Those who favour raw feeding/BARF are returning to the dog's origins, the wild wolf. Its natural needs include raw meat, however the wolf will also eat roots and fruits in the forest. Its diet also includes the stomach contents of its prey and therefore herbs and vegetables. Therefore, neither the wolf nor the dog is a pure carnivore.
If you feed your dog raw meat, offal, bones and fat, vegetables, fruit and herbs, you are providing your dog with a diet that nature intended.
As the optimum amount of food, we recommend feeding a healthy, adult dog approx. 3-5% of its body weight per day in wet food or BARF. The animal portion of the total amount of food should be 70-80%, with the remaining 20-30% consisting of plant-based supplements.
You can also combine BARF feeding with our dry and wet food to make feeding more varied. If you would like to find out more about partial BARF, take a look at our Guide article on the subject.
If you have been feeding your dog conventionally produced dry Food (extruded food) and want to try BARF, you should not switch immediately to partial BARF with raw meat. An abrupt change could overstress the gastrointestinal tract. It is better to start with our cooked Complete Tinned Meals or pure meat variations with supplementary side dishes, as these are easier to digest and allow for a gentler transition.
Vegetables, fruit and herbs for a wholesome BARF meal
When feeding BARF, you should round off the meals with vegetables, fruit, herbs and high-quality oils so that the dog is provided with all the nutrients it needs. Our air-dried flakes are an ideal substitute for home-cooked fruit and vegetables.
Canis Extra Vit/Min Variety Flakes
Our high-fibre Vit/Min variety flakes
This flake mix is impressive, with its simple yet particularly filling recipe. The ingredients have been selected so that even allergic dogs can tolerate them well. It contains millet which is carefully broken down and granulated so that it can be optimally digested and at the same time satisfies and satiates the dog.
Canis Extra Top-Fit-Mix Flakes
Our grain-free Top-Fit-Mix flakes
Our rich Top-Fit-Mix is a 100% grain-free consisting of a reduce starch flake mix that is particularly suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs and allergies. The berries within give your dog a naturally healthy vigour and the figs, apricots and basil are also excellent sources of vitamins.
We also recommend intermitttently supplementing with our herbal or berry mixtures, as these support the metabolism and enrich the diet with a variety of valuable, natural nutrients.
Canis Extra Berry Power
Colourful berries with Canis Extra Berry Power
Soft fruits such as berries provide vitamins for the immune system, they can support the body in its defence against free radicals and contrubute to protection the cells. The colourful berries are gently dried so that all the nutrients they contain are preserved as much as possible. Like herbs, berries are a real powerhouse for dogs and provide the body with valuable vitamins, minerals and secondary plant substances.
Canis Extra Tausendgrün Organic Herbs for BARF
A varied diet with Canis Extra Tausendgrün Organic Herbs for BARF
Nature has been providing vitamins and minerals for animals for centuries. The exquisite blend of gently air-dried organic herbs provides vitamins and minerals in exactly that form. The vital substances contained enrich the diet and balances the meat feed, providing versatility and variety in a bowl.
Other valuable supplements for a versatile BARF plan
A sufficient supply of vitamins and minerals is extremely important when feeding BARF, which is why we have developed a variety of all-natural Canis Plus® complementary supplements for dogs, which you can combine with BARF for a balanced diet.
Natural sources of calcium as a bone substitute – calcified seaweed and organic eggshell powder
Calcified seaweed serves as a source of calcium for bone-free or bone-reduced diets and is added to our Canis Plus® Meat Pots, meat rolls or BARF. Dogs need a source of calcium to balance the phosphorus content in meat. A natural source of calcium is recommended as a regular supplement to boneless meat meals.
Organic eggshell powder also serves as a natural source of calcium and can be added to our Canis Plus® Meat Pots, meat rolls or BARF. Not all dogs tolerate bones or cannot eat them for other reasons. In these cases, our organic eggshell powder should be added daily to the usual food ration.
Canis Extra Brewer's Yeast
Brewers yeast can be used to compensate for a vitamin B deficiency. It promotes strong nerves, healthy skin, a shiny coat and supports pregnancy. Brewer's yeast contains a large number of B vitamins, which are essential for the nervous system, haematopoiesis, mucous membranes, skin and coat. A B vitamin deficiency can manifest itself in itchy skin or feaces eating.
