The BARF DIET™
Getting down to natural ingredient specifics and benefits...
BONES
For millions of years dogs have cleaned up the remains of other animal's bodies, including the bones. This ability remains with modern dogs that easily and joyfully tackle bones. A dog's whole system is designed for and, in fact, need bones to function properly. Bones are living tissue composed of living cells. Because bones are living tissue, just like any other part of the body, they are a complex source of a wide variety of nutrients. Bones contain minerals which are embedded in protein. They also contain fat. If the bone is from chicken or turkey, then that fat will be very high in essential fatty acids. Along with the fat content are fat-soluble vitamins. The central parts of most bones contain marrow, which is a high nutritious mix of blood forming elements, including iron. Raw bones also provide natural antioxidant/anti-aging factors, including enzymes.
"It is not hard to notice the dogs that eat bones. They look and act healthy.
The acid test however, is to look in their mouth and smell their breath.”
Bones are nature's storehouse of minerals for your dog. If meat is added to bone, then methionine and most of the B vitamins are supplied. Puppies and adult dogs that are rarely fed bones may even suffer from indigestion or diarrhea. They produce smaller quantities of solid, minimally offensive stools. It is highly probable that bones play a similar role to fiber, thereby removing toxins and promoting general bowel health. Bone-eating dogs are long-lived, healthy dogs. They seem to be particularly free of the degenerative diseases in old age.
MEAT
Many people assume that a dog's natural diet is a meat only diet. Unfortunately this is untrue as a meat only diet is highly unnatural and unbalanced. Meat should form only a part of the overall healthy diet, which should include bone, fruits, vegetables, offal and other supplements as well. For example, the muscle meat eaten by wild dogs forms a small part of the diet that consists of a wide variety of other foods. What nutrients are in meat?
- Meat supplies protein which plays a major role in healthy nutrition.
- It also supplies varying amounts of fat, water, and some vitamins and minerals.
- It also supplies energy.
Meat is first class protein which contains all the essential amino acids necessary for dogs of all ages. This includes growing dogs, pregnant dogs, lactating dogs, and of course, lethargic dogs.
There are no carbohydrates in meat. No starch, sugar or fiber. As the fat content rises, the percentage of water drops and so does the protein. As the fat content of the meat rises so does the energy it can supply to your dog. The fat in different types of meat varies in the levels of essential fatty acids. Chicken and turkey have the highest levels while lamb and beef are both lower. Lamb usually contains more essential fatty acids than beef, but only because it has more fat.
Raw meat is also low in sodium and high in potassium. That is good news for dogs with heart problems. The meat with the lowest sodium is beef, with turkey also being fairly low. The meat with the highest potassium is turkey, with chicken having the lowest potassium levels. This makes turkey a good all-round meat for heart patients. Beef, lamb, chicken and turkey meat are all very low in calcium and moderately low in magnesium. This means they are great foods for dogs prone to bladder stones. However, this lack of minerals requires bone material in your dog's diet. Beef and lamb meat are relatively well endowed with zinc, making them good foods for dogs with a deficiency of zinc. Chicken has low zinc levels with turkey containing more than chicken but not as much as lamb and beef.
OFFAL
In the wild, dogs eat the stomach content and organ meat from the animals upon which they prey. In fact, internal organs form a vital part of the wild dog's diet. Modern dogs have similar requirements. Dogs consuming these foods as part of a sensible diet have superior health to dogs that do not eat them. Although organ meats are valuable to dog food, they are not required in huge amounts. They are a concentrated source of many essential nutrients and are particularly valuable during times of growth, reproduction and are beneficial as a source of concentrated nutrients.
Liver
In this one product is a vast range of important nutrition. Liver is the most concentrated source of vitamin A and should be fed in small amounts on a regular basis. It also contains vitamins D, E, and K in substantial quantities. Liver is an excellent source of the minerals such as zinc, manganese, selenium and iron. It also contains all the B vitamins, particularly B2, B3, B5, biotin, folacin, B12, choline, and inositol. It contains B1 in adequate or smaller amounts and is a good source of vitamin C. Liver provides a source of good quality protein and the essential fatty acids, both the omega-3 and omega-6 type. It's a fantastic food for your dog!
