A BARF Diary.

[Nicola]

Right thats it, Baggins and Phoebe are both going onto barf aswell. I am fed up with the quantity and odour of the end result of their JWB diet. The O/H wont like it but this thread will sort out any worries. I will probably be feeding the pre prep. AMP frozen packs. This is just for conveniance due to our jobs. Bones are not a problem as one of my mates is a butcher. Just a quick question, can I feed them raw rabbit? I have a never ending supply of them around a friends farm. ( sorry to any rabbit lovers..... but farmers dont see them in quite the same way).

Alfie usually gets rabbit twice a week, I buy a whole one and give him half each time. I get OH to cleaver it in half    then he gets chucked out onto the patio to crunch it up or in the kitchen on a black bin liner if it's raining (I am possibly one of the less sophisticated BARF feeders on here  ). It's pretty gross but he loves it, other than his fresh sardines it's his favourite meal 

[Naughty Pair]

i plan also to feed sardines a couple of times per week and eggs.

good idea about the plastic bin liner....i have been putting the bones in the garden - but annie loves to eat in the kitchen where we alll are - so may try the bin liner idea....teri is fine eating hers in the garage where her crate is - she loves the bones !!!

where else do people feed their dogs and what on?

[Tommo]

Just to clarify the rabbit diet, do you feed it innards 'an all. I know that offle is a part of the barf diet and I know that my two love "rabbit raisins" .Come to think of it they like everything that comes out of a sheep too!

[Nicola]

Just to clarify the rabbit diet, do you feed it innards 'an all. I know that offle is a part of the barf diet and I know that my two love "rabbit raisins" .Come to think of it they like everything that comes out of a sheep too!

Yep, the whole shebang! We buy it whole and skinned but not gutted so OH does the business with the cleaver and Alfie gets given the whole half at a time if you know what I mean.

[Rhona W]

Yep, the whole shebang! We buy it whole and skinned but not gutted so OH does the business with the cleaver and Alfie gets given the whole half at a time if you know what I mean.

Ok. I hate to ask because I really don't want to hear the answer.  But does that include the head?  I really don't think I could watch them eat that part. 
(Especially if the rabbit was watching me.  )

[Cob-Web]

Just a quick question, can I feed them raw rabbit? 

I know Rachel (IWLass) feeds Molo rabbit. It's a balanced meal of bone, meat and offal all in one. 
I have a local butcher that is always advertising fresh rabbit, but I haven't plucked up the courage to do it yet. And the kids were absolutely disgusted that I could even suggest it. 

Yup - I feed rabbit; I pay £6 for 3 from the butcher, which are skinned, gutted and have had their head/paws removed  The heart/kidneys are included though Currently, the butcher portions them up for me, I get four or five meals for each rabbit - but Molo prefers it diced 

I have an offer of freshly shot rabbits from a colleague; once I learn how to skin them I will probably gut them too - I'm not sure I can face the smell of the stomach/intestines; I find rabbit has a quite strong smell even when gutted 

Rhona - there are so many rabbits around here that they have long ceased to be "cute and fluffy", even to children 

[JackieD]

Oooer I am not sure my stomach or my heart could take the rabbit thing if I convert, the thoughts of what you are all doing to the rabbits is bringing tears to my eyes.
I know it is only nature after all but feeding with insides intact makes me feel really icky 

[Penel]

I would love to have a supply of rabbits - they are not that easy to get round here.... yes I would let them eat the whole lot....rabbits are probably the most natural thing for a dog to eat..... one thing though, if you feed it fresh, and not frozen for a while first - then you will need to be aware that rabbits often have tapeworm - when we got Gracie she had tapeworm, most likely from killing and eating rabbits.... so regular worming, with a wormer that kills tapeworm would be recommended if you are feeding fresh rabbits.

[Joules]

one thing though, if you feed it fresh, and not frozen for a while first - then you will need to be aware that rabbits often have tapeworm - when we got Gracie she had tapeworm, most likely from killing and eating rabbits.... so regular worming, with a wormer that kills tapeworm would be recommended if you are feeding fresh rabbits.

So presumably, if you freeze the rabbits for a while before feeding them that would solve the tapeworm issue? 

[carol b]

Thanks to Claire.  I've been reading right through this thread seeing what you are talking about but not knowing exactly what BARF stands for

[Tommo]

 

 
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I had that one from my sister - Well it was more of a "They will turn wild." 
[/quote]

As I am now commiitted to switching to Barf I decided to read through the thread again. The  thought of huge herds of cocker spaniels sweeping majesticaly accross the plain...........
 I am constantly reminded that Baggins is one step away from a timber wolf as he sits on the end of my bed with a sock in his  mouth 

[Joules]

The  thought of huge herds of cocker spaniels sweeping majesticaly accross the plain...........
 I am constantly reminded that Baggins is one step away from a timber wolf as he sits on the end of my bed with a sock in his  mouth 

 

I can just see the front of the Daily Mail

"Bunny eating Cocker Spaniels on mad dog rampage horror!"

[happydog]

Thanks to Claire.  I've been reading right through this thread seeing what you are talking about but not knowing exactly what BARF stands for

Biologically Approropriate Raw Food 
or Bones And Raw Food.. Take your pick.

[happydog]

Just to mention, the blocks also contain grain, which some people do not recommend feeding to dogs, but the bags don't. 

  I've just openend an A.M.P. 400g green tripe block and it doesn't mention any grain in the ingredients 

[Claire]

The  thought of huge herds of cocker spaniels sweeping majesticaly accross the plain...........

  I think that's quite a nice image.

I am constantly reminded that Baggins is one step away from a timber wolf as he sits on the end of my bed with a sock in his  mouth 

Yes, Ruby wouldn't mind being wild...as long as it wasn't raining outside, and she could come home in the evening and have someone cuddle her on the sofa and tickle her ears.