Supplements such as seaweed meal, cod liver oil or 3-6-9 Fish and Hemp BARF oil serve as an additional, natural source of vitamins A and D or iodine if required.
Calcified seaweed and our organic eggshell powder do not have to be supplemented at the same time - you can choose the natural calcium source that your dog tolerates best or simply alternate feeding the two natural calcium sources.
Canis Extra Seaweed Meal
Iodine as an alternative to fish
Canis Extra Seaweed Meal primarily provides iodine as an alternative to fish for BARF fed dogs, as well as a variety of nutrients for basic care when feeding BARF.
Canis Extra Cod Liver Oil
Source of vitamin A, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids
Canis Extra Cod Liver Oil is of medicinal quality and is an excellent source of vitamin A, D and omega-3 fatty acids. It is important for growth and development, a healthy immune system, a stable cardiovascular system and also for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Canis Extra 3-6-9 Fish and Hemp Barf Oil
Exquisite blend of fish oils
The exquisite blend of fish oils from mackerel, sardines, anchovies, cod, herring, capelin and tuna, rounded off with valuable hemp oil, provides all the fatty acids your dog needs for a balanced diet in a practical oil blend. Our 3-6-9 Fish and Hemp BARF oil is therefore the ideal supplement for every dog, whether young or old.
Canis Plus Meat Rolls
Pure meat variations
If you need something quicker, our pure meat variations are also a practical alternative to raw meat. They do not need to be defrosted which saves time and makes them the ideal raw meat alternative when on holiday.
Some dogs do not tolerate raw meat very well and can develop noisy stomachs, smacking of the lips or hyperacidity after feeding or constantly eat grass. Older dogs are often affected. Our pure meat variations provide a well-tolerated alternative, as they are easier for the dog to digest and you as the dog owner can still stay close to the concept of BARF. In addition, we advise that you should add the supplement Canis Extra Mineralmoor for 4-6 weeks to soothe the irritated mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Canis Extra Full-cream Goat’s Milk Powder
Easily digestible whole goat's milk powder
Easily digestible whole goat's milk powder supports puppy rearing and convalescence. Whole goat's milk contains high levels of amino acids, minerals and trace elements and strengthens the whole organism thanks to its wide range of vitamins. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids (in contrast to cow's milk), making it easier to digest and better tolerated, it is also effective against skin conditions and activates cell renewal. The naturally high vitamin A and D plays an outstanding part in the development of young animals. It supplies with important nutrients to weak animals without putting a strain on their cardiovascular system or fat metabolism, giving them more zest for life and much more vitality.
Nutrients from the sea and water - algae, mussels etc
Nature favours diversity utilising the pure quality of its natureal ingredients. That is why we favour of a varied diet that relies on natural food supplements that avoids artificial additives. Algae is a high-quality addition to a dog's daily food ration. They provide valuable nutrients, can promote detoxification processes in the body or can also be used specifically to support a healthy musculoskeletal system.
The benefits of chlorella and spirulina
Chlorella and spirulina can support your dog's health in many ways. They provide your dog with essential amino acids, as well as various other nutrients such as fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. They contain a lot of chlorophyll, which can support the body with internal cleansing, purification and detoxification. They also ensure a balanced acid-base balance, which in turn can counteract unpleasant body odours and bad breath.
The benefits of seaweed meal and green-lipped mussel
Seaweed meal is a natural source of iodine, which is why it is often regularly integrated into the diet when feeding BARF. Seaweed meal also contains valuable amino acids and vitamins as well as important minerals. It is therefore often fed alternately with our Berry Power to promote the coat colour or pigmentation of the dog or in combination with Canis Extra Spirulina or Chlorella to support healthy dental hygiene.
Green-lipped mussels are rich in glycosaminoglycans (GAGs for short), omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and amino acids, which nourish and aid the healing of connective tissue and joints and can have a regulating effect on numerous joint complaints. Joints and cartilage are supplied with important nutrients, which can promote their elasticity and thus promote healthy mobility.
Chlorella, spirulina and seaweed meal can counteract the formation of tartar if they are fed regularly in rotation. For a combined