Has anybody feed been feeding a raw diet long enough that you've raised a GSD from puppy to a timely natural death? Any anecdotes on impact on longevity? Geriatric vitality?

Do the years of early BARFING pay high dividends in the golden years? Or are we seeing the primary benefit being a more robust prime?

Steve I didn't start on the raw diet till my dogs, Working Terriers, were 5, 9, and 11. It made a FANTASTIC difference in the old guy especially. He started acting like a young dog again. In addition, their teeth cleaned up by themselves. I normally would scrape them twice a year. The yard cleanup is almost nonexistant with my small dogs, and it doesn't stink. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
That didn't answer your question about a dog that has spent a whole life on BARF, but I'm sure a believer.

I had the same question on my mind... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So, when you say cleanup is almost nonexistent with the smaller dogs, do you mean that they poop much less or that the poop is easier to clean? What was the noticeable difference in the texture of the stools?

For the older dog, was the marked difference mainly in his energy and liveliness? Did he seem to push back any physical ailments also?

Curious,
b.

Ben, with the raw diet what goes in does not equal what comes out. This is because there is no filler in the diet. I have never weighed the before and afters <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> but I can tell you that the poos are very small even with a large dog on the raw diet.

Even the premium kibble poos are still larger and much stinkier than any raw diet poo I have yet to see.

Thanks, Deanna!

This is definitely another good reason for going BARF. I am very happy with much of the readings I've done on BARF so far and I think it's really the way to go.

b.

Ben, the old dog definately became more active. As far as pushing back ailments, there's not much that goes wrong with my terriers. Their tough little sh!+$. Being small dogs, their stools break down with a good rain if I miss any in the yard.

I have been feeding it for over 8 yrs. When I started my rough collie was just over 5, my other dogs (gsd) were 3 1/2, 2,and 1.

My collie lived to 13 1/2. She had no significant health problems. She had very bad arthritis in her back/shoulder due to some accidents and the change in her diet made a SIGNIFICANT difference in her energy and mobility. She had good mobility all the way to her death. She was very healthy the whole time and then in 2 wks. went down hill and died. (suspected cancer in her uretha).

My gsd that was 3 1/2 had gastro problems before switching to raw. He never had any of these problems afterwards. His bladder burst at 4 1/2 (vet could never find a reason) and he did amazingly well after surgery. Shocked the vet! He was an extrememly active dog and ball crazy (swallowed a ball at 3). Other than those things, I never had problems with him and he had never been to the vet for anything after the BARF switch (except the burst bladder) up until last year. He started having some bowel problems in Aug. last year. After MANY tests, x-rays, ultrasounds nothing was conclusive. I decided to treat him homeoapthically for his symptoms. He went into a remission (had no more bowel problems) up until April of this year. Then the bowels started again. He would do good after homeopathic remedies but the good times did not last long. He died at the end of May 10 days short of his 12th birthday. Something had ruptured and the vet suspected cancer again.

I now have an 10 yr. old. Last time she was at the vet was in Dec. for an injury she sustained playing with my 2 yr. old. (he stopped short and she rammed into him). She hurt her back/disk and I have been doing a bit of swimming therapy and chiro and she is doing well. Before the injury the last time she was at the vet was when she was 3 and she had a C-section to deliever 1 pup.

My 7 yr. old has not been to the vet for any health problems, only injuries. (she has been on raw her whole life). She does have spondylosis due to injuries and I do see a chiro with her and treat her pain etc with homeopathy. She is my main sheep herding dog and does ALL the chores daily here.

My almost 3 yr. old has never been to a vet.

I will also add that I have not done vaccines for over 6 yrs. I think that combined with the diet has a lot to do with thier good health.