Thanks to everyone who created all the great web sites we edited for on our Raw Pets pages – you can find them listed on our BARF Links page. Remember, this info is intended to get you started – when changing your pet’s feeding routines, please do as much research and education as you can so that all your choices are properly informed! There is a ton of info on the internet, and you can sign up with many Raw Pet e-mail lists, newsletters and web rings.
Barf Meal Plan Suggestions
Remember, this information is intended to get you started – when changing your pet’s feeding routine’s, please do as much research and education as you can so that all your choices are properly informed.
- Golden Retriever – 55# – RMB meal – 1# chicken backs, or 12 chicken necks, or 8 chicken wings, or 2 beef ribs plus an egg or yogurt. You can feed lamb, but it is rich so don’t use it in the beginning. Even after 3 years only feed lamb that you trim and only when you will be around to let them out more often. Lamb riblets (I think in Australia they are called lamb flaps) have soft very chewable bones and this is what to use if you can get it. Occasionally (like once every 2 weeks), substitute fish – either canned mackerel or sardines as many dogs will only eat these. If yours eats other fishes then serve ’em up.
- Offal – Offal (or organ meat, e.g. heart, kidney, liver, tripe, etc…) is usually mixed in with the veggie meal, because many dogs do not like the taste (some do). Just be careful not to feed too much, too quickly, as offal is very rich and too much will cause loose stools. Offal can be fed once or twice a week!
- Veggie meal – This is for 1 meal not a full day’s worth – 1/4 calves liver or an egg and puree these veggies for about 3/4 cup worth. Mix and match veggies do not try to use all these at the same time – carrots, turnip, parsnip, green beans, yellow squash, zucchini, dark green lettuces, celery – add a little – very little – of either spinach, kale, turnip greens, or broccoli. Now and then if you have a piece of cauliflower toss that in too.
- To most meals add 1 teaspoon of oil (cold pressed flax seed, or safflower or vegetable or olive but usually flaxseed for Omegas). To each meal add 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (Vitamin Bs), 1/4 teaspoon kelp, 1/4 teaspoon alfalfa powder. Also add Vitamin C (about 2000mg) but you need to start off slow and increase a little at a time so as to not upset the tummy. A golden might get 200mg Vitamin E 1x/day
- Poodle – 35# – gets exactly half of the above recipe – if very active give a little more than 1/2 of the above. Halve the vitamins of yeast, kelp, alfalfa and remember Vitamin C 100mg Vitamin E/day
- Cocker Spaniel 20# – gets 1/4 of above recipe – adjust to each dog’s activity level and metabolism. 1/4 the vitamins of yeast, kelp, alfalfa and remember the Vitamin C, Vitamin. E – “most” of a 100mg capsule
- Chihuahua 8# – very active little guys – 1 1/2 chicken wings, or 4 chicken necks or about 2/3 of 1/2 a chicken back (break it in half and then take a piece off). For the veggie meal, which is 1 out of 2 meals a day, use about 1/4 cup of veggie mix with a little liver (about a square inch) or some egg or a tablespoon plain yogurt. Meat – for 1 meal – a little less than 1/4 cup of beef heart or gizzards. Remember a few drops of the Vitamin E and a little Vitamin C
Check out this great raw pet article with lots of great links: http://www.angelfire.com/mi/romyldale/nutriti o n.html
PLEASE NOTE: GARLIC FOR DOGS: Dogs can safely consume 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder per pound of food 3 to 4 times a week. Use the following amount of fresh garlic for dogs, according to their size:
- 10 to 15 pounds – half a clove
- 20 to 40 pounds – 1 clove
- 45 to 70 pounds – 2 cloves
- 75 to 90 pounds – 2 1/2
- 100 pounds and over – 3 cloves
Some vets say to use one clove of fresh garlic per 10 to 30 pounds of weight per day to boost the immune system and cancer prevention. As with most herbs, its a good idea to take at least one to two days off per week from garlic. Garlic contains at least 30 compounds that are useful for a variety of conditions from skin disorders to cancer. Holistic veterinarians have been recommending garlic for many years for its multiple health benefits.
The BARF Diet
My Raw Pet Food Recipes
My Raw Pets BARF diet consists mainly of raw meaty bones (approximately 50% bone/50% meat) and pulped vegetables and fruits mixed with raw organ meats (liver, heart and kidneys), yogurt, garlic and whole raw eggs. Supplements are added to supply the essential fatty acids. These oil supplements consist of cod liver oil (source of vitamin A), fish body oil and/or flax seed oil or ground flax seed meal (sources of omega 3 EFA’s), olive oil, and oil of evening primrose (only once a week) – see sample recipe below. Other supplements include vitamins C and E, alfalfa powder, kelp powder, brewers yeast (source of vitamin B’s) and apple cider vinegar. Dogs are fed their meat/veggie patties every third day and are fed whole raw meaty bones (chicken backs, necks and wings, turkey necks, pork and lamb neck bones) the other two days.
Basic Raw Dog Food Recipe for a 20-25 lb. dog
- 1/2 cup raw meat (ground poultry, beef, lamb, organ meats)
- 1/2 cup raw pureed vegetables (variety!)
