I've always believed in feeding good food without all the rubbish in and have always bought puppies up on pro-plan. However, I've been curious about the idea of a raw food diet for a while as it mimics what they'd have in the wild but have been aprehensive about doing it and getting it wrong, not giving the right amounts of everything and making my dogs ill from them lacking or having too much of something, plus so many websites contradict each other. I wish there was a recipe list I could stick to lol

Anyway, although I've always had mine on one of the premium foods, I have had 3 dogs end up with problems that could be diet based, one kept getting kidney infections, and then developed addisons desease at 3 years old and I sadly lost him just 3 1/2 short years later, another had terrible skin so I started to add oil to the food which helped, but never got rid of it completely and now my fathers dog, whom lives with me now as my father is in ill health has been poorly over the last few days and has had problems with diorrhea for years has suspected liver damage.

I've been advised to try the raw diet, but as I say, am aprehensive about it. I have found a local stockist that has the made up meals of the raw food diet. Are these complete meals of the raw diet enough for a balanced diet or do they need anything added? Can I feed these then raw bones/eggs etc ontop or are these efficient on their own? I'd prefer to use the packs you can buy as I'm veggie and very squeamish, and don't fancy handling necks, hearts, and other things like that. I don't mind sorting out bones, and fish and things though. Also how much do I feed? My fathers collie is a big built show type collie and weighs around 25kg and is in nice bodily condition. I've also read that you should starve them for at least one day a week? Another thing I've read is that you're not to change over the diet gradually like you would if you change complete foods, but do to it as a straight swap? Also do they need supplements, again I've read conflicting things about this.

Lastly, I am due to pick up my labrador puppy soon, she's on pro plan, and I've bought a bag in, but am considering this diet for her. I am even more paranoid about her being on it as I don't want her to lack in anything, and am worried about her joints developing properly, due to her breed being prone to hip dysplasia and elbow problems. How much and what ratio of foods should she be eating, and how often and what is safe for her, again I've read conflicting things. Is she better to stay on complete until she's an adult, or to be on a 50/50 complete/raw food? Any advise welcomed.

I remember when I wanted to make the change to Raw, very daunting and like you wanted to know everything before going for it.  I bought a few books, one being Dr Ian Billinghurst's 'The Barf Diet', joined a few forums (BRITBARF etc ) and asked advise at my local dog training club.  The book was my bible, the advise I got from others was sometimes confusing because everyone has their own take on it as do I now.  I made the switch 2 years ago and its so easy now.

I have two GSD's who are fed on Barf, both have their health issues but are healthier than they were when they were on a commercial dog food - I tried the premium range and ones that promised the earth! My only regret with the barf diet is not doing it sooner!!

I have a new Rotty puppy coming in two weeks, she has been reared so far on a natural diet and will continue when she is with me.

Best of luck, I would be happy to send you a private message with a typical weekly diet of my way of doing it if you want.

That would be very kind of you if you could send me your general weekly menu :)

have pm'd you with another website I have found it very useful.

Hi guys, I've fed raw for 6 years and have read as much as I can about it, but I always like to learn more. Whats this forum you suggest?
(Nosey :o))

have to pm you with the website, last time I put it here it was taken off as they have pups for sale, I dont want to upset anyone.
have you tried britbarf forum

I'm a member of britbarf but they get a bit heated and confused the hell out of me to start with.

I'm also a veggie but you do get use to handling the food after a while, i travel to a farm shop/slaughter house and he gives me cracking meaty bones and offal etc, i've only been on it since march but mine have never looked better.

Think i've put this link on before just a guide not set in stone but give it a look

http://www.raw4dogs.com/calculate.htm

I tried to join Britbarf, it's a bit of a mission! They want to know SO much infomation and I'm not sure I want all that listed on the internet!

> I tried to join Britbarf, it's a bit of a mission! They want to know SO much infomation and I'm not sure I want all that listed on the internet!

Don't blame you, we passed too! There's plenty of info on here if anyone were to do a search, books too will help - just look on Amazon, also Kris & Rio's site is a good one.

Good luck Tarka, I'm sure you will be glad you made the switch.

Also have a look at www.rawmeatybones.com

I feed my dogs a raw meaty bones diet not barf and am over the moon at how they are doing and how they look.  I will never go back to feeding dried food now.

If you would like anymore info please pm me.

I'm not joining, don't think you should have to give that much info. I have all the Billinghurst and Lonsdale books. I've been feeding it years so I'm happy in what I'm doing. Just thought it would be nice to chat to other raw feeders, as I find so many think it's a bad diet, 'look how healthy my dog is on dry'.
And I hate it lol

I found britbarf rather confusing and got fed up with all the emails much prefer this type of forum. Thats why I like the info from Kris and  rio  also like info om raw meaty bones which is mailnly what I do.

just adding on to this. apparantly there was an article in our dogs about BARF does anyone have it?

I found the website link you sent me a good read, always like to read how others feed :o)

Thanks guys, I will look into all of the info youve give me. I've not been on for a while as my pc died on me. The collie has been on this diet 2 weeks and so far no problems really, my puppy has been on it a week and loves it. Only thing that has conserned me is that both had some pinky blood in their feaces a couple of days ago but fine since. The blood was 2 days after they had liver for the first time, could this be the problem. I'm at the vets thursday so will mention it but wondered if anyone could shed some light on this?

Hi Tarka

If you haven't already discussed this type of diet with your vet, just be aware that you might get an adverse reaction.  My vet is OK (not enthusiastic, but ok), but I've heard a lot of stories about some vets being very negative.

If you are concerned about how to react, ask them to explain their concerns, then do your own research again.  If you can get to grips with BritBarf it's a great site for specific advice about vets, diet, menu's etc

Dogs a babe,
Does BritBarf have a chat forum? Or is it just like a list of Barfers? I couldn't understand it :o/

I'm not dogs a babe, but can answer the questions. BritBarf is a group of likeminded people and you can ask and answer as many questions as you like. There are files on there giving lists of raw food suppliers and many useful bits of information on all things raw. Give it a go!

Yes as Pedlee says, it's a group of Barf feeders who share information.  It's operated as a Yahoo group see here and isn't so immediate as CD perhaps.  You need to be approved to join - just send an email - but once you're accepted you can access people who've been feeding in this way for years as well as those just getting started.  You'll also be able to view archived information too so it works as a database too.  You can make posts direct from the group page or via email - whichever you find easier.

You can get very specific information about cuts of meat, suppliers, prices, whether to add veg, how to calculate amounts etc.  In my experience there are a few core regulars with very good knowledge and a willingness to help, as well as members who only chip in now and again.

Thanks a lot guys. It does sound good and I would like to join, it would be nice to chat to other Barfers! It's just a touch confusing lol
I tried to join on the 28/09 and when I just went back onto that link today it says my account is waiting for approval by the owner, does it usually take that long?