I have been feeding my dog the Bones And Raw Food (BARF) diet for over 11 years. Once thought of as an unconventional diet, it has become accepted as the preferred way to care for our animals.

In the wild, dogs and cats only consume uncooked food. This includes innards, bones, vegetables, grains, and meats. Feeding our companion animals, as close as we can, to what they were originally designed to digest is truly best. Animals fed raw diets will take a new leash on life, and live happier, healthier and longer lives.

Feeding your pet a fresher more natural diet takes a little time and effort. I have seen phenomenal changes in my client's pets when they have switched to raw or BARF diets. Some of the changes have been the elimination of allergies, more resilient skin tone, shinier coat, better breath, weight reduction and behavioral changes. I highly recommend the following books for reference on this subject, Scared Poopless, The Barf Diet and The Natural Guide to Feeding Your Pet.

It's best to start with small amounts added to their dry food and gradually wean them off the kibble. A good amount to introduce is about 3-4 Tablespoons daily. Many people give up because they see a change in the consistency of their pet's elimination, however this is a very normal change. It may take up to three weeks for the digestive system to adjust, but your dog will thank you for it.

Here is a sample canine recipe. Please remember these are basic guidelines and individual needs may vary by age, existing health, and weight.

An average adult dog's caloric intake for 10 lbs. would be 410 calories, whereas an 80 lb. dog would be 1800 calories. There are also pre-made frozen raw foods available at some pet stores.

Canine Healthy Oats

2 lbs. raw ground turkey

8 C raw rolled oats

¼ C broccoli

2 cloves minced garlic

¼ C vegetable oil (flax, olive, or sunflower)

6,000 milligrams calcium powder

400 units Vitamin E

Daily ration 5 cups-1x a day for an average 60 lb. dog

After mixing ingredients, put daily rations in baggies. Freeze, and after each meal, pull out the next day's meal to defrost. You'll be amazed by the transformation in your dog's vitality.

By Kim St. Claire

I have been passionate about the well-being of animals since I was a child. My heartfelt connection with animals has resulted in a life-time of service dedicated to their well-being and to the happiness of the people who love them.

Over the last 15 years, I have worked as a professional animal care consultant, therapist, healer and educator committed to preventing and solving animal health and behavioral problems. I have worked in many capacities with animals including operating a pet sitting and doggie daycare business. I am also certified in pet CPR and I have worked as a vet assistant and wildlife rehab coordinator. My credentials include: BA, Communication, Delta Society Evaluator, Pet Tech Certification, Animal CPR and first aid, ABKA Certification, Lecturer, Speaker, Business Owner, NHI Aromatherpay Training