Since I joined COL I've read quite alot about BARF. I'd never heard of it until I joined. At first my initial reaction was "yuk". For some time I'd been told not to feed them bones as it was dangerous and similar things and BARF seemed to go against all of that.
This was exactly me. I always thought BARF meant vomit as per American teen movies until I joined COL!
And then I was a bit disgusted, yes.
I'm also aware that some people are avidly for it and avidly against it. Reading this thread and another one tonight has made me wonder whether it is something I should consider for my three.
Yes I noticed it's a bit like Marmite, you either love it or you hate it, and I never thought I'd end up so passionate about it...but after reading all the books I did, and starting Ruby on it, I'm firmly in the love it camp!
I found Claire's post really informative, as although I've seen alot on here about BARF its been more in general rather than specifics as in how much of what to feed them. Can anyone give me any recommendation where to find more info about BARF from?
I'm so glad you found it useful. I went off to investigate BARF on my own and decided to read all the books and then make my own informed decision, esp as people are so adamant one way or other. And also the prospect seemed a bit daunting, so I wanted as much info as poss. Books I'd recommend: Kmythy Schulz and Tom Lonsdale. Tom's 'work wonders' book is a lot more manageable, his 'raw meaty bones' book is great but that's a lot of reading to get through. Kmythy's book is also quite easy reading. Ian Bilinghurst too. They're all on Amazon - I'd start with Tom Lonsdale's 'Work Wonders' book. They're all on Amazon and Amazon brings up other books on the same subject once you start searching, and the reader reviews of the books are worthwhile. There's also a Yahoo group called Britbarf.
I've also been interested to read that dogs on BARF lose the "doggy" smell. Barney is very smelly despite regular baths so I wondered if that would help him. He atm is fed on Royal Canin. The other two are fed on Burns.
Sapphi my Lab is on the Burns weigh****cher food as she has a tendancy to put on weight, but we've also noticed over the last couple of weeks that her scavanging has increased dramatically, so I wondered if BARF would satisfy her more, without gaining the pounds.
And lastly we've noticed Max seems to have lost a bit of weight (and no Sapphi's not eating his food, they are watched like hawks! 
) and his breath can be very smelly. All three poo's can be a bit messy from time to time too.
The books often mention in their case studies overweight dogs losing weight, and underweight dogs gaining it, not to mention it clearing up all sorts of health problems from mild (dog breath, stinkiness) to the more serious like severe skin complaints. One which might strike a chord with Cocker owners is the improvement it has on anal glands. The poo is firmer, therefore they strain more, therefore the glands don't get blocked and need to be emptied by the vet.
So does anyone think BARF would help my three, could they be fed their normal food for one meal (as I have loads in) and BARF for the other meal? Am I better to wait a few months and finish up the dry food? And my last question, with three dogs will BARF cost me more than I already spend on their food?
I don't see why you couldn't phase BARF in, but I wouldn't give it in the same meal - the eating quick and choking thing. With 3 dogs you'll have to watch out for guarding of food/bones and any nastiness as it takes a lot longer to eat - Ruby was growly with us intially and she's an 'only dog' but she got over it. There's a risk they may get sniffy about their other food once they've had raw meat though!
Am I right in thinking you've got a lab? I wouldn't start him on chicken wings - bigger bones until he learns not to swallow whole, and I'd supervise initially. Base the bone on the size of the dog for dogs that aren't used to raw bones...the books go in to all this anyway.
As for cost, I entered into raw feeding fully expecting it to cost more. We live in London, so it's not like there's an abundance of local markets/family butchers/farmer's markets, etc. But actually it worked out much cheaper and far easier to buy as I can buy it all at the supermarket if I want - most I get from the fridge fresh meat section. The fruit/veg side of things I don't really know what that adds up to as she eats the same fruit/veg as we do, and I've not noticed our shopping bills go up in price in that respect...maybe Ruby eats all my fruit and veg and I just get less >:. I was surprised at it costing less though. Look at the supermarket economy range fresh meat and it's v.cheap. They often reduce fresh meat, especially kidney/liver/heart as it's not a quick seller! With 3 dogs you could buy a whole chicken and cut it up yourself perhaps? Some butchers might give you some bones free.
I buy from either Tesco, Somerfield and occassionally Asda, and there's not much price difference. As a rough guide:
Liver/kidneys/2 hearts come in packs for about £1. Hearts slightly more, the other 2 slightly less.
10 chicken wings under £1
6 chicken thighs about £2 (frozen)
Large turkey leg with bone just over £1
From the butchers stall I normally come away with a heavy carrier bag full with half oxtail, half lamb with bone in for £10.
And I buy a big box of eggs too!
Any questions feel free to PM me.
