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 '.

It is best with an old dog to keep the diet fairly bland and low fat when changing over. I would suggest adding some probiotics to the diet to help restore good bacteria into the system to fight the bad bacteria and help increase immunity. You can do this by adding yogurt with live cultures in it to the diet or by getting some kind of probiotic supplement.

The chances of bloat are much less than on kibble. It is quite rare for a dog to bloat when they are eating a raw diet, for a couple of reasons. The first is that raw food doesn't swell like kibble which can sometimes cause problems. The second thing is that most dogs eat more slowly when they are eating raw food compared to the familiar "inhale" style eating that dogs use when they are eating kibble. Because they aren't inhaling their food, less air is sucked into the stomach.

The results are in and it's obvious that dog's fed a raw diet have much cleaner teeth. The processed or cooked foods eaten by dogs today are high in two substances; soluble carbohydrates and soluble calcium. These two nutrients attack a dog's mouth at every meal. In addition, processed foods do not contain the naturally occurring enzymes found in raw foods so necessary for clean teeth. Through the use of raw bones and a healthy BARF diet, your dog can have a sparkling smile!

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.

Yes, you can. When I travel if I have room for an extra cooler, I freeze RMB meals in separate portions so I can take one meal out at a time. I try to use a separate cooler for RMB so it isn't opened as much. I also freeze the RMBs a week or two in advance so they stay frozen longer. In terms of feeding the "correct balanced diet", remember that you are looking at the diet "over time" versus a daily diet. I don't try to bring any veggie mix with me when I travel.

The results are in and it's obvious that dog's fed a raw diet have much cleaner teeth. The processed or cooked foods eaten by dogs today, are high in two substances; soluble carbohydrates and soluble calcium. These two nutrients attack a dog's mouth at every meal. In addition, processed foods do not contain the naturally occurring enzymes found in raw foods so necessary for clean teeth. Through the use of raw bones and a healthy BARF diet, your dog can have a sparkling smile!

The BARF DIET? mimics the natural or evolutionary diet by using available appropriate uncooked foods. The natural environment is disastrous. It includes lack of shelter, starvation, attack by other predators and the complete lack of medical and surgical intervention. This is not what we want for our pets. We want an environment that optimizes health which includes a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet.

The BARF DIET™ looks to whole raw foods to supply nutrients. It is our aim - as much as is humanly possible - to source and use evolutionary foods. That is why we insist that a wide variety of nutritional foodstuffs make up the components of this diet. We do add some 'land and sea' green food concentrates such as alfalfa leaf and kelp to the diet. Some pets have specific conditions and situations which may require more or less of ingredients in the BARF DIET™.

We do NOT recommend combining a raw food diet in the same meal as processed foods. The digestive rate for dry processed food is much longer than for raw foods which can cause digestive disturbances. While acknowledging wholesome foods as basic to their own health, many people still believe their pets will be healthiest when fed processed junk food. Not surprisingly, this simply isn't so.

Commonsense must prevail when handling raw meat. You do this all the time when you prepare a meal for the family. After handling raw meat for your pets, do wash your hands before eating your own food. Sterilize any knives, surfaces or utensils used in the preparation or handling of your pets' food. We recommend using a stainless steel dish, which is washed thoroughly with soap and hot water after every meal.

If you are truly concerned that something in the diet is causing a problem, the only true way to identify it and remove it is with an elimination diet. Basically, go right back to feeding one thing only for a time (no supplements or anything else, including treats) and then gradually add things back one at a time and watch for a reaction. As every dog is different, this is the only way you will know for sure what your particular dog is reacting to.

It is common to see white crumbly stools from a raw fed dog. However, if the dog seems constipated, try reducing the RMB's and raising the amount of veggies a bit. Real pumpkin will also help reduce constipation (helps loose stools as well).

You'll find lots of yummy recipes and treat ideas here. Keep in mind that many of these recipes contains grains....so, be beware, if your dog is allergic to grains. If you have a dehydrator, then you're all set! You can dehydrate just about everything (e.g. liver, kidney, raw meat jerky, fruits, veggies, etc...). If you don't have a dehydrator, you can also use your oven. Keep a pan below the meats to catch the drippings.