The Most Common BARF Feeding Mistakes
Reading time: approx. 8 min. | by Lisa Klein
The most common feeding mistakes with BARF …
Feeding your four-legged friend a BARF diet—or providing them with homemade BARF meals—should no longer be rocket science, thanks to our numerous BARF blog articles and our free BARF brochures. If you keep a few key points in mind, you can easily provide your four-legged friend with a species-appropriate diet. It’s especially helpful to look at the diet of the wolf, from which our dogs are descended. To help you avoid mistakes and problems with BARF feeding, today we’re presenting the most common BARF mistakes and how to fix them without much trouble:
Ignore the prey-based diet model
The animal component of a BARF diet is typically 70%–80% and is divided into 50% muscle meat, 20% tripe, 15% organs, and 15% raw meaty bones. The plant-based portion is 20%–30% and includes vegetables and, if desired, fruit. What may sound like a complex science is actually easy to remember: The wolf eats the entire prey animal, including the stomach contents—and thus also herbs (vegetables), bones, organs, and muscle meat. If the ratio is balanced and the necessary minerals are added, a species-appropriate diet is ensured.
Unbalanced Diet
Many dog owners swear by always feeding their beloved pet the same (usually well-tolerated) type of meat. However, variety is also important in a dog’s diet. In principle, you can switch healthy dogs to a different type of meat every 3–4 days. It’s important to remember that, unlike us humans, dogs don’t need variety in their diet every day. Rotating 1–3 different types of meat, including all necessary supplements, from week to week is nutritionally optimal for dogs to ensure a varied diet.
Grain-Based Diet
Feeding a diet high in grains can easily lead to a calcium deficiency, even if calcium is supplemented. The phytic acid contained in grains inhibits calcium absorption and thus leads to deficiencies. Therefore, the proportion of grains—ideally pseudograins (millet, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat)—should not exceed 5–10% of the daily food ration.
Omit vegetables
Even if vegetables aren’t your beloved pet’s favorite food—please don’t just leave them out! A dog needs vegetables because they provide valuable fiber, which is essential for healthy gut flora. For picky dogs that pick out the vegetables, you can cook them and mix them into their food in pureed form. This prevents the dog from picking out the vegetables and thus missing out on important nutrients.
Cooking & Feeding Bones
Never feed cooked bones! This can be life-threatening for an animal. Cooked bones splinter and pose a choking hazard. Bones must always be added raw to the meal. You should also avoid feeding bones that are too hard (marrow bones). Harder bones can be used as a small chew treat for in between meals.
Finally, it’s important to emphasize that the BARF diet is a great way to provide your dog with species-appropriate care and a healthy diet. By avoiding the most common feeding mistakes and adhering to the principles of the prey-based diet and variety in the meal plan, you can ensure that your four-legged companion receives all the nutrients they need. With a little knowledge and attention, dog owners can provide a customized diet that supports not only their dog’s physical health but also its well-being and vitality. If you have any further questions about the BARF diet, our BARF blog articles and free brochures are available to help you.
Are you a big BARF fan, but have a cat instead of a dog? Then feel free to read our BARF article on the topic of BARF for cats!
