How does the BARF diet change blood results?

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is a method of nutrition that includes raw, muscular meat, edibles, bones, organs, fruits, vegetables and oils. The concept of feeding dogs raw food has been around for a long time, but the term “BARF” was created by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst in the 1990s. He popularized the idea that dogs should consume the food they would find in their natural environment, suitable for their biological species. The BARF diet has numerous potential benefits for pets, such as improved digestion, healthier skin and coat, increased energy levels, better dental hygiene, and more.

In 1860, American entrepreneur James Spratt created the first commercially available kibble. Because of their convenience, price and variety, they are popularized and become a commercial food.

To date, most people who do not think twice choose kibble for their pet, because they are an easy, convenient and affordable option. But in fact, this choice can cause enormous damage in the long run. Despite the benefits and advantages of the natural BARF diet, this method is still not so commercial and remains in the background. The lack of information leads to prejudice even for most veterinarians. They do not recommend raw food, as they do not have the necessary knowledge and competencies in the field. This is quite normal, most veterinarians are not nutritionists and this is not their expertise. We don’t consult our ophthalmologist about our diet, but why do we do it for our pets?

One of the main reasons that worries many people is the increased blood count in dogs fed raw. The results of blood tests in raw food diets are often different and this is something that both you and your veterinarian should be prepared for. The higher values are not worrying, but quite logical and explainable.

In this regard, we will look at a study by Dr. Jean Dodds. She compared the blood values of 256 healthy, adult dogs of different ages and breeds for 9 months. The dogs were divided into two parts: one group was fed kibble and the other was fed raw food for nine months. No significant difference was found between the results in the two groups, with the exception of: hematocrit (PCV), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. These parameters are in the normal range, but have higher values in raw foodists.

Hematocrit (PCV)

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells. Lower hematocrit values (anemia) can be caused by improper nutrition, parasites or chronic diseases. Increased values (dehydration) are more worrying for dogs fed dry food due to the lack of moisture. Dogs fed raw food get more easily digestible animal protein, enough iron and vitamin B from a protein diet. This is why increased PCV values are not surprising.

Blood urea (BUN)

BUN is a waste product derived from the breakdown of proteins. It is produced in the liver and filtered by the blood through the kidneys. Its low levels are most often due to a low-protein diet, liver disease, or steroid use. Its increased values can be caused by impaired absorption of proteins or impaired kidney function. Dogs fed raw have a full range of easily digestible animal-based amino acids, so a higher BUN value makes sense.

Creatine

Creatinine is a product of muscle breakdown and is also filtered out of the blood through the kidneys. It is increased by kidney dysfunction, dehydration, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract and due to dietary factors. Normal, healthy kidneys produce a constant amount of creatinine over time.

Conclusion

Complete blood counts and analysis are important for dogs, no matter what their diet is. They provide valuable information about their overall health and help to detect hidden diseases or changes in the body. As we have already seen, higher values in the group of raw foodists are not surprising, given that they are related to protein metabolism. In order for the results of blood tests to be accurate and objective, it is necessary to develop normal reference values specifically for dogs fed raw food.

The BARF method can provide a balanced, raw diet, high in quality proteins, healthy fats, a minimum amount of carbohydrates, natural enzymes, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. And a good meal is the key to your pet’s overall well-being, health and well-being.

If you want to find out more about the benefits of the BARF feeding method, read more here.