Raw Feeder to Raw Feeder | Raw Feeding Models

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Scott Jay Marshall II (Dog Dad Official and Raw Feeding 101 – Learn to Feed Raw) and I chat about the models of raw feeding, including the BARF (biologically appropriate raw feeding or bones and raw foods) Model and the Prey Model of raw feeding.

I feed my dogs a modified version of the BARF model of raw feeding that I call FrankenBARF.  I don't take away muscle meat or bone to account for the vegetables that I add, and last month, I switched from ground raw to a diet of half whole raw and half ground raw.

Vegetables and Fruit in a Raw Food Diet

I continue to add vegetables to my dogs' diet because of the anti-oxidants that they provide.  Recently, I began looking into fermented vegetables as a way to continue to provide those antioxidants and bucket loads of natural probiotics as well.

I've been adding fermented vegetables to my dogs' food for three days, taking away Rodrigo's pancreas supplement.  So far so good!

My dogs do get fruit, but not a lot. I give them blueberries and apples as a snack and I mix it into a veggie mix.  Every August, my dogs pick apples from our apple trees.

Benefits of Whole Raw for Dogs

Not long ago, Scout began to show apathy towards his meals – he was bored.  I knew he wasn't sick (he had no problem eating treats).  I had thawed some duck frames and decided to see if he would eat those – they were a hit!  Seeing how excited ALL of my dogs were at meal time when I had whole cuts of meat made me rethink their diet.

• The dogs are more excited at meal time.
• The dogs eat slower because they have to break down bone and cartilage while eating.
• Whole raw allows the gut to get ready to receive raw food; allowing better absorption of nutrients.
• Whole raw exercises the mind as the dogs work out how best to tackle their food – they're always mellow after meal time.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the FrankenBARF diet (as I see it).

Ultimately, in speaking with Scott, I learned that there isn't really a “better” model.  We should feed what works for our dogs.  Right now, a blend of whole raw and ground raw works best for my dogs.