Dog owners are increasingly discussing different feeding options. As a result, BARF, which was previously viewed with skepticism, is now being tried out more and more often.
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) can be translated as "biologically appropriate raw feeding." However, this does not simply mean feeding your dog any kind of raw meat or uncooked bones with meat scraps that they can gnaw on and eat until they are full, but rather the idea of feeding your dog as close to its natural diet as possible.
We all know that dogs are descended from wolves and that wolves are carnivores and scavengers. However, as dogs were domesticated, their gastrointestinal tract adapted to the conditions of human care and, over time, dogs became carnivorous omnivores, i.e. they eat meat and everything else. An article published in 2013 showed that dogs have adapted to the human diet and, compared to wolves, can break down larger amounts of starch and use it as a source of energy. Therefore, the wolf's diet cannot be transferred 1:1 to dogs.
Before starting a raw food diet, a balanced nutrition plan should be developed for the dog to prevent malnutrition. The raw food diet should include not only meat, but also fruit, vegetables, healthy oils, and grains. You should therefore thoroughly research the topic in advance and talk to your veterinarian about how to implement a raw food diet in a sensible way. It is particularly important to work closely with your vet when you first start changing your dog's diet. You may want to be absolutely sure, so have a full blood test and check-up carried out before you start. After around six to eight months (or after a year at the latest), you should have another check-up to see if everything is going well.
You should be aware that BARF requires more effort than simply feeding dry or wet food. In addition to purchasing the food components, you also have to prepare the food, which takes some time, especially at the beginning when everything is still new.
Overall, you should pay attention to the following points when feeding a BARF diet:
Unfortunately, raw meat is often contaminated with germs and can cause illness (e.g. Aujeszky's disease) in your dog. But feeding raw meat can also pose a risk to you, as the germs can be transmitted to you through close contact with your four-legged friend. This can pose a significant risk, especially for people with weakened immune systems, such as children, the elderly, or pregnant women. It is therefore best to find a farm or butcher where you can obtain fresh meat of the appropriate quality. You can also order "raw food packages" online, but hygiene and knowledge about the origin of the food are even more important here than elsewhere.
A very special friendship can develop between children and dogs. However, it is important for parents and dog owners to observe a few basic rules. And it is also important to remember that some dog-child pairs are simply not meant for each other, and this must be recognized responsibly. The basis for a partnership with a dog is always respectful and loving interaction—and training with clear rules for human-dog communication.
A horse stands in its stall with its head hanging down and a high fever. Other horses in the stable show similar symptoms. The veterinarians treating them suspect a viral infection and send blood samples to the laboratory. If a herpes virus infection is detected, this usually spells disaster for many horse owners and breeders. To contain the spread of this highly contagious infection, entire stables must be closed and competitions canceled, which can quickly lead to immense economic losses. But how do the animals become infected so suddenly?
Horse owners are probably more familiar with phlegmon under the colloquial term "shooter." It is a purulent inflammation of the connective tissue and lymph vessels of the subcutaneous tissue, which occurs primarily on the limbs and can lead to massive swelling and pain.
This adrenal gland disorder, also known as Addison's disease, was first described in humans in 1855 by Thomas Addison (chief physician at a London hospital), after whom it was named. It causes adrenal insufficiency (also known as hypoadrenocorticism), which is the partial or total failure of hormone production in the adrenal cortex. It is much less common in dogs than adrenal hyperfunction (Cushing's disease), but can lead to life-threatening symptoms. It primarily affects middle-aged female dogs of large breeds.
Cryptorchidism refers to the failure of the testicles to descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum. Small male dogs are most commonly affected by cryptorchidism.
Every rider knows this feeling. The horse is somehow stiff, tense, and no longer moves smoothly. However, it is not lame, just less supple. When you touch different points on its back, neck, or hindquarters, the skin and tissue feel tight, too tight. This may be because the horse's muscles are tense. However, it is often due to the connective tissue, the fascia. When it is stuck together, tension arises.
Every rider has probably heard of this disease. It has been known for decades and is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses. Spavin is actually an umbrella term for all inflammatory and chronic changes in the hock joints. The disease is classified as lameness caused by wear and tear and affects older horses in particular. Contrary to popular belief, however, a diagnosis of spavin does not mean that your horse is no longer rideable. With a carefully tailored treatment plan and an appropriate exercise program, this condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed well.
Cataracts describe the clouding of the lens in a dog's eye, which, similar to humans, is one of the most common causes of blindness. The condition therefore requires veterinary treatment, as modern surgical techniques can now preserve vision in dogs.
Mites are small pests that belong to the arachnid family. Cats can be affected by various types of mites, which live either in the fur, on or in the skin, and in the ear area, causing severe itching. In addition, a mite infestation always carries the risk of transmission to humans, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
Obstetrics deals with monitoring pregnancy, preparing for and assisting with childbirth, providing postnatal care, and performing any necessary surgical procedures, such as caesarean sections. It is a branch of gynecology.
Cats are among the most popular pets worldwide. Around 15.7 million domestic cats live in Germany. However, living with cats has changed significantly in recent decades. From farm cats that caught mice, they have increasingly become domestic cats that have had to adapt to their owners' daily routines. Restricted in their desire for freedom, the majority of these cats now live exclusively indoors. This can result in varying degrees of behavioral changes in cats.
When keeping horses, we as owners are constantly challenged to consider what might be best for our horses. One positive development in horse husbandry is that more and more stables are trying to offer conditions that meet horses' natural needs for sufficient free movement and contact with other horses. However, keeping horses exclusively in groups, such as in an open or active stable, may not be the best option for every horse, especially in the case of stallions or older horses with special needs. It is up to us to decide on the best form of care for each individual horse and to create the best conditions for them. One aspect of this is the choice of bedding in the stall or the lying area of our horse.
