Can you BARF your cat?

BARF – biologically appropriate raw feeding

BARF stands for Biological Appropriate Raw Feeding, or in German biologisch artgerechte Rohfütterung.

The basic idea behind BARF is the return to the  original form of nutrition, because our cats originally descend from wild animals. In the wild, wildcats hunt other animals and eat their meat and organs. BARF builds on this, →mainly for dogs.

The breeding of our current feline friends has over time led to the fact that cats' digestive enzymes have partially adapted to other food components . So, not only externally, an evolution has taken place and the return to natural feeding forms does not happen à la: "Here, go catch your rabbit!" If you want to BARF your cat according to its needs, there are a few things to consider and you should inform yourself well in advance. Because in addition to animal proteins, which make up the largest part of the food pyramid for cats, fats, fiber, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins are also included. Thus, ingredients like oils, optionally fruit or vegetables, and herbs also belong in your cat's food.

Regardless of the feeding method, your feline friend's meals should follow the structure of the nutritional pyramid for cats.

Can you BARF cats?

In principle, it is possible to provide cats with a balanced diet through raw feeding. However, a look at the nutritional requirements reveals that wildcats and house cats differ quite a bit: While wild cats hunt for their food and are very active, our feline friends often spend most of the day lounging on the couch if they are not outdoor cats. Even an intense hunting game with a teaser wand is nowhere near the activity level of a wildcat.

To ensure optimal nutrient supply for your cat with the BARF feeding method, you need good basic knowledge, a professional feeding plan and a bit of practice. This feeding method is often also more time-consuming, requires enough storage space for fresh ingredients and ideally a large freezer – at least if you rely on traditional BARF methods.

The idea of doing something good for your cat by feeding natural food ingredients is very commendable – but not always absolutely necessary. Much more important is the right composition and quality of the ingredients in →species-appropriate cat nutrition. The freshest ingredients are useless if the composition is wrong or, conversely, if the food components are of poor quality. That's why at Pets Deli, we focus on genuine →premium quality in all our products and serve your darling a tasty and healthy menu.

How to BARF cats correctly?

BARF is about serving our four-legged friends 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 cat. That's why it's almost impossible to recommend a universally valid feeding amount, as it must be very specifically tailored to your cat's needs. However, it's obvious that when →feeding a young kitten, who is adventurously exploring the home and garden, a different composition will likely be needed than →for an elderly senior cat, who wants to spend her retirement relaxing on the sofa.

If you want to BARF your cat, a menu usually consists of:

• about 90% meat (mainly muscle meat, lung, kidney, tripe, liver)

• about 5% vegetables and if necessary fruit, with the vegetable portion being significantly higher

• about 5% healthy fats or unsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids)

Note, however, that there are numerous approaches to BARF feeding and not only the ingredients but also the composition of the menus can vary greatly.

Raw feeding is a bit more demanding for cats, as they require much more meat than dogs.

The composition of a BARF menu for cats

Unlike our dogs, cats are true carnivores, so-called obligate carnivores. The essential main ingredient in a healthy cat menu therefore consists mainly of meat. Of course, vegetables and also fruit are still important components in the →nutrition of kittens and cats as well as minerals and oils.

Muscle meat

Whether BARF or →wet food or dry food – a cat's menu should have a meat content of 95%. This high meat content covers almost all daily required nutrients. Meat (especially muscle meat) provides your four-legged friend with valuable energy from proteins and fats. Through organs such as liver, kidney, lung, and tripe, which should make up a maximum of 35% of the meat content, your cat is supplied with vitamins. Also, 1/3 bones should be included in the meat content, as they provide your pet with important minerals. Alternatively, these can also be provided via a mineral supplement.

The taurine contained in meat is vital and essential for cats, meaning they cannot produce this substance themselves, which is why it must be supplied in sufficient quantity through the meat content or supplemented if necessary.

Fruit & vegetables

Another 5 percent consists preferably of →vegetables and possibly also fruit. The fiber contained in vegetables is important to support the natural bowel activity of your pet and thus ensure good digestion. In addition, vegetables and fruit provide an extra dose of vitamins and minerals.

Vegetables yes, but please not vegetarian. Cats need plenty of meat and only a small portion of vegetables in their food.

Important supplements

As already mentioned above: The creation of a BARF feeding plan is very complex and requires a lot of research, otherwise you risk that your beloved pet will develop deficiencies in the long run if fed incorrectly. The original idea of BARF is based on feeding a whole prey animal over a longer period. This includes organs  such as omasum, tripe, but also blood and bones. Only in this way are all essential nutrients provided in sufficient quantities. Some important components can also be added through dietary supplements, such as valuable oils and minerals:

Oils

An omega-3 oil or high-quality salmon oil supplies your cat with essential healthy unsaturated fatty acids. This portion can also be covered by calculated →feeding of fish such as salmon.

Minerals or a mineral mix

Your cat's body cannot produce minerals itself. However, they are essential and involved in numerous metabolic processes as well as important functions in the body, such as building bones and teeth, healthy muscle function, an intact nervous system, and protection against skin and coat problems.

If you choose to cover your cat's mineral intake with components such as organs and other meaty ingredients, that's absolutely fine. In this case, make sure the environment is clean to ensure the best possible hygiene. If you are concerned that the time required cannot or can only partially be reconciled with your daily routine, you can also replace these important components with special mineral mixes.

There is a lot to consider when it comes to nutrition during kittenhood. High-quality wet and/or dry food for young cats is a great choice here.

Is BARF better than dry or wet food?

We’ll be completely honest with you: BARF means work. Because unlike with ready-made →complete foods like wet or dry food you have to adapt the individual food components to your cat's needs yourself. On top of that, you must maintain the highest hygiene standards at all times. After all, you are handling raw meat and organs, so you must always ensure everything is germ-free.

Regardless of the right feeding method for your cat, one thing is clear: The content makes the difference. Every food is only as species-appropriate as its ingredients (and their quality). Whether you choose BARF, →wet food or →dry food – what matters is that the chosen food contains a high meat content. Muscle meat is especially high-quality and healthy for your cat, while vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals.

Meat of lower quality is indicated by the vague declaration "meat and animal by-products" – which can include feathers, claws, hooves, horns, and wool for example. A portion of fresh fruit provides the extra boost of vitamins and gives a fresh, fruity taste. Selected herbs and oils refine the respective food and round it off with important fatty acids.