the Hype" by Monica Segal.

 

[darktarnsparhawk]

Hi
I found this link the best place to start,
www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm

But do get several books on the subject, you may find that no one diet suits your dogs and you may have to fine tune your diet.

Do read as some of the others have said the books by Dr Billinghurst, Wendy Volhard, Dr Pitcairn, Kymythy Schultz, Switching to Raw is by Sue Jonhson (havent read this one) and there is Raw dog food by Carina McDonnall. To name but a few.

But SAR is correct some home made diets that are not balance can do more harm than good, so do your research. Read the books. Join a barf / raw group and ask as many questions as you can. Remember there are no stupid questions only stupid answers!!

And good luck, feel free to PM me if you want know more about how I feed my boys

 

[Askosrose]

Here's a great webpage Natural Rearing . It has a ton of resources, including places to find meat, supplements, etc. in your area.