Kidneys
Not unlike liver, the kidney supplies good quality protein, essential fatty acids and many vitamins including all the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Kidneys are a rich source of iron and all the B vitamins. They also have good levels of zinc.
Heart
Like liver and kidneys, heart, as dog food, is an excellent source of protein, B vitamins and iron. They do contain some essential fatty acids and a little vitamin A. Heart contains appreciable levels of taurine which is important food... for the heart!
Salmon
Our wild caught Pacific salmon is a beneficial protein, fat, vitamin, mineral and an exceptional source of long chain Omega-3 fatty acids that are high in EPA and DHA. It is abundant in vitamin A, B (including the whole series of B vitamins) and vitamin D. It is also rich in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
The fatty acids can help control the inflammatory process in the body, which can assist pets in many ways including reducing the occurrence and symptoms of allergies. These fatty acids aid in the fight of certain allergy-based skin reactions that cause rashes, dryness, fur loss, and assists in relief from red, itchy, flaky skin. It can also support strong healthy joint function, aid in producing more collagen and help reduce inflammation. Also these fatty acids can promote healthier skin quality and improve your pet’s coat. You will see a lusher, softer and shinier coat. Additionally, it may help aid in promoting healthier cardiovascular function, which helps to prevent and fight heart disease, and also lower blood pressure and triglycerides.
VEGETABLES
Dogs have actually eaten vegetables the whole period of their evolution, and that's a long time! As such vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables, should form part of the domestic dog's healthy diet. Dogs need vegetables because they contain many important health promoting nutrients. The fiber your dog obtains from raw vegetables includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. Vegetables supply many other nutrients. Many of those nutrients are the ones that have been found to be in short supply in the modern dog's "civilized" diet. This includes difficult-to-obtain omega 3 essential fatty acids (most of a dog's vitamin needs) masses of enzymes and various anti-aging factors, including antioxidants and phytochemicals.
Broccoli
Is one of the most nutrient dense foods. It is dense in vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, calcium and fiber. It is also a good source of chromium. Like other members of the cabbage family, broccoli has demonstrated remarkable anticancer effects. Broccoli contains several important phytochemicals: beta carotene, indoles, and isothiocyanates as well as over thirty-three cancer preventative compounds. Research suggests that phytochemicals prevent carcinogens from forming, stop carcinogens from getting to target cells and boost enzymes that detoxify carcinogens.
Celery
Celery is rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and iron, as well as vitamins A, B and C. The phytochemical 3-N-Butylphthalide, (one of the components that gives celery its characteristic smell and taste) and is especially potent as an anti-tumor agent. Along with the compound sedanolide, an aromatic ingredient also found in celery, 3-N-Butylphthalide significantly reduces the incidence of tumors in laboratory animals. It is said to decrease nervousness, and is used as an acid neutralizer.
Carrot
The carrot is the king of the vegetables. It is the richest source of pro-vitamins, but unlike vitamin A, beta carotene and other carotenes in carrots do not cause toxicity. Beta carotene is also a powerful antioxidant. Carrots also contain vitamins B, C, D, E, K, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and iron. Carrots have repeatedly shown to nourish the optic nerve and significantly improve eyesight.
FRUIT
Yes, dogs can and do eat fruit. Wild dogs - domestic dogs, they all do it! Remember dogs are omnivores. They can eat almost anything. Fruits are mostly water. After that, the major nutrient in fruit is soluble carbohydrate. That is simple sugars. Energy foods. Fruit contains lots of fiber. It also contains vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. Because fruit is a whole food, it also contains minerals, small amounts of protein and small amounts of fat. Two nutrients present in most raw fruits are vitamin A as carotene and vitamin C, which make fruit a valuable food for your dog. The enzymes present in raw fruit also make it important as part of your dog's diet, particularly if your dog is past middle age and showing the beginnings of degenerative disease.