- 1/4 cup cooked whole grains
- 1 teaspoon bone meal powder (double for puppies and pregnancy)
- 1/4 teaspoon ascorbic acid powder with bioflavinoids (vitamin C)
- 1/4 teaspoon kelp powder
- 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic (not powder)
- 1 teaspoon oil mixture (2 teaspoons with poutlry)
Oil mixture:
- 11 oz. canola oil (cold pressed)
- 2 oz. wheat germ oil
- 2 oz. flax oil
Keep refrigerated in an opaque container.
RAW PET FOOD FOR DOGS NOTES: Some folks eliminate the grains and increase the meat and vegetables proportionately, and only add the oil if poultry is fed. The meat must be RAW. Dogs should be fed raw bones — cooked bones will splinter. Vegetables must be pureed or they will come out looking pretty much the same way they did going in. Wild canines get their vegetable matter by eating the digested intestinal contents of their vegetarian prey. Variety is essential to deliver the correct mix of vitamins and minerals.
Basic Cat Food Recipe
- 1300 g raw muscle meat (beef, chicken, lamb, quail, duck, etc., but not fish or pork!)
- 400 g heart
- 200 g liver (I alternate with kidneys)
- 100 g gizzards (excellent for a dental workout, which is important for teeth!)
- 600 g finely pulped or grated veggies (I mostly use carrots or plain pumpkin)
- spring water to desired consistency
- 4 eggs, lightly cooked
- 4 tbsp bone meal
- approx. 60 drops of Liquid Trace Minerals
- 1000 mg vitamin C (calcium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, or Ester C: the amount is variable according to your cat’s needs)
- 2 tsp salmon body oil
- 100-200 IU vitamin E added directly to a meal, once a week
Also see:
http://www.sunfood.net/cats-article.html
Doggie Treats
Here are some great recipes for doggie treats. I know, these are now raw…but they’re only intended to replace those commercial products with ingredients that are much worse, and can be a nice way to transition to a more raw food diet. Remember, especially in the beginning, you don’t have to be 100% raw right away. I suggested starting at 75% raw, so your beloved pet isn’t forced to go through an uncomfortable detoxification all at once. An animal’s body needs time to readjust to a healthier diet, to cleanse, and to alkalize properly.
Magic Dane Cookies:
Mix Together:
3/4 c. hot water or broth
1/3 c. margarine
1/2 c. powdered milk
1/2 t. salt (optional)
1 egg, beaten
3 c. whole wheat flour
garlic powder
In a large bowl, pour hot water over margarine. Stir in powdered milk, garlic powder, salt and egg. Add flour, 1/2 c. at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead 3-4 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough. Pat or roll out until 1/2″ thick. Cut out shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Be careful not to allow them to burn! (I’d check them starting at 30 minutes). Allow to cool and dry out until hard.
Pick-a-Flavor Dane Cookies:
Mix Together:
2 c. hot water or broth
2 T. molasses
2 T. honey
garlic powder
2 T. oil
1 c. peanut butter, shredded carrots, or parmesan cheese
Then gradually add 8 cups whole-wheat flour. Roll out to 1/2″ thick, and cut into shapes. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Be careful again, as they tend to burn. (These make a VERY stiff dough! Be ready to work those arms!)
Delightful Dane Beef Cookies:
1 pound beef
Carrots and Celery
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. cornmeal
1/2 c. wheat germ
1 egg
garlic, to taste (hehehe)
2 teaspoons baking powder (optional)
Beef Stock
Combine beef, carrots and celery in a large pot with lots of water. Cook until tender, drain and save broth. Puree meat and veggies in a food processor or blender. Add all the other ingredients. If mixture is too dry, add beef stock. Roll out on cornmeal until about 1/2 inch thick. Spray with water, and sprinkle with cornmeal. Cut out shapes. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet in a 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes until crisp. Flip half way through and then spray with water, sprinkle with more cornmeal. Enjoy!
Dainty Dane Chicken and Parmesan Cookies:
1 pound chicken, cooked & ground
Carrots and Celery
2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. dry milk (optional)
6 Tbsp. melted butter (optional)
1 egg
2 tsp. salt (optional)
1 Tbsp. sugar (optional)
garlic, to taste
Combine chicken, celery and carrots in a large pot with lots of water. Boil until tender. Drain and save broth. Puree meat and veggies in a food processor or blender. Add rest of the ingredients, if too dry, add chicken stock. Roll out on cornmeal about a 1/2 inch thick. Spray with water and sprinkle with cornmeal. Cut our shapes. Bake in a 350-degree oven on an ungreased cookie sheet for 45 minutes until crispy. Flip half way through, spray with water and sprinkle with cornmeal. Enjoy!
Banana Mutt Cookies:
1 1/2 c. ripe mashed bananas
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. oats
1/2 c. chopped peanuts
1/4 c. applesauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Drop by spoonfuls onto an un-greased baking sheet; press flat with a fork. Bake for about 15 minutes, cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
