Why Raw?

Written by: Barbara Bancroft

A raw natural diet for dogs and cats isn't a fad. It is not new at all, but the natural, biologically appropriate approach to providing the optimum canine/feline diet. The evolutionary nutrition movement began in response to the dietary guidelines outlined in the book Give Your Dog a Bone, by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, presented to the world in 1993. This diet, for obvious reasons, came to be known as the Bones And Raw Food diet or the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food diet, or BARF diet. It is also called the evolutionary diet, raw diet, or SARF diet (species appropriate raw diet).

“The evolutionary feeding program for any species of animal is concerned to feed only those foods which that animal evolved to eat over millions of years of evolution. The logic is that by feeding the scope and balance of such foods - in their original form (raw whole foods), the entire nutritional requirements for that animal will be met. If we accept that there is a positive relationship between optimal diet and health, it is clear that such a dietary regime must be the one that has the greatest likelihood of producing maximal longevity and optimal reproduction with maximum freedom from disease and maximum positive health.”
     – Dr. Ian Billinghurst

People often tell us their dogs and cats are 'doing fine' on their commercial diet. When the same people switch their animals to an evolutionary diet, they are amazed that the animals that were doing fine, extremely healthy, are doing better than fine, have increased energy levels, better focus, glowing coat & skin, no itching or allergic symptoms, and can't wait to see what they're getting at meal time - it's not the same dry, processed, grain-filled diet every meal. So many changes we can see so quickly! Imagine the changes we can't see - the ones inside! Once you begin feeding an evolutionary diet, your dogs' and cats' bodily functions can work as they are meant to.

Feeding the raw, unprocessed diet they were designed to eat provides them with the variety of enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients their bodies need to achieve their maximum potential. You will see reduced stool volume, and dramatically decreased odor. Their systems no longer need to work overtime to try to extract the nutrients they need (that aren't all available), and to get rid of the fillers they have no use for.

Benefits of feeding a raw diet include:

*no doggy odor;
*naturally cleans teeth - no need for toothbrushes or scaling, and no gum disease;
*decreased or non-existant vet bills (your animals are healthier!);
*allergies, arthritis, skin problems and other health conditions can be greatly improved or eliminated; *dogs and cats enjoy their food!
*reduced stool volume;
*better weight control;
*enhanced immune system.

 

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