ABSTRACT: This article aims to provide a critical review of the literature with respect to raw diets for canines and felines. Raw diets have increased greatly in popularity; therefore, it is important that veterinary nurses are aware of it.

There are differing views on this diet within the veterinary community, but it is important that clients receive objective advice. The review concluded that the main issues of raw diets were limited owner knowledge on the nutritional value and the associated malnutrition which can arise from unbalanced diets. Many of the research papers used were short studies; therefore, further research is required with longitudinal studies to determine the long-term effects of the diet.

Author

Katie Winter Bsc (Hons) RVN

Katie graduated Middlesex University with a First Class honours degree in BSc Veterinary Nursing in 2017. Since then she has been working in a small animal first opinion hospital. She has had an interest in nutrition in her studies and in general practice. This article is based on her dissertation that she researched in her final year of university. Email: katiewinter98@gmail.com

Keywords: BARF; biologically appropriate raw food

To cite this article: VOL 34 (07) • July 2019 • Veterinary Nursing Journal pp178-180

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