The BARF raw dog food diet is often criticized as dangerous to a dog's health. Bone splinters, parasites, bacteria, and dietary balance are some of the concerns.

Dog food experts loudly disagree on the risks and benefits of a dog raw food diet. Known as BARF (the "Bones and Raw Food" or "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food" Diet), the canine raw food diet is hotly debated by both veterinarians and dog lovers. Some of the risks associated with a raw meat diet include parasites and bacteria, bone hazards, and nutritional deficiencies. (For more information on the benefits of BARF, see Bones and Raw Food.)

Parasites and Bacteria

One of the biggest concerns about feeding dogs raw bones and meat is the risk of contamination (of both dog food and human food surfaces) with bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. While raw meat may carry these kind of bacteria, they have also been found in commercial kibble and other foods, and a more wholesome diet may equip the body better to deal with the inevitable infections and parasites by boosting the immune system.

Bacteria and parasites may be picked up any number of other places – such as sniffing or licking other dogs at the park, or walking over ground where another animal has defecated and later licking paws clean. Every animal will be exposed to parasites in bacteria – but for the sake of minimizing risks, some owners prefer to avoid the raw meat BARF diet.

Some veterinarians claim there is an increased risk of seizures and other bacteria-related illness in dogs who are fed raw; other vets claim to have seen no BARF-related bacteria or parasitic infections and even recommend BARF.

Is BARF a "Balanced Diet"?

Commercial kibble manufacturers claim that their foods are nutritionally balanced and perfect for every dog. In fact, there is very little research on pet nutrition.

What's more, each dog's needs are different depending on breed, gender, age, activity level, and metabolic factors. Like any animal, a dog extracts what it needs from the food it eats – "perfectly" balanced or not.(1)

Bone Splinters

There is some concern about bone splinters, even from raw bones, causing internal damage to the esophagus and intestine of pets.

Fans of the BARF plan are insistent that raw bones do not splinter and are safe for dogs to chew and ingest. Raw bones are also said to be an ideal source of calcium, amino acids (protein), minerals, and other nutrients.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Research Against the BARF Raw Food Diet

One BNet article(2) against raw feeding cites a study in which puppies developed poorly when fed a BARF diet. This information is problematic for several reasons:

• The contents of the raw food diet used are not clearly stated by the article (and they can vary widely).
• Some of the puppies used in the study were extremely young (2-1/2 weeks!), much younger than they are usually weaned and put on solid food (reputable breeders and dog experts recommend leaving pups with mum until at least 8 weeks of age).

It certainly reads like this study was designed to stack the deck against a raw diet.

BARF: For or Against?

There are persuasive arguments in favor of and against feeding a dog raw food. Ultimately, the decision is that of the pet owner and must depend on the veterinarian's recommendations as well as the health and specific needs of the dog.

For more information on the health benefits of a raw food diet, see Bones and Raw Food.

References:

FOR: (1) The Top 50 BARF FAQs, Bree Prive, accessed March 29, 2008

AGAINST: (2) How Safe is a Raw Food Diet? Not Very, Ann N. Martin, accessed March 29, 2008