Thank you for reading and for commenting. Perhaps I should have titled this article “Consider the Source.” My intent was to argue both sides of the issue and let the reader decide what is best. Hence, my comment that veterinarians are but one credible source. I do believe vets are more knowledgeable about canine physiology and metabolic processes than the average dog owner or professional dog keepers such as myself. But they are not the gospel because after initial training at veterinary school, they derive most of their information updates about dog nutrition from reading material put out by dog food companies; and those vets that sell dog food from their offices do have a profit motive. It is also why I advised people to read labels and draw their own conclusions. I’ll say it again: Look at how your dog fares on a diet. That is your best indicator.

One other note. I did some label reading of my own. I looked at the ingredient lists of dog foods designed for small dogs produced by Iams, Eukanuba, Purina, Science Diet, and Royal Canin. Among these, not one listed peanut hulls in its mix. All listed dried beet pulp, so I did some research on the efficacy of that ingredient. Here is one reference to dried beet pulp, derived from the book Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, Hand, et al, 4th Edition, Walsworth Publishing Co.: “Beet pulp is an insoluble fiber source that is moderately fermentable. This means the fiber from beet pulp has the benefits of adding bulk and moisture to animal stools while providing an energy source that can improve the health of the colon.”

Ian Billinghurst did not invent the raw diet. Wild carnivores did millions of years ago. Billinghurst simply labelled it B.A.R.F. and brought it to the fore front.

If you believe the majority of vets are knowledgeable in nutrition, and their only interest is the well-being of your animal, wake up.

Have you read the label of vet recommended brand of dog food? ugh, peanut hulls, beet pulp.

You make some very good points however, in back tracking, you destroy the advances in credibility you are tryng to create.