To the unfamiliar, a raw food diet for your dog or cat can appear to be scary or unknown. There is an abundance of misinformation, myths, un-truths, and flat out incorrect information regarding feeding your dogs raw foods (also sometimes referred to as BARF - biologically appropriate raw food).

However, thankfully there is a growing wave of pet owners and veterinarians who are discovering and supporting the benefits of a natural raw food diet for both canines and felines. This isn't a fad, it's not a new "pet rock" gimmick, this is a movement that began decades ago thanks to pioneers such as Dr. Tom Lonsdale and Dr. Ian Billinghurst and is only now gaining the full attention it deserves - largely in part due to numerous and deadly pet food recalls over recent years.

There are an incredible number of myths out there which attempt to counter this growing surge. These myths and untruths are largely created by a multi million dollar commercial food industry which scrambles to keep a foothold on their market share. Much like today's human fast food industry tries to spin their product as 'healthy' - but like everyone will agree on, can never truly be as healthy as a fresh natural home-prepared meal. Many of the myths are dispelled with simple logic, and commonly are born from a simple lack of knowledge regarding the raw food diet. But that's changing - one pet owner at a time as the wave continues to surge.

Take some time, read some of the articles, and see the benefits that a natural raw diet brings to those that grace our lives with unconditional love. There are excellent books also available and linked for your review and consideration.

An article by Dave Herz (me) on required chemicals used by foods sent from meat producers to rendering plants for use in items like dog food kibbles and canned slop.

An article which discusses some of the concerns regarding sodium pentobarbital and mycotoxins found in commercials made pet kibble.

The benefits of green tripe by Dave Herz.

You'll often hear discussion as to whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores. We're firm believer that the dog is indeed a carnivore and has no need for grains or kibble foods. From the structure of a cat or dog's jaw, to their digestive system, all science, history, and reality points to them being carnivores.

Courtesy the RawMeatyBones website, this excellent article from Nexus magazine and author Dr. Tom Lonsdale discusses the damage being caused by commercial canned and dry kibble foods. Dr. Lonsdale was kind enough to email me and provide some other great links which I have included. He also has an excellent free newsletter which you can subscribe to.

Article by the Healthy Pet Journal outlining just some of the wonderful benefits of raw.

Great compilation of articles regarding various raw diet myths. And again, when you base decisions on facts and logic, all signs will point to why a raw food diet is superior to any other meal you could possibly feed you dog or cat. There simply is no debate about it.

Documentary that aired on CBC regarding what's really in commercially prepared dog kibbles.