Hi Catherine -- I feed both of my boxers BARF, however, I am not a true
BARFER anymore. That is -- I do not feed any kibble, but I do feed some
pasta, rice or cooked potatoes. Their main meals are BARF, their snacks
consist of a variety of foods -- banana chips, fruit (all kinds), yogurt,
and sometimes some cooked people left-overs. I started on BARF because my
male boxer tested highly allergic to corn and fish (two of the main
ingredients in all dog foods). Needless to say, after 2 years or so, we
have made a complete 180 degree turn and he is healthier than he has ever
been in his whole life (he's 4 yrs old, soon to be 5 in March). In fact, he
did so well on BARF, I started feeding my girl BARF as well. She is
thriving. Their coats have never looked better, their teeth are sparkling,
they don't have "boxer" breath. I'm sold, and don't know if I'll ever go
back to feeding kibble for any future pets I have. It actually is ending up
costing me a little bit less also because of all the specialized food we
were trying with Rocky before BARF. As far as switching over. My boy was
so sick, we just did cold turkey and crossed our fingers. The dog was
vomiting on a daily basis and had diahrea with everything he ate, so we
really couldn't upset his system too much more than it already had been.
Within a week, his stools firmed right up and he stopped vomiting. He
started putting on weight again, etc. Now the reason we started adding
rice, pasta, etc. is because he started feeling so good and started being
able to run around again (he could barely walk down the street previously),
he got very, very lean -- he wasn't unhealthy, just very skinny. So we feed
the extra as fillers to keep some "bulk" on him. Now I've been lectured
about the downsides of grains, etc. But my feeling is if it isn't broken,
don't fix it. He can't have corn, and he loves rice, overcooked pasta and
baked potatoes, and they do not dominate his meals, so I figure why not?
Hope this helps, and feel free to write me privately if you want to.
(sdoyle@...)

-----Original Message-----
From: purelypets@egroups.com [mailto:purelypets@egroups.com]
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 5:55 AM
To: purelypets@egroups.com
Subject: [purelypets] Digest Number 207



There is 1 message in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1. Re: Hello everyone
From: "Catherine Donnelly" <naturalpetfoods@...>


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2000 21:27:57 -0000
From: "Catherine Donnelly" <naturalpetfoods@...>
Subject: Re: Hello everyone

Hi!

My name is Cat Donnelly and I live in NW Arkansas with my 3 show pugs
(Can CH Elmer Gantry, Fahey's Born to Love and Junior), and my 3
stray cats. I noticed that the list is kinda quiet lately and I just
wanted to see who was here and awake. :)

Anyone feeding BARF? Home Cooked? True Super Premium kibbles? What
were your experiences when switching over?

Cat Donnelly



________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________








------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message is intended only for the designated recipient(s). It may
contain confidential or proprietary information and may be subject to the
attorney-client privilege or other confidentiality protections. If you are
not a designated recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute
this message. If you receive this in error, please notify the sender by
reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you.