Is a home-prepared diet healthy for my pet?
Is it really safe to feed raw food to my pet?
How do I make a 'home-prepared BARF diet for my pet?
How will I know my pet's diet will be complete and balanced at every meal?
I've heard that feeding bones is dangerous...
What is offal?
What is tripe?
Do I need to use supplements?
What are probiotics?
What is the best way to start my pet on a BARF diet?
My dog doesn't like vegetables... are they necessary in the diet?
What are the best oils to use in my home-prepared diet?

Is a home-prepared diet healthy for my dog?
Most pet owners are taught to believe that feeding their pets is such a difficult task it is best left to the processed pet food industry. In fact feeding pets can be explained in two or three lines. Dogs should eat a diet consisting of about sixty percent raw meaty bones, twenty percent healthy vegetable material, ten percent healthy offal plus supplements. If you follow that advice your pets will be healthy, long-lived and happy.
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Is it really safe to feed raw food to my dog?
Your dog or cats wild counterparts live exclusively on raw foods. Their whole metabolism is geared to the consumption of raw foods. Domestic pets are no different. They too require raw foods for maximal health. Numerous BARF fed dogs and cats are showing that when fed raw foods they are generally healthier than those fed cooked and especially, processed foods.
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How do I make a 'home-prepared BARF diet for my dog?
To help you get started, be sure to order a copy of The BARF DIET. This outlines everything you need to know about making a complete and biologically balanced raw food diet for your four pawed friend.
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How will I know my dog's diet will be complete and balanced at every meal?
It's the 'whole' feeding program that provides balance. It is not necessary for each meal to be complete and balanced. If you follow the guidelines from the 'BARF DIET', your dog or cat will be receiving everything he needs for total health.
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I've heard that feeding bones is dangerous...
A controversial aspect of the BARF diet is the use of whole raw meaty bones as the food base for our pets. For most dogs and cats, whole raw meaty bones do not constitute a physical danger. However, if in doubt we highly recommend ...

Minced Meaty Bones!
If you prefer not to feed whole raw meaty bones, have a dog that is missing teeth who does not eat carefully, or has difficulty digesting whole bones then you may wish to feed your dog our meat and bone mince products. Do make sure to feed your dog a wide variety of raw meaty bones or minces to avoid health problems that may develop from not offering enough variety and a too limited range of foods to your pets.
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What is offal?
Offal is the term often used to refer to organ meats. The most frequently used offal are kidney, liver, heart and tripe. Dr. Billinghurst's Offal Blend contains all of these important organ foods.
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What is tripe?
Green tripe is the edible lining and accompanying content of a cow or other ruminant's first or second division of the stomach. Paunch tripe comes from the large first stomach division and honeycomb tripe comes from the second division. Both wild canids and domestic dogs benefit from eating tripe as it contains a very diverse profile of living nutrients including enzymes, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, probiotics, and phytonutrients. It has long been quoted as being "the finest of natural foods".
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Do I need to use supplements?
The 'whole' philosophy of the BARF diet demands that we look in the first instance to food sources only for nutrients. However, to maximize your dog's health you will most definitely need to supply extra supplements. Kelp provides a source of minerals along with concentrated greens such as alfalfa leaf. Dr. Billinghurst's BARFPlus is a concentrated blend of antioxidants, phyto-nutrients, vitamins, probiotics and enzymes. This is a convenient addition to a home made BARF diet.
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What are probiotics?
These supply the friendly bacteria essential for bowel health and for general health. A readily available source of healthy bacteria is good quality, low fat yogurt. Alternatively, purchase nondairy probiotics from the health food store or use BARFPlus which contains probiotics.
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What is the best way to start my dog on a BARF diet?
It's best to keep the diet simple at first. This is particularly important for older dogs that have been eating a processed diet for most of their life. Start with 'Dr. Billinghurst's Meat & Bone Mince' only, for the first couple of days. You might wish to add some yogurt or a probiotic supplement. Keep meals small to begin with and don't overfeed. Once the dog is digesting the mince, start adding a small amount of the 'Veggies & Fruit '. Continue to increase daily, until you are feeding the suggested amounts. Providing digestion is normal, you can start adding the 'Offal Blend' and then the other suggested foods. Supplements come last.
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My dog doesn't like vegetables... are they necessary in the diet?
Your dog has evolved through countless generations to require vegetation as part of it's diet, particularly the green leafy type and always raw. Once the 'Veggies & Fruit' are well mixed with the other components of the BARF diet, they will become more palatable to your dog. Dogs can live and survive without vegetables, but they will never be totally healthy!
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What are the best oils to use in my home-prepared diet?
What you need are cold pressed and fresh oils that have been kept away from light and oxygen. Salmon oil, cod liver oil and evening primrose oil are some of the oils you can utilize. These health promoting oils - in a fresh state - are vital for your dog's health. Do not use old oils, as they are rancid and dangerous. Never use ordinary oils from the supermarket, as they have been heat treated.
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Congratulations on making the decision to feed your dog a biologically appropriate raw food diet! return to top of page