From Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,
Your Guide to Veterinary Medicine.
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Definition: As a word, "barf" is slang for "vomit". However, BARF used in conjunction with nutrition is an acronym for Bones And Raw Food diet -- something to be consumed for good health! This method of feeding was developed by Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian. He wrote Give Your Dog a Bone in 1993 and Grow Your Pups with Bones in 1998. The premise of this diet is to go back to the wild ancestry of dogs (and cats) and feed a diet that is not processed or cooked. Most of the commercial kibble diets today feature grains of some kind and are both cooked and processed. Raw diets may include raw meat, raw vegetables, eggs, yogurt, enzymes, and other natural foods.

Feeding a raw diet takes more commitment on the part of the owner than feeding kibble. Some manufacturers do offer "pre made" raw diets for convenience, which saves on preparation time, but also adds to the cost. Is this diet truly better for your pet? This is a hotly debated question. For the unexperienced, feeding kibble food is a safer bet for being "complete and balanced" as far as basic nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Feeding a raw diet without researching nutrition could be detrimental if basic needs aren't met. If considering this diet, please do thorough research, speak to your veterinarian as well as people who "BARF" their pets for tips and resources to assist with the "to BARF or not to BARF?" decision.

Additional Resources:
Veterinary Q & A: BARF Diet
The Viewer Viewpoint: Pet Food FAQ & Recipes
Viewer Viewpoint article on the BARF Diet

Veterinary Glossary Index

Also Known As: Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods

Examples: Jane decided to feed her pets a BARF diet after her friend said what a difference it made in her dog's health.