Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently

Asked Questions

There are many on the Critter Chat E-mail list and those who read the newsletter who have questions about the basics of caring for our animals and feeding them without chemicals, preservatives and other immune damaging processes.

This FAQ is designed to answer the basics. If you have a question or a FAQ that you would like to place here, please contact me by email below.

Q What is B.A.R.F?

A. B.A.R.F. stands for Bones And Raw Food.

Q. Are there any websites/newsgroups/mailing lists that deal exclusively with natural feeding?

A. Yes, there are many sources. Critter Chat has a mailing list that deals with not only raw feeding, but natural health care for your animals. To subscribe, send E-mail to the list owner with Subscribe in the subject line.

Q. What are some good information resources for raw feeding? (i.e., books, etc.)

A. There are many good books that describe how to feed cats and dogs a homemade, natural diet. They each recommend a slightly different approach, so if one doesn't seem to suit you, read another. They are all good diets and are much better for your pets than the average commercial cooked food. These books also contain varying amounts of other holistic health information beyond diet. Many of these books can be purchased in the Book Store in the Critter Chat Newsletter.

For both cats and dogs:
1. "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats" by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD and Susan Hubble Pitcairn, published by Rodale Press, ISBN 0-87857-395-X
2. "The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat" by Juliette de Bairacli Levy, published by Faber and Faber Ltd., ISBN 0-571-16115-4
3. "Reigning Cats & Dogs" by Pat McKay, published by Oscar Publications, ISBN 0-9632394-1-4
4. "Keep Your Pet Healthy the Natural Way" by Pat Lazarus, Published by Macmillan, ISBN 0-87983-388-2

For dogs only:
1. "The Holistic Guide For a Healthy Dog" by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, DVM. Published by Howell Book House, ISBN 0-87605-560-9
2. "Give Your Dog a Bone" by Ian Billinghurst, BVSc, BScAgr, DipEd,
self-published, ISBN 0-646-16028-1

For cats only:
1. "Cat Care, Naturally" by Celeste Yarnall, published by Charles E. Tuttle Co., ISBN 8048-3025-8
2. "The New Natural Cat" by Anitra Frazier, published by the Penguin Group,
Penguin Books, ISBN 0-452-26517-7

Q. What is ACV?

A. ACV is Apple Cider Vinegar...the cultured type, bought in Health Food stores, not the kind you get at the supermarket off the shelf. ACV is used for aiding the immune system, helping to ward off fleas, etc. It is also good for the digestion of our animals. This can be put into their drinking water or mixed with their food.

Q. My dog is doing fine on a premium dog food! Why should I raw feed?

A. There are fine dry foods on the market, but not at the "super" market. Supermarket brands have chemical preservatives that are not healthy for our animals. They also contain things we would not feed our animals if we knew they were in this food, such as road kill and euthanized animals to name two. If you would like to read more about what goes into our dry kibbles, see the main Table of Contents for further information, and read Ann Martin's "Food Pets Die For", excerpts here in the newsletter, or you can purchase her book at the BOOK STORE. Our animals need "species specific" foods. That means raw, natural foods, and bones. Chicken wings, backs, necks, turkey necks and carcasses, raw meats, and raw meaty bones.

There are some very good kibbles on the market through distributors that are 'all natural' contents and preserved naturally. For these brands that are natural, you can see the charts in the newsletter. See this page-- Pet Foods - Contents Comparisons. Look for the "Natural Foods".

Q. Whoa! you talk about raw chicken! Won't my animals get salmonella and bacteria?

A. Dogs and cats have very short digestive tracts, thus the time for the nasty creepies that have time to set up housekeeping in the human digestive tract, don't have the same opportunity with our animals. Also, if the animal's immune system is healthy through good eating and care, they are able to counteract any bugs that may be in their food.

Q. Can any animal be fed naturally? Cats? Ferrets? other animals besides dogs?

A. Most animals can be fed a raw, natural diet. However, there are some animals that just will not eat raw, so you may not be able to achieve the total raw diet. There is a species specific diet for all animals. You buy pellets for rabbits, mash for chickens, and dry foods for most of your small pets like guinea pigs and hamsters. What you need to do is find out what's in that food, and then feed it naturally. Many of these questions can be answered on the Critter Chat E-mail list if you would care to join us. See above for information on subscribing.

