MAD is Barking about: DRY..WET...BARF....

This week's topic is a bit of a tricky one coz we can talk about it till the cows (or in this case Dogs) come home and we will still be left with an epic debate! So The Barking Ladies take on this topic is.....to each his own! Yup all 3 of us have differing views on this...

STARK highlighted Weird food that dogs eat and my god were there some really weird food like Durian, Cantaloupe, Wasabi and Milk?! Agreed that we should allow our pooches luxuries like this from time to time but make sure everything is in moderation to ensure that you have a healthy pet. Could Weird food be the reason why STARK's tri breed concoctions look like pure breds?!

RAVING pointed out the pros and cons of Dry food and Wet food as well as how we can use a combination of both types of food to strike a balance. Between us 3, I'm the one without a dog and so this doggy food debate is one that I have researched to death as I only want to provide the best care for my lovely Boxer.

MAD's additional pointers:

- When it comes to convenience and affordability, Dry food wins hands down

- A lot of the time, the size of your dog may determine the type of food it would eat. For example, a large dog might have trouble meeting its energy needs on canned food alone whereas a small dog should do just fine on canned food

- Senior dogs, small dogs and dogs with dental problems find it easier to chew on soft canned food

- Dry food helps strengthen a dog's jaw muscles and satisfies its natural instinct to chew

- Some Dry food may be sprayed with animal fat to make it more appetizing but this is unnecessary and unhealthy so always check the label before you purchase it

- Overweight dogs can get leaner if they are on a wet food diet as it makes them feel full for a longer period of time. However, a high-protein dry food could also do the trick!

Another diet that is fast gaining popularity is the Raw Food diet. This diet was first proposed by Ian Billinghurst in 1993 and it places emphasis on raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables. He calls it BARF which stands for Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

Advantages of BARF:

- Healthier skin

- Cleaner teeth

- Shinier coats

- Increased energy levels

- Smaller stools


Disadvantages of BARF:

- Higher chance of bones to choke your dog, break teeth or cause an internal puncture

- Dog and human is exposed to bacteria in raw meat

- Unbalanced raw diet might damage a dog's health if given for an extended period of time

Dry food, wet food or BARF?? Too confused to choose? Well I think the best way to go is a mixture of all three diets. It provides variety in your dog's diet, keeps your pet guessing on what it's going to have for its next meal and it enables you to be a responsible owner who plays an active role in ensuring you have a healthy dog!

Always remember to check the label when buying your dog's food to ensure there are no unnecessary additives or fillers. Remember that moderation is key in ensuring a healthy dog and coupled with the right amount of exercise you will be the proud owner of a happy and healthy dog!!