Is it essential that dogs eat fruit?
No. All of the nutrients present in fruit can be obtained from other sources. However, by adding fruit to the diet, we ensure a wide variety of healthy foods. This gives the greatest chance of providing a balanced diet with plenty of longevity. Any fruit can be fed to dogs, however tropical fruits are a particularly valuable foods as they contain lots of antioxidants. Scientists have discovered that the enzymes and antioxidants present in fruit, many of which have not yet been identified, keep the skin and indeed the whole body free of degeneration and old age diseases.
Whole Apple
Unpeeled apples are especially high in non provitamin, A carotenes and pectin. Pectin is a remarkable type of fiber that has been shown to exert a number of beneficial effects. Due to its gel forming fiber, it can improve the intestinal muscle's ability to push waste through the gastrointestinal tract. Pectin also binds to and eliminates toxins in the gut. Apples are also rich in beta carotene and vitamin C as well as several B complex vitamins including vitamin B6, folic acid and lots of potassium.
Whole Pear
Pears are an excellent source of water-soluble fiber, including pectin, which makes them useful in toning the intestines. Fresh pears contain potassium, which is necessary for maintaining heartbeat, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and carbohydrate metabolism. Pears also contain Vitamin C which is an important antioxidant and essential for helping prevent free radical damage.
Whole Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a good source of flavonoids, water soluble fibers, potassium, vitamin C, and folic acid. Grapefruit, like other citrus fruits has been shown to exert some anticancer effects in both human and animal studies. Grapefruit pectin has been shown to possess similar cholesterol lowering action to other fruit pectins. The whole fruit contains more pectin than the juice. Recently, grapefruit has been shown to normalize hematocrit levels. The word hematocrit refers to the percentage of red blood cells per volume of blood. Low hematocrit levels usually reflect anemia. High hematocrit levels may reflect severe dehydration or an increased number of red blood cells. Grapefruit seeds are well known as an antifungal agent in that their consumption kills many different types of parasites and assists the body in producing beneficial bacteria. A biologically active natural ingredient found in the seeds kills strep, staph, salmonella, e.coli, candida, herpes, influenza, parasites, fungi and traveler's diarrhea, and is used as an antibiotic, anti fungal, anti-protozoan and antiviral.
Whole Orange
Everyone knows that oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, but they have more to offer nutritionally than just this nutrient. One orange contains generous levels of folate (folic acid), potassium, and thiamin, as well as some calcium and magnesium. Equally important to the nutritional value of oranges is their supply of flavonoids, making oranges a valuable aid in strengthening the immune system, supporting connective tissues, and promoting overall good health. Oranges have been shown to protect against cancer and fight viral infections.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a superfood rich in antioxidants that can offer incredible nutritional benefits for dogs which can help prevent cell damage. They're packed with phytochemicals that occur naturally. Specifically, the phytochemical compound, polyphenol, supports cardiovascular health. These antioxidants can also help reduce and fight inflammation and cancer. Additionally, reducing inflammation can minimize brain aging in dogs and lessen arthritis pain. Vitamins in blueberries, such as C and K, can help support a stronger immune system. Blueberry fiber can help contribute to better digestive health and regular bowel movements. Trace elements such as calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus, which aren’t always available in meat, are present in blueberries.
WHOLE EGG
Eggs are absolutely brilliant nutrition for your dog. Eggs are a whole food and often regarded as being the perfect protein source. It is the one against which all other proteins are measured. Eggs contain a full complement of minerals, including excellent levels of calcium (mostly in the yolk), all the vitamins except vitamin C and a range of high quality saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the nutrient lecithin and the whole range of enzymes and other longevity factors always present in raw foods. The shell is removed in order to balance the calcium requirements in a natural diet. Egg yolks are an essential food for a dog with skin problems. They contain sulphur-containing amino acids, biotin, vitamin A, essential fatty acids and zinc.
