BARF

Visalia, Calif., resident Valinda Marston is a bit outspoken when it comes to what she feeds her pets. "If you find out what's in dog food, you wouldn't feed it to a rat. It's really bad." She not only makes her own food (various recipes here), but is also convinced her healthier pets actually scare away fleas, ticks and heartworm: "They would rather go to a dog with a weaker immune system, just like any other kind of parasite."

While Marston herself may not have yet registered on the economic indicator radar, she is certainly part of a trend. A recent report detailing the changing nature of pet diets and what it could mean in terms of money even takes special notice of how the "homemade wave" of people making pet food is and could continue to effect businesses.

So, whether you are interested in it for business or personal (?) consumption, remember BARF — a disgusting image, but a catchy acronym. When you want to know something, recipes or business taking advantage of "bones and raw food" or "biologically appropriate raw food" just stick BARF in your favorite internet search engine and see what it throws up.