What is the BARF diet for dogs? Pros and cons of this diet
Have you ever heard of the barf diet? Probably if you have a dog or a cat, the answer will be yes. We are talking about a trend and a diet that in recent years has taken hold and has taken off, conquering many pet owners. But not only that, conquering even the dogs themselves, who in one way or another will have been able to make us understand. Can you understand your dog? Watch this video for a little help!
Deciding to use this type of food for your pet can represent an important and not always easy choice in terms of management, but certainly excellent for the health of the dog, as well as the cat. A "natural diet that is good for dogs and cats because it is as if it brought them back to their predatory nature. We do not forget, in fact, that if these animals were free in nature, they would spend all day hunting land animals and fish. some with more cunning, some less. But let's understand better what the barf diet is, not to be confused with a homemade DIY diet, and how it varies according to the age and weight of the dog.
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Dog barf diet: what is it and how does it work?
The barf diet, invented by the Australian Ian Billinghurst, is a diet that consists of feeding the dog only bones, raw meat and organs of the prey (which can be chicken, beef, veal, rabbit, lamb, deer, fish, etc.) . To accompany these three main elements, there will be vegetables in a reduced way and food supplements that support all the nutritional needs of our four-legged friend and give him the right nutrients. But it is not a diet designed only for dogs but also for cats: it works in very similar ways and has the same food base, but undergoes variations in terms of quantity of food and types of components to be integrated, which can be both natural and artificial. BARF is an acronym and derives from the "English" Biologically Appropriate Raw Food ", or" biologically appropriate raw food, indicating a "raw and natural diet. But originally it was the acronym for "Bones And Row Food", which more simply indicated the main foods of the diet, namely bones and raw meat.
Differences between barf diet and home dog diet
An important distinction must be made between the barf diet for dogs and the home diet. We are used to believing that the dog eats everything, so we can give him food directly from the table. But this is not exactly the case: the dog, as well as the cat, needs a correct and balanced diet, which does not always translate into cans of wet or dry food, but which does not mean even considering the dog as a bin in which to pour. any food, damaging its health. However, we can organize a home diet for our dog, or prepare suitable dishes for him, such as cooked meat or certain vegetables and fruit in a balanced way and not use the classic canned products. But this homemade diet is not to be confused with a barf diet, in which the food is completely raw and natural, precisely to prevent it from losing the main nutrients through cooking.
Dog barf diet: example of menu
As we have seen, the barf diet for dogs and cats consists of giving your pet raw meat, bones and offal such as lungs, heart, liver (the entrails have a fair amount of fatty acids), but also the skin of the prey. You will need to ask the vet before starting this natural diet, to understand how to give the right nutritional intake to the dog based on age, weight and any previous pathologies or problems of various kinds such as allergies.
Here is an example of barf diet foods for the dog:
- chicken and lamb, including bones, skin and beak in the case of chicken
- beef, with a percentage of 30%, including animal offal such as heart, kidney and liver
- pork, including offal
- raw fish
- raw eggs
- raw vegetables (broccoli, spinach, carrots, pumpkin)
- sugar-free yogurt
- cod or salmon oil
- fruits such as plums and bananas
To complete the meal, food supplements will then be integrated that can provide the dog with the right nutrients, vitamins and magnesium such as eggshell powder or seaweed oil.
As for the quantities of food, it will be necessary to give the dog about 2-3% of his body weight divided into two times a day, balancing the ingredients to give him everything he needs.
How to make the switch to the barf diet
To switch from cans of wet or croquettes to the barf diet, it is advisable to subject the dog to fasting for 12-16h so that his intestine is completely empty before starting it with raw meat. Instead, for the insertion of food, we will proceed gradually, especially for the adult dog who could digest certain foods with more difficulty, unlike the puppy. First with only one type of minced muscle meat to cover the entire meal for about two days, preferably beef. Then it will be possible to add another type of meat, such as horse muscle, chicken or fish. If everything is well tolerated by the animal, then it will be possible to add rumen and centopelle, and some pureed vegetables, but in quantity. reduced. Only when the dog is able to perfectly digest these combinations, will it be possible to insert the offal, which contains a fair amount of fatty acids, and the bones.
Advantages and disadvantages of the barf diet for the dog
As with any diet, barf for dogs also has its advantages and disadvantages. similarly, even if we know how good it is for the dog's health, we also know that not everyone can dedicate such demanding time every day to preparing food, or simply not everyone can afford it economically. Let's see together the pros and cons, which will allow us to understand if this raw meat-based diet can do for us.
Pros of the barf diet:
- it's natural
- improved dog health
- decrease in fat
- increased musculature
- shiny coat
- clean breath
- increased energy
Cons of the barf diet:
- commitment in preparing it compared to the classic cans
- higher costs
- possible nutrient deficiencies if you are unable to balance foods and supplements
- broken teeth or intestinal injuries if you don't know how to cut food properly
In short, if the barf diet convinces you, we recommend that you contact your veterinarian who will be able to give you advice based on the weight and age of your dog, to avoid causing problems and make an assessment of any pathologies or allergies.