FLAX SEED
Flaxseed has been used for more than 10,000 years. The oil of the seed is a rich source of Essential Fatty Acids. Essential Fats, or Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are essential nutrients that the body can't produce itself. The only way to obtain these nutrients is through diet. EFAs are polyunsaturated fats, which are considered "good" fats. EFAs contribute to the healthy functioning of cell membranes, and are also critical for the synthesis of eicosanoids, a family of hormone-like substances that help in cell maintenance on a minute-to-minute basis. Just like other essential vitamins and minerals, EFAs are necessary for good health.
Flaxseed contains bioactive compounds called lignans, which have been proven to prevent cancer. Once consumed, lignans found in flaxseed are converted by bacterial action in the colon to mammalian lignans. They are then circulated through the intestinal tract and liver where their action is potentiated. In the body, mammalian lignans have estrogen-like and anti-estrogen effects. Scientists believe the effects of lignans on estrogen metabolism, in addition to their antioxidant properties, may explain why diets rich in lignans have a lower incidence of cancer. Evidence suggests that lignans may also be antioxidants, although the strength of their antioxidant activity is not yet clear. Other studies indicate flax lignans reduce cholesterol and prevent diabetes in animals. So far, scientists have isolated at least three flaxseed components with potential health benefits. The first is fiber, valuable for intestinal health. The benefits of the other two substances, alpha-linolenic acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid) and lignans, suggests that these components may be helpful in prevention of heart disease and perhaps in treatment of chronic kidney disease.
GARLIC
Garlic is nature's antibiotic and often called nature’s wonder drug. There is no doubt that garlic does confer some health advantages. Garlic has been found to have effective antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth of both bacteria and fungi. Garlic helps stabilize blood pressure and gives a good solid boost to the immune system, while keeping at bay infections of various sorts, particularly upper respiratory tract infections. Much of its success is due to various compounds of sulphur. Garlic is a health building and disease preventing herb. It is rich in potassium, zinc, vitamins A and C, and selenium. It also contains calcium, manganese, copper, vitamin B1 and some iron.
KELP
Kelp contains over 60 minerals and elements, 21 amino acids and simple and complex carbohydrates, which promotes glandular health, especially the pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands. Kelp supplies a natural source of iodine and acts as an antibiotic to kill germs.
ALFALFA
Alfalfa helps the body assimilate protein, calcium and other nutrients. This sprout is a body cleanser, infection fighter and natural deodorizer. It is the richest land source of trace minerals and contains vitamins A, C, E, K, B and D. Alfalfa also contains bioflavonoids, and eight digestive enzymes to promote proper assimilation of foods.
FENUGREEK
Fenugreek has vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and dietary fibers. As well as minerals zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus. This herb can help by improving digestion, coat and skin, and can assist in reducing inflammation; because of the antioxidants, which help neutralize free radicals. Research shows that Fenugreek aids with cholesterolemia and balancing blood sugar levels in diabetic dogs suffering from hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia.
SALMON OIL,VITAMIN E, ZINC OXIDE AND MANGANESE OXIDE
We added further supplementation of these four additional ingredients. Scientific studies and recommendations from our staff nutritionist have influenced us to add these important and natural ingredients to the diets. Although these healthy ingredients are added in nominally small quantities, they support the new evidence that these ingredients are needed to form a more complete and fully nutritionally based product. We will always make changes when scientific evidence supports the change as beneficial to the needs of the animals we serve. We feel that the addition of these natural ingredients have made our products even better.
SALMON Oil - Natural
An excellent source of vitamin A and D and the omega-3 fatty acids. Proven to be an excellent source for improving coat quality.
Vitamin E
This important vitamin’s main function in the diet and in the body is as a potent antioxidant.
Zinc Oxide
This ingredient is important to promote good hair coat and promotes optimal growth and better activity levels.
Manganese Oxide
This micromineral functions as a component of several cell enzymes that catalyze metabolic reactions. Benefits in the diet include Increased growth, aids in reproduction and helps to balance lipid metabolism.
