Is it necessary to add supplements to raw cat and dog food?

Question

I'm reading up on BARF diet recipes, and i'm wondering whether these supplements are really needed. Isn't raw meat and organs alone enough for wild cats and dogs?

Answer 1

Absolutely not, all the supplements, veggies, dairy products, etc., are completely unnecessary. You're right, the diet based on "raw meaty bones" designed by Tom Lonsdale makes much more sense than the "BARF" diet.



I feed what is called a "prey-model raw" diet, more closely based on Lonsdale's diet. It is also based on David Mech's research on wolves, which shows that wolves do not normally consume, or need, the stomach of the prey or its contents. The diet is simply 80% meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ, half of the organ fed being liver.



The only supplement that I would even consider would be Omega 3 (found in salmon or fish body oil). The reason I would consider this is due to the fact that the grain fed meat typically found in this country is very low in it. If you don't feed grass-fed meat, wild game, or deep ocean fish (such as salmon, sardines, anchovies, or mackerel), then a supplement would be a good idea to make up for the lack. However, my dogs get venison regularly and one or two sardines every week, so I don't worry about it.



If you've found out about the RMB diet you've probably seen some/most of these links, but they've been helpful for me so I'll post them for you anyway:



http://www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners/whatisrmb.php

http://www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf

http://www.ukrmb.co.uk/images/ww.pdf

http://www.rawfed.com/myths/

http://preymodelraw.com/how-to-get-started/

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

http://dogfoodchat.com/forum/raw-feeding/



That third link is actually a free PDF copy of Lonsdale's book "Work Wonders". It's definitely worth the read.



Anyway, hope that helps, and good luck with your dog's (or cat's) transition to a raw diet!

Answer 2

Raw Cat Food Supplement

Answer 3

Bone and Raw Food has sufficient calcium and phosphorus. You must be aware of the ratio of these nutrients in various carcass parts, as chicken necks and backs have sufficient bone, providing enough calcium. A breast is mostly muscle, less bone, and is insufficient calcium.



If the dog or cat doesn't consume enough of the bone, or break it down enough prior to swallowing, they won't get enough calcium then either.



If the cat prefers just to chew on the muscle/organs, or the dog swallows the wings or necks whole, a supplement should be considered.



Fresh, raw meat has plenty of taurine for cats. If it's cooked, including overly warmed in hot water prior to serving, the taurine is diminished or completely gone.



Cooked diet recipes all include supplements because they can't possibly have the necessary calcium to phosphorus ratio needed for healthy maintenance of cats and dogs.

Answer 4

I don't think vegetable matter and supplements are needed in a dog's diet. I mean, look at dingos, african wild dogs, wolves and coyotes, in times of plenty they are healthy. Their pups are fat and shiny, their coats look great and they have lots of stamina, obviously. Mother nature doesn't supplement, they eat meat, organs and bones. Even during times of hunger they don't raid corn fields or grain silos, they raid chicken coops and sheep sheds!

Dogs are no different than any of their wild cousins. They are not omnivores, they have not "evolved" to the point of thriving on cooked, processed, grain loaded kibble, they are canines.

I have Afghan Hounds, I studied the history of the Afghan Hound, one of the first Afghan breeders in the US imported a pair from the middle east back in the late 20s or early 30s. She bred them and kept a male, he lived to be 27 years old!!!!! His offspring and siblings all lived to their twenties. They were fed bones, organs and raw meat, they hunted with their owner and were fed what they caught. I let my hounds eat the rabbits they kill on our property in the winter. It's the best thing for them.

I think RMB is a better diet than BARF for those reasons, among others.

Answer 5

No, supplements aren't necessary. I would recommend Prey Model (80% meat, 10% bone, 10% organ) over BARF, though, which has too much bone and is filled with unnecessary carbs.

Answer 6

Have you tried Eating for Energy (120 raw food diet recipes) system? Go here : http://StayEatingRaw.com/Access . This could certainly assist person!