Changing from BARF to dry food diet.

neilsmom2000 · #1 03-10-2003, 09:01 AM

I hope this is the appropriate place for this post, but if not please do move it..

We will be rescuing a dog within the next few days who has been on the BARF diet. While we respect the choice that BARFers make regarding how they feed their dogs, we've chosen not to pursue BARF with our current dog, and will not continue it with our new rescue.
My concern is that I want to make the transition back from BARF as easy as possible for my new dog. We currently feed Lara (and will feed our new dog) a quality holistic dog food (Royal Canin Natural Blend Holistic), plus grated vegetables, and often will add grated cheese or meat to make it extra yummy. My question is, how gradual should the change be (days? weeks?) I am waiting for some info from my vet on this, but if anyone else has experience in doing this I'd love to hear how it went.

Thanks!

Barb and Lara

myrocky · #2 03-11-2003, 09:13 AM

I wish you luck with this because the new rescue might not eat the kibble

Rocky isn't picky about treats but he is picky about meals now. If you set a bowl of kibble in front of him he won't touch it, even if you try to dress it up with yummies. I don't have to worry about him when we have fosters because he won't go near their food

Since you are feeding the kibble with lots of yummies I would start out with mostly veggies/meats with a little bit of kibble in there. Then slowly increase the kibble to where it is more than the yummies. Unless your vet is a holistic one or at least approves of raw he/she is probably going to tell you to stop right away that it isn't good. That's rubbish!

I know that you are feeding a great kibble right now (the Royal Canin) but be prepared for some changes. Some dogs do not do well and do not thrive on being switched back down to kibble. They get sick, start to develope allergies and have loose stools. His hair might start to fall out and he might be mopey. I am not saying this is a definite but it is possible. If you find that he just cannot thrive on kibble are you willing to put him back on BARF or at least a homemade diet? That would only be fair to him.

Andie

neilsmom2000 · #3 03-11-2003, 12:53 PM

Thanks for the input! I will certainly watch for physical/emotional changes in Wilson, and revise his diet if necessary.
I gave his current owner a few cups of food to mix in with his few last meals there. She reported that he ate the raw part of his meal first, and then ate up the kibble like a piggy

I have a feeling it won't be too hard to convince this dog to eat anything! From the sounds of it, he's a good eater. Anyway, his current owner reported that he's not had an upset tummy or the runs *phew*!
My vet advised me to mix 1/2 kibble 1/2 boiled rice for a few days, and then gradually increase the amount of kibble and phase out the rice. I think since he's accustomed to eating veggies, I'll include a bit of those too.

I think an Ontario Boxer Rescue bash would be fun! I didn't officially adopt through OBR (although I was on the waiting list. It just so happened that an aquaintence of mine couldn't keep Wilson, and asked me if I'd take him). Perhaps in the summer, when we come out of this deep freeze? *sigh*

Will summer ever arrive?

I'll keep posting on Wilson's progress...

Barb and Lara---and as of tonight, Wilson!

Muttluvr · #4 03-11-2003, 01:25 PM

Congratulations on your new addition

. Get some pics up ASAP

newark · #5 03-11-2003, 03:09 PM

Barb, I'm jealous! You got your new rescue boy so quickly. I hope it all goes well, and welcome Wilson to the family!

Our doggie daycare has another boxer, who's parents make a point of bringing him in when Jersey is going to be there. They want him to be able to play with another boxer, so this works out mighty nice for me. We'll see if we turn into a two dog household soon enough, our homevisit from OBR should be the end of March.

Again, congrats on the new baby!

#6 03-11-2003, 05:17 PM

I am offically done with this board. AFter the going "down" to kibble and Tam's rant on the evils of kibble vs. raw (I have seen multiple animals die on the raw diet for various reasons) I can't take it anymore. If you don't go to a Holistic Vet or feed Raw, you're a 2nd rate member in some peoples eyes. Tam throws out the facts without backing it up with any concrete facts (only what she "thinks"). Good luck to you and your Boxers. Please ban this account.

Thanks.

myrocky · #7 03-11-2003, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hemingway
Please ban this account.

Thanks.

Absolutely! Matt can you please show this member the way out?

Matt S · #8 03-11-2003, 05:28 PM

Quote:

I am offically done with this board......
Please ban this account.

Done.

Glad to be of assistance.

cashisking · #9 03-11-2003, 06:02 PM

I love that teamwork!!!

neilsmom, good luck with the switch, and best of luck with Wilson. Do let us know how it goes.. I am very interested in what you find out...

Jenn

cashisking · #10 03-11-2003, 10:52 PM

Different people have different comfort levels. I for one respect that. The original poster is looking for help with switching back to kibble.
To that end, Cassius stayed with a friend who free fed his dog kibble for a week. Soooo Cash helped himself to snacks. I can say in that week, he had runs, threw up, had HORRID (more than usual) gas, and gained a bunch of weight in a short period of time. That is the extent of my knowledge of switching to kibble. BUT you and his current owner are working him into it, so you will catch any effects and deal with them when the time comes.
I know that we have definate opinions on what we feed and MOST of us are defending our choice constantly, I think that this isn't a time to defend our choice. I hope that Wilson adapts well to his new diet (though I have to agree with Andie he may not WANT it, you can always sweeten the deal with goodies during his adapting to kibble) and his new forever home. And I do hope you will keep us up to date on your findings.

Good Luck

Jenn