First steps to BARF for Dogs

We would like to share a few helpful tips with all those who are interested in partially or even switching to barefoot BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet). No matter what type of feed you choose for your dog, it is always important to find the right balance between all ingredients to protect the organism from acidity or nutrient deficiency (or overdose). Always consider your dog as an individual. Each dog is different, and the needs will depend on age, activity, performance and general health, so feeding should always be adapted to their current needs.
It is most likely, the dog has been freshly vaccinated, dewormed and possibly treated with antibiotics, that means his organism/body is toned down and needs gentle support as well as patience and attention from the new owner.

BARF – Amount to feed per day per adult dog

The food fed per day should equate to 3% of the body weight of the dog. An overweight dog, a senior, and a dog that gets very little exercise due to physical restriction / disability should receive 2 to 2.5% of their body weight in food. A dog with malnutrition may eat 4% of its body weight per day. It does not matter if the meals are divided into one, two, three or more portions. We recommend two servings a day in healthy, adult dogs. Dogs with digestive problems as well as breeding animals and puppies are covered in another chapter.

Daily suggested feeding amount
3% daily amount for a 20kg dog	20kg = 20.000g x 3/100 = 600g total food
The animal content of the total amount of feed should be about 70-80% meat and meaty bones, fats and offal.	600g x 70% = 420g total meat content
15% of the total food content should be meaty bones (ribs, sternum, necks, wings):	600g x 15% = 90g bones

Naturavetal-Tip

Calcium is essential for the development of dogs. If your dog does not tolerate bones, you can ensure the calcium content by adding some natural supplements such as eggshell powder or Calcified seaweed.

Continuation of the calculation
We subtract this bone content from the total meat content:	420g – 90g= 330g
Innards (liver, kidney) should be 10% of the remaining total meat content:	330 x 10% = 33g
Rumen, leafy stomach can account for 25% of the remaining total meat ration:	330 x 25% = 83g
The remainder of the total amount of meat consists of 55% muscle meat (breast, head, skirt steak):	330 x 55% = 182g

Information about BARF

The most important thing about barefooting is that you feed a varied and balanced diet over a longer period of time in order to cover the nutrient supply from all sides. Therefore, you are welcome to vary and combine the ingredients and recipes, so that the dog gets everything for a period of 1-2 weeks. You can even skip weighing after some experience and routine, because you will develop a feeling for the appropriate amounts. The result is a rumen day, sometimes a meat bone day, sometimes a fish day and then more fruit and vegetables, and the balance is the nuts and bolts. Your dog is able to adequately store the nutrients and is used in a variety of good healthy foods. If you need more help with orientation at the beginning, there are some detailed recipes below.

Fats should basically be part of or added to the meat and in this example receive a share of 10%. Often the fed meat already has a certain amount of fat, which would then have to be deducted at this point. Animal fat should be between 15-25% for BARF feeding of dogs. (For more information on the topic of fat in dog nutrition, click here.) If you are unable to feed the dog animal fat, you can alternate the feeding with vegetable oils.

Continuation of the calculation
Fats should be included in the meat. The fat content should be 10%:	330 x 10% = 33g
The vegetable and fruit content of the total daily ration is in our example the remainder of the daily feed with 30%.	600 g x 30% = 180g
This is subdivided into 70% vegetables, divided into 50% colorful vegetables (such as carrot, pumpkin, beetroot, fennel, etc.) and 50% lettuce (such as lettuce, spinach, chard, corn salad, etc.). Vegetables:	180 g x 70% = 126g (half green and the other half mixed vegetables)
30% fruit (such as strawberries, pear, apple, banana, orange, etc.)	180 g x 30% = 54 g

Naturavetal-Tip

If you would like to give your dog a high-quality, balanced vegetable / fruit garnish, have a look at our premixed, air-dried flake blends. With valuable millet, it meets the need for fibre and is completely grain-free.

Depending on the needs of the dog, their phase of life or simply seasonal, you can round off your dog’s BARF menu with valuable supplementary feeds. A high-quality herbal mixture, various cold-pressed oils or various algae extracts bring diversity to the menu and support the normal functions of the organs. We regularly recommend food ideas that you can transform and optimize to suit the needs of your pet.

If you need help to assess the individual needs of your dog, please call us – we are happy to help: 0208 – 531 7804

Summary feed per day
3% x 20kg body weight of the dog with	= 600g total amount of food per day
Animal share (70%) = 420g \| Of which:	= 420g animal share
15% meaty bones = 90g
10% offal = 33g
25% rumen, stomach = 83g
55% muscle meat = 182g
10% fat = 33g (part of the total meat content)
Vegetable content (30%) = 180g \| Of which:	= 180g vegetable share
70% green and colourful vegetables = 126g
30% fruit = 54g

BARF Recipe ideas | calculated according to weekly feed amount

Information for Naturavetal’s BARF feeding recipes

For allergy sufferers or sensitive dogs, we generally recommend that you vary the recipes and control the animal meat to one species per day/week. For healthy dogs, however, it is quite possible to vary different types of meat during the week or even in a meal. The recipes serve as a guide or stimulation for new ideas and to provide a variety in the bowl!

These sample recipes help you get started with BARF, the recipes are just a first orientation. Later, it will be much easier and less expensive to determine how much the dog actually needs, e.g. offal needed may be only 1-2 times a week. In principle, you only have to calculate the above values for x 7.

Summary of feed per week
Calculate 20kg body weight of the dog with 3%	= 4,200g total food amount per week
Animal share ( 70%) = 2.940g \| Of which:	= 2.940g animal share
15% meaty bones = 630g
10% offal = 231g
25% rumen, leaves stomach = 578g
55% muscle meat = 1.270,5g
10% fat = 231g
Vegetable content (30%) = 1.260g \| Off which:	= 1.260g vegetable share
70% green and colourful vegetables = 882g
30% fuit = 378g

BARF Recipe ideas | calculated according to daily feed amount

Feeding information – daily plan

Even if the total amount of food varies during the day, the dog in this example will receive a well-balanced diet over 3 days. Balancing it over a longer period of time is what makes BARF feeding so important. You can therefore take the liberty of simply dividing up the food throughout the week and adjusting the amounts according to your daily routine, season or other individual needs and your mood. You know your dog best – the suggestions are for guidance only. Should you have any questions, we are happy to help: 0203 475 5226