Q. How much does all this cost?

A. To feed naturally, will cost no more than feeding a premium kibble. You have to watch the sales at the market, buy in bulk, and it's a good idea to have a good freezer for the bulk purchases. The supplements and vitamins you will need are relatively inexpensive if you buy "people grade", which is the same as those marketed for animals, just labeled differently.

Q. What does it cost in preparation time?

A. When you are feeding a raw, natural, species specific diet, there is not that much time in preparation. The big thing is to remember to take things out of the freezer and defrost in the refrigerator. The other thing involved is the 15 minutes or less involved in pulping the veggies for the day. You can make these up ahead and freeze in daily portions, but you must remember that you will lose some of the nutrient value by freezing, and since this is the reason for feeding this way...to give the proper nutrients, as well as healthy food, you would be defeating the purpose in the first place.

Q. Where do I find the ingredients for a natural diet?

A. Most if not all of the supplements can be found at your local health food store or you might want to do a net search "natural supplements" for a mail order company. It's best to get your meats from your local grocer, butcher, farmer or your own backyard. Vegetables can also be found at your grocers, farmers market or in your own garden!

Q. How do I make the switch?

A. Some prefer to make a slow switch, mixing the raw in with whatever the dog is eating now, gradually reducing the amount of the commercial food until they are on total natural diet. Others prefer to make a clean sweep of change with a small fast of 12 to 48 hours before offering the new diet (the fast is meant to give the digestive system a break from work thus it would be clean and ready to tackle the new food). Whichever way you do it it is helpful to add some digestive enzymes to help with the adjustment.

Q. Are there any foods which should be avoided or not feed?

A. There are a few vegetable to be avoided or fed in only smaller, less frequent intervals. Onions (can cause a form of anemia in some dogs), tomatoes, garlic (belongs to the onion family)and potatoes (member of the nightshade family). Other vegetables that are gas forming (such as cabbage, spinach, celery) should also be fed sparingly to reduce likelihood of excess gas. Meats that are to be avoided or fed carefully are pacific salmon (see salmon poisoning link, pork (not due to parasites but mainly due to the fact that it is the hardest animal source to digest and can cause some dogs difficulty)and meat and bone from the older stock animal (buildup of more environmental toxins). Peanuts (not really nuts at all!) should not be included with a natural diet for our companion animals (see Tiffani's article.. regarding aflotoxins on the Essential Oils and Fatty Acids page.

Q. Can any and every dog be fed a natural diet?

A. Sure! From the smallest to the tallest ALL dogs will benefit from a natural diet. Some dogs, it should be cautioned, have special health concerns and switching them to a natural diet *may* need to be monitored by a medical professional, to avoid any problems. It should especially be done slowly with an unhealthy dog.

Q. Some of the books and articles say to feed raw bones.......... isn't that dangerous?

A. Not in the least! Our canine companions were born to eat raw meat, bones and all. Most of the choking and other problems we hear about (and why some of our vets are so against feeding bones) is due to the bones being cooked and the dog is on a commercial diet (kibble or canned). Cooking the bones not only removes much if not all the nutrients and "life" from them but also alters them on a molecular level..... the bone becomes harder and more likely to splinter. Any fat within the bone is changed to a trans-fatty acid.... impossible for the dog to digest (causing diarrhea and vomiting in many cases) and carcinogenic (cancer causing) to boot! The actual eating of commercial is vastly different then food prepared fresh and in it's more natural state. Chewing is less vigorous and the natural enzymes found in the saliva that helps predigest the food is different in the commercial, processed fed dog.

CATS

Q. Why isn't my cat using the litter box?

A. Is the litter box clean? Is there food near it, if so move the food (and water) away from the box. Have you changed litters, or tried another brand of litter? Has something changed within the home lately? Have you brought a new pet into the home? You can also try to have more than one litter box--or if your litter box is covered, take the cover off--if not covered, put one on it. Suspect UTI take cat to vet.

There will be more coming in future issues, so stay tuned. :-) Katie