Questions on BARF Diet / Itchy Face

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi all. Just registered today and everyone seems very helpful.

I just started Rosie (yellow lab, just over 1 year old) on the BARF diet today per suggestions in the Health Forum. She has been itching her eyes and lips and I suspected it was because she has been licking her female parts and there's a rather unpleasant smell from there. I thought it could be a yeast infection that she is transfering to her face via her washing. Some folks thought that it could be the case since she has tried steriods and benedryl from the vet with no luck in stopping the itching. There's no rash or redness anywhere, just keeps rubbing her face against me, the wall, the carpet, etc.

Anyway ~ Questions on BARF:

Do I have to grind up the veggies? I just dumped the frozen veggies in with the ground round, along with some yogurt...

I'm a little worried about giving her raw chicken! And extra worried about the chicken bones!! Can't the splintered bones get caught???

Are supplements really necessary? (The husband bought in on the fresh food approach but is not happy about spending $$$ on supplements). Can the yeast infection get cured without them?

Since my goal is to stop the suspected yeast infection and itching, is there a certain combination of foods to give or more of something, like yogurt?

How long before I can expect to see an improvement?

Can I go back to a good, meat based regular dog food and still keep the itching at bay? Or am I going to have to continue BARF?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies...a lot of questions, I know!!

Rosie's Mom

[alpha sheltie]

"Do I have to grind up the veggies? I just dumped the frozen veggies in with the ground round, along with some yogurt... "
If you want your dog to digest the veggies, yes. I don't grind them when I give veggies as a treat though.

I'm a little worried about giving her raw chicken! And extra worried about the chicken bones!! Can't the splintered bones get caught???
Some barfers grind the bones until they're pretty much powder because they're worried about it. I think Billinghurst mentions this in his book. The dogs usually get chicken bones over any other bones because for one, they're cheaper and two, chicken is one of the best meats to feed your dog..although, variety is still key.

Are supplements really necessary? (The husband bought in on the fresh food approach but is not happy about spending $$$ on supplements). Can the yeast infection get cured without them?
I'm not sure about the yeast infection...I know some barfers do give supplements but it really depends on the specific dog and foods your giving. A holistic vet may be able to help you with this one.

Since my goal is to stop the suspected yeast infection and itching, is there a certain combination of foods to give or more of something, like yogurt?
I don't know about the infection but yogurt is a great food to give. When I fed barf, I gave kai a teaspoon everyday.

How long before I can expect to see an improvement?
I saw improvements in a few weeks.

I don't know if you've already gotten this book but I'd like to recommend "give your dog a bone" by ian billinghurst. For me, it was a bit pricey but worth every cent.

[Aroura]

Plenty of yoghurt and apple cider vinager.
Raw bones don't splinter like cooked bones, still, you should always watch your dog while it is eating to be on the safe side, even with kibble, a dog is more likely to choke on kibble than it is to choke on a raw bone.
On your last question, I don't think you'll want to switch back to kibble after you see the benefits of BARF :wink:

[Kaleb124]

I know that I have not been around for a while, but I figured that I would put in my 2cents anyway. :)

An alternative to graining the chicken pieces is taking a hammer to them to crush them up. The bones are very soft when uncooked and the dog will be able to chew them up. However, by smashing them with a hammer first, you know for sure that *at least the bone pieces are small*.

When I first started feeding Raw, I noticed bone pieces in my dog's poop. HOWEVER, once his body adjusted to the new diet, the bone pieces were no more...they were digested just like everything else.

Also, keep in mind that grinding or breaking up the bones with a hammer will not provide the dentle help that whole bones would provide. When the dog eats whole bones, the crunching will stimulate the gums, clean the teeth, and also satisfy the dogs urge to chew. Also, if you add a little apple cider vinegar to the dogs food, it will help break down the bones....anyone else remember putting a chicken bone in vinegar in elementary school? After being left for a while, the bone breaks down the the point of feeling rubbery, not hard or bone like at all. Something to consider.