BARF - biologically appropriate raw feeding
BARF - this stands for Biological Appropriate Raw Feeding, which translates to German as biologisch artgerechte Rohfütterung.
The idea behind BARF is the return to the original form of nutrition, as our dogs originally descend from wild animals. In the wild, wolves hunt other animals and eat their meat and innards. This is what BARF is based on. Of course, the feeding method has been adapted for our modern household dogs, and the return to natural feeding methods does not happen like: "Here, grab your rabbit!"
But raw meat, isn't that totally complicated and disgusting? Yes and no! Of course, there is more work involved than simply opening a can of wet food, but once you get the hang of the BARF concept, followers of this feeding method do not want to miss it anymore. We explain how you can find a simple entry into BARF.
How to properly BARF?
BARF is about serving your dog the individual food components as fresh and high-quality as possible in their bowl. The exact dosage of BARF ingredients always depends on the size, age, and activity of your dog. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to recommend a universally valid feeding amount, as it must be very specifically tailored to your dog's needs. However, it is obvious that a cozy Maltese likely requires a different composition than an active shepherd dog. And a →senior dog with a gray muzzle has different needs than when →BARFing a young puppy.
Viele frische Zutaten, angepasst auf die Bedürfnisse deines Hundes - frischer als mit der Rohfütterung gehts eigentlich nicht.
A meal when BARFing typically consists of:
- about 70% meat (composed of 50% muscle meat, 20% tripe, 15% innards, and 15% raw bones)
- about 20% vegetables and fruits, with the vegetable proportion being significantly higher
- about 10% healthy fats or unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids)
Note that there are numerous approaches to BARF feeding and not only the ingredients but also the compositions of the menus can vary greatly.
You want to try BARF but weighing and assembling everything seems too complicated and time-consuming? No problem! Why not try our "BARF-Complete": fresh meat, vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as valuable minerals and oils already weighed and portioned - for a simple entry into BARF and the full freshness experience in the bowl!
Für Einsteiger & Zeitsparer! Unsere Komplett-Menüs sind deine beste Wahl. Vollwertig & sofort im Napf!
BARF is not just a meat diet!
The high meat content in your dog's BARF menu already covers a lot of the daily required nutrients. Meat provides your four-legged friend with valuable proteins and fats, which serve as energy sources. Vitamins are obtained from the innards as well as from vegetables and fruits. Bones provide important minerals, which can also be fed through a mineral supplement if needed. However, the majority in the bowl is made up of muscle meat.
Contrary to what many think, BARF is not just a meat diet. Because that would be anything but healthy and species-appropriate. Our dogs also need vegetables and fruits, which provide important fiber, vitamins, and minerals. An Omega-3 oil or fresh fish like →salmon finally supplies healthy unsaturated fatty acids. Depending on whether you want to feed your dog components with innards and bones or not, you can also replace these components with special mineral mixes.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Unabhängig von der Fütterungsart sollten die Mahlzeiten deines Hundes dem Aufbau der Ernährungspyramide für Hunde entsprechen.
The components in BARFing
To understand the roles of the individual components in BARFing and why they are so important, let's take a closer look at the bowl:
Muscle meat
Meat contains many vital nutrients such as →iron, zinc, and sodium, as well as essential amino acids, but above all protein, which is important for the growth of animals and muscle development. Muscle meat also includes the heart, an important source of taurine. Muscle meat is also quite low in fat and is suitable for both healthy animals and those prone to →overweight.
This meat is also easily digestible for your dog. In our fresh menus, you won't find minced meat, but small pieces - large enough for even big dogs to have something to chew on, but also very well consumed by small dog breeds.
Fruits & Vegetables
The prey of wolves, such as wild game and rodents, typically feeds on a vegetarian diet. Therefore, wild animals also absorb many nutrients from plant-based raw materials through the stomach contents of their prey. It is also a fact that wolves like to eat some berries and other greens, which is why you also find a vegetable component in the →fresh menus for dogs.
The vegetables we use for dogs are gently cooked. The cooking process breaks down the cell walls, allowing all nutrients to be well utilized and the vegetables to be very well digested.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Welches Gemüse dürfen Hunde essen? Wirf einen Blick in unsere Übersicht!
Did you know that dogs can also be fed vegetarian or even vegan? Read more in our →article about plant-based nutrition for dogs.
Important supplements
The original idea of BARFing involves the feeding of a whole prey animal over an extended period. This includes innards such as leaf stomach, tripe, as well as blood and bones. Only in this way are all vital nutrients provided in sufficient amounts.
As mentioned above: The compilation of a BARF nutrition plan is very time-consuming and requires a lot of research, as otherwise, there is a risk that your beloved four-legged friend may develop deficiencies in the long run due to improper nutrition.
So if you want to start raw feeding but also want to avoid innards, which carry a higher hygiene risk than pure muscle meat, our fresh menus are the ideal solution.
With the 1-2-3-BARF concept, you can turn our Pets Deli fresh menus with the mineral mix and some oil into a complete feed and thus cover all important nutrient components of a classic BARF meal.
Oils
→Oils for dogs such as our Omega-3 oil, salmon oil, or flaxseed oil provide important fatty acids that promote digestion and contribute to a healthy coat and skin condition. Alternatively, you can also feed fresh fish like salmon or →sprats. Here, the dosage depends on the size and weight of your furry friend.
Mineral mix
Our mineral mixes consist of natural ingredients such as eggshell powder, green-lipped mussel powder, and spirulina and cover all nutrients found in innards, bones, and blood - but without the harmful substances found in, for example, filter organs. The dosage of the mineral mix is based on the size and weight of your pet and can be found on the back of our packaging. There is also a distinction between a →mineral mix for adult dogs (Adult) and a →mineral mix for puppies and young dogs.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Ergänzt durch unseren Mineral-Mix und ein hochwertiges Öl ermöglichen dir unsere BARF-Menüs einen einfacher Einstieg ins BARFen.
How much work does BARFing involve?
We are honest with you: BARF means work. Because unlike with ready-made complete feeds like wet or dry food, you have to adjust the individual food components to your dog's needs yourself. Moreover, it is essential to maintain highest hygiene. After all, you are handling raw meat and innards, where germ-free conditions must be ensured.
When BARFing, you will have to deal with:
1. Preparation and research on nutrient and calorie requirements
2. Creating (or having created) a nutrition plan
3. Composition of meals
4. Procurement of the different ingredients (meat, innards, bones, fruits, and vegetables), including space for cooling
5. Preparation
Additionally, it is very important that you do not just wing it with the cooking spoon and mix meat, fruits, and vegetables. Everything must be precisely tailored to your dog's needs, because if you "BARF incorrectly," there is a risk of causing your furry friend long-term deficiencies or undernourishment.
You see: All these aspects make BARF a comparatively demanding and time-consuming feeding method. Ideally, you should consult trained nutrition or BARF advisors beforehand and have an individual nutrition plan created for your dog. Alternatively, you can try our practical 1-2-3-BARF concept:
With our Pets Deli fresh menus and the 1-2-3-BARF concept, we combine fresh BARFing with uncomplicated and easy feeding:
1. THAW: Remove from the package and let thaw in the refrigerator for about 12 hours before feeding.
2. REFINE: With →our mineral mix and one of →our cold-pressed oils, the fresh menu becomes a nutrient-complete and balanced meal for your furry friend.
3. FEED: Now, into the bowl with it and let them enjoy!
Two BARF methods compared
Is BARF better than dry or wet food?
Regardless of the →right feeding method for your dog, it can be said: The content makes the difference. Every food is only as species-appropriate as its components (and the quality of these). Whether you choose →BARFing, wet food, or dry food - what matters is that the chosen food contains a high meat content or another protein source. Muscle meat is particularly high-quality and healthy for your dog, while →vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals.
For meat of lower quality, the vague declaration "meat and animal by-products" is indicative - which can include feathers, claws, hooves, horns, and wool. A portion of fresh fruit provides an extra boost of vitamins and ensures a fresh, fruity taste. →Selected herbs and →oils refine the respective food and round it off with important fatty acids.
