Why Choose BARF?

The BARF Raw Dog Food Diet

BARF stands for either Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, or Bones And Raw Food. The first of those two is the more appropriate definition, because there’s more involved than just beef and bones.

There are major nutritional disadvantages involved in feeding your dog dried, pellet-type food (kibble):

More than half of the food is just filler with little-or-no nutritional value.
The cooking process kills most of the nutrients before the food even goes in the bag.
Some of the filler and preservatives cause allergies and health problems.
The quality control in dog food factories tends to waver between “ok” and “bad.”

On the flip side, there are definite health advantages to a BARF diet:

Fewer bathroom trips and firmer stools.
Better for your dog’s teeth, especially when raw bones are involved.
Less waste in the food means your dog will smell better.
Lower risk of dog food allergies.
Tends to result in a longer life-span.
Chewing the BARF diet will develop muscle tone.
More nutritional value reduces the risk of obesity from over-eating.
Healthier skin and coat, which resists infections.
More nutrition means better growth and development.

How Much BARF Food Should a Dog Eat?

The general guideline is one pound (500g) of BARF raw dog food, per fifty pounds of dog. If it seems like your dog needs more food after you’ve followed that guideline, you can increase the portions gradually.

Puppies, and dogs who are pregnant or nursing, have very different dietary needs to other dogs. We offer a BARF puppy range, but you should consult your vet before feeding a pregnant or nursing dog a BARF diet.

What Ingredients Go Into a BARF Raw Dog Food Diet?

In order to make sure your dog is getting all the proper nutrients, the BARF diet includes a lot of different ingredients. The leading literature on this topic says that between 60-80% of a dog’s diet should be raw meaty bones, and 20-40% should be a mixture of vegetables, meat and offal, and eggs.

Dairy is sometimes okay, but some dogs are allergic to it. Grains were recently revised out of this diet as being worthless for a dog’s nutrition and a large source of dog food allergies.

These fresh vegetables can be fed to dogs regularly as part of a BARF raw dog food diet: Alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, beets, bok choy, celery, carrots, dandelions, green beans, green squash, kale, parsnip, parsley, pumpkin, red peppers, romaine lettuce, turnips, yams, yellow peppers, yellow squash, and courgette.

These vegetables can be fed occasionally, and carefully: Avocado fruit, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, aubergine, green peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, tomatoes.

Foods to Never Feed Your Dog

The following items are poisonous to dogs, or at the very least will cause some kind of trouble.

Chocolate
Coffee or anything containing caffeine
Fruit pits and seeds
Leaves and stems from tomatoes and potatoes
Macadamia nuts
Onion
Salt
Yeast

How to Switch To the BARF Raw Dog Food Diet

Most dogs will be fine if you simply switch their diet all at once. If you know from past experience that this will work, feel free to try it.

Some dogs, however, will get a belly ache, and might have digestive trouble, if their diet is changed too fast. If you have any doubts, do the switch gradually.

And that’s it! Your dog or cat will soon be healthier and happy!