BARF stands for Bones And Raw Food, and it’s an acronym that represents a diet full of raw meat, bones, veggies, and fruit. Because raw dog food is relatively free from preservatives (depending on where the food is purchased and how the food is handled on the farm, in route, and in the stores), its nutrients and enzymes remain in tact. Many people aren’t fully aware of the detrimental effects that cooking has on food. The fact is, cooking destroys many healthy nutrients and enzymes, and it’s what makes the BARF diet so appealing. Dogs that eat raw food access thousands more nutrients and enzymes than dogs that eat cooked and processed food.

But the BARF diet doesn’t come without controversy. Sometimes the meat we buy is tainted with E coli or salmonella – two strains of bacteria that can make some dogs very ill. In addition, a meat product could carry parasites and cause health problems in both the dogs that eat it and the people who handle it. Since canine pets are domesticated dogs, their digestive systems aren’t necessarily prepared to fight of these strains or parasites the way that the digestive systems of wild dogs are.

Despite the controversy, why people feed their pets raw dog food is not a mystery however. For one, the menu is tasty and two, owners can see first-hand what their dogs are eating (as opposed to having to trust a package label). Moreover, reports have shown that the BARF diet can improve a dog’s health and behavior. In many reported cases, the diet is purported to resolve allergies, digestion problems, and diarrhea. That’s probably why a growing number of dog food manufacturers now offer frozen or dehydrated products that are based on the diet.

If you’re intrigued with the concept, discuss it with your vet first. Armed with information that’s specific to your particular dog, you can get a detailed picture of what’s required. Your dog’s age or current health condition for example may prevent you from using the diet. If your dog’s breed is susceptible to particular digestive problems, you vet may ask to you avoid this diet as well. Even your lifestyle can influence the appropriateness of the diet. BARF preparation can be time-consuming. Veggies and fruits for example need to be ground so that they can be easily digested. And meat must be cubed or ground as well.