Mary Allen
BARF is a dog feeding method that eliminates all processed and cooked foods. Instead, raw meat, bones, and vegetables are on the menu. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of BARF and how do I BARF correctly? Find out below:
What is BARF in Dogs & Where Did the Idea Come From?
The BARF nutritional trend originated in the USA. When he first appeared can no longer be traced exactly. The abbreviation “Barf” originally stood for “Born-Again Raw Feeders”.
Then it was explained with “Bones and Raw Food” – “bones and raw food”. That describes the content of the feeding method relatively simply. In German, BARF is usually explained as “biologically appropriate raw feeding” or “biologically appropriate raw food”.
The basic idea behind BARF is that raw feed contains more nutrients than processed feed. During the cooking and further processing of the food, a large part of the vitamins and minerals are destroyed, according to the BARF advocates.
What Can the Dog Eat?
The feeding method is based on the original eating habits of wolves and other wild dogs. When barfing, the dog takes raw fresh meat – including the bones – as well as raw, pureed vegetables and fruit. Dairy products for dogs, eggs, and various oils are also included in the bowl with raw feeding.
Examples of suitable fruits and vegetables for dogs with BARF are:
● Carrots
● Fennel
● Beetroot
● Spinach
● Kohlrabi
● Bananas
● Apples
● Apricots
● Strawberries
Which Meat is Suitable If You Want to BARF Dogs With It?
Offal such as tripe and other ruminant stomachs are easily digestible, very rich in vitamins, and are enthusiastically accepted by most dogs. Green tripe is particularly healthy, but it can pose an olfactory challenge for dog owners due to its smell. Good BARF meat is muscle meat from beef, lamb, or poultry. You can also bark dogs with unusual types of meat such as horses, kangaroo, or antelope.
On the other hand, raw meat from pork or wild boar is an absolute no-go. Cats and dogs can catch the rare but deadly Aujeszky’s disease. Offal such as liver and kidneys are rich in nutrients, but should only be fed once a week because, as filter organs, they also contain many harmful substances. They are also difficult to digest and can lead to diarrhea in large quantities.
Which Oil for Dogs Can Be Put in the Bowl When BARF?
There are also certain oils and fats in the feed for dog health. Well tolerated and nutritious are usually, among other things:
- Fish oils, for example, salmon, cod, or cod oil
- Linseed oil
- Hemp oil
- Rapeseed oil
How Much Raw Food Does My Dog Need?
Barf dog food consists of between 70 and 80 percent meat, bones, and offal. The remaining 20 to 30 percent consists of pureed vegetables and fruit. An adult dog needs 2 to 3 percent of its body weight in food per day, divided into several portions. A 20 kg dog should therefore be fed 400 to 600 grams of food per day.
However, to be on the safe side, consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes. It can help you calculate the right amount of food for your dog. The vet can also tell you how much energy and what nutrients your dog needs. Because, unlike canned food, when barfing you have to know exactly how much energy the food provides and what nutrients it contains.
Tip: Ask the Veterinarian Before Going to the BARF
However, there is also criticism of the method: Some veterinarians suspect that BARF can trigger deficiency symptoms, gastrointestinal problems, and other health problems. You can see the difficulty in the individual portioning of the individual nutritional components according to the dog’s needs.
To be on the safe side, you should therefore only start barfing after consulting your veterinarian. Not only can he give you general tips on feeding fresh meat, but he also knows exactly what your darling needs. After all, the food must be tailored to the dog’s breed, age, and of course the health of the dog.
Adherents of this diet often list the following as benefits:
● BARF is a species-appropriate dog diet: BARF corresponds to the evolutionary origin of the dog. Because the feeding method comes close to the diet of wolves, the ancestors of the four-legged friends.
● Only healthy ingredients in the food: The owner knows exactly what ends up in the dog’s bowl when barfing. No unnecessary chemicals, no waste products, and no flavor enhancers.
● Fewer feces thanks to BARF: Compared to dry and wet food, dogs can digest raw meat better. This means that there are not as many waste products and the amount of feces is reduced.
● Healthy digestion: BARF can also contribute to healthy dog digestion. Flatulence, for example, can be alleviated or even avoided in the long term.
● Dog smells better: If you do everything right with BARF, your dog gets all the nutrients it needs and no unnecessary additives. This makes his coat more beautiful and the typical dog smell is less intense.
● BARF is good for dental health: Bones, which are an integral part of BARF, act as a kind of teeth cleaning. In this way, tartar, gingivitis, and bad breath can be prevented.
Dogs BARF for Beginners: How Do I BARF Correctly?
Would you like to feed your dog raw meat, but don’t know exactly how to start feeding it raw meat? Here you will find five useful tips on how to convert your four-legged friend to the BARF method.
Find Out Beforehand
Before you start BARF, find out about the nutritional needs of your four-legged friend and the process of the dog’s digestion. In addition, you must be well versed in hygiene when buying and storing meat.
If your dog requires special nutrition due to illness or particularly strenuous physical activity, you should also consider this. It is best to talk to your vet about this.
Plan Enough Time
Take the time to change your diet. On the one hand, your four-legged friend has to get used to the new food. On the other hand, BARF also requires a lot of effort. You must now regularly buy raw meat for your dog, store it properly and prepare it properly.
Inform About the Individual Nutritional Needs of the Dog
Find out more about your dog’s nutritional needs. So you can choose the right meat, dairy, eggs, vegetables, and fruits for raw feeding. In some cases, it may be necessary to supplement the BARF with additives. For example, if your dog cannot tolerate certain foods or has a certain chronic illness. Then there may be an increased need for nutrients.
Feed Bones with Caution
Wild wolves may happily gnaw or suck the marrow on any type of bone, but only serve your dog selected, high-quality bones. The bones of young animals that are not porous and do not splinter are particularly suitable for barfing. On the other hand, you should never feed chicken bones, as they can splinter and easily injure your dog.
Control Digestion
When you first start barfing your dog, it’s important to keep an eye on their digestion. If he tends to have diarrhea after the change in diet or if the stool is too hard, you should consult your veterinarian. Keep watching your four-legged friend even after you have successfully changed your diet. If you notice anything unusual, your veterinarian can always help you.
However, if your dog appears healthy and lively after switching to BARF, has a shiny coat, and shows no other abnormalities in terms of its physical condition and behavior, you have done everything right.