BARF stands for either Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones And Raw Food. Raw food consists of raw meat and fruits and vegetables where appropriate. Either way, the message is the same: dogs and cats’ bodies simply are not designed to process grains, cooked and processed foods, additives, and fillers.
Why Do Pets Need BARF?
There are two main reasons to feed a BARF diet. One is to avoid all the ingredients in processed pet food that are not good for them. The other is to provide all the nutrition they really need.
“Other dogs eat kibble and they’re fine — right?”
There are a lot of ailments that affect our furry friends that are completely unnecessary for them to suffer with, all because of the food they are served. Some, but not all, include: dry, itchy skin; hot spots; allergies; ear infections; sore gums; bad breath; fleas and ticks; and hyperactivity.
Will switching diets fix all of this?
No. But we’d suggest researching it yourself and making your own decision. If you currently feed commercial kibble, try a gradual switch to the BARF diet over a few days, continue it exclusively for at least 30 days, and see for yourself: Are the teeth cleaner and whiter? Are the gums pink and less swollen? Is the breath cleaner? Has the coat become shinier and softer? Is the dog happier and more content? Does your vet see an improvement in overall health — especially if there are current medical conditions or allergies?
Does BARF actually meet nutritional needs?
There is certainly controversy over the BARF diet — there usually is whenever mainstream meets alternative ideas, so we’d encourage you to do your own research here. Our own research turned up the idea that the most common allergy in dogs is to wheat and grains; some argue a complete intolerance to grains in both cats and dogs (dogs with food allergies often have a dull coat, fur loss, or dry itchy skin).
The primary argument for raw meat is to look at feral dogs and cats, and their closest wild ancestors, for what they naturally eat. With cats, it’s widely accepted they are carnivores — you won’t find a wild cat eating corn, carrots, or avocados. With dogs there’s more disagreement even among raw-diet advocates: wolves eat primarily meat but will substitute berries, tree bark, and other fruits, and some argue it’s really access that drives how omnivorous a dog’s diet becomes.
Our favorite reasons for feeding BARF
Dogs fed kibble, whose nutritional needs aren’t being met, will often eat almost anything in search of those missing nutrients — including other dogs’ waste. We appreciate that our BARF-fed dogs don’t do that. We also appreciate breath that doesn’t stink, no fleas or ticks, minimal scratching, and naturally clean teeth without a toothbrush. Due to the lower protein and higher carb content of commercial dog foods, hyperactivity is a real concern too — we’ve appreciated more balanced blood sugar in our own active dogs since switching.
How do I switch my dog to raw food?
It’s simpler than it sounds. The general rule of thumb is that a dog will eat about 2–3% of their body mass in raw food per day — so a 50 lb dog eats roughly 1–1.5 lb of meat a day, or 0.5–1 lb per meal if fed twice daily. At the next mealtime, offer both raw meat and kibble side by side, with slightly more meat than the calculated amount. If your dog has always eaten kibble, they may be used to eating very fast and could almost inhale the meat at first — supervise until you’re confident they’ve settled into chewing properly.
Give about half an hour to eat, then pick up whatever’s left, kibble included. Keep track of how much meat was eaten and offer the remainder plus a top-up at the next meal. It’s genuinely difficult to overfeed a BARF-fed dog — we don’t rigidly regulate the amount at each meal. Just like in the wild, dogs may eat heartily for a few days and then only pick at food, or miss a meal here and there; as long as it averages out, it’s nothing to worry about. Once you’re comfortable with meat at each meal, you can start supplementing other foods based on your own view of carnivorous vs. omnivorous needs — we’ve offered yogurt, raw eggs, carrots, and apples, with chicken as our staple and beef and lamb in rotation.
How do I know they’re getting the right amount without measuring?
With commercial dog food, overfeeding leads straight to weight gain, because that food doesn’t fully satisfy nutritional needs — much like an “empty” fast-food meal in humans that leaves you hungry again soon after. A dog on raw food, by contrast, seems able to self-regulate: eating until content, not stuffed, and not going back for more out of unmet nutritional need. That’s also part of why BARF-fed dogs are less likely to go looking for food in inappropriate places.
The simplest check for proper weight is the rib test: you should be able to feel the ribs but not see them. If you can see them, offer more food; if you press gently on the side and can’t feel the ribs at all, the dog may be overweight. If you’ve just switched to BARF, give it time before limiting the diet — the switch itself is often adjustment enough.
Most importantly: consult your vet before drastically changing your animal’s diet, especially if there are current medical conditions or medications involved. There are plenty of vets who support a BARF diet if you’re looking for one who’ll support your decision to feed naturally.
We don’t claim to be experts on animal diets — all we can share is our own experience and the results we’ve seen in our own animals and the puppies we raised. Please do your own research and make the decision that’s right for you and your pet.
Related supplies: shop raw/BARF dog food on Amazon.ca (Amazon affiliate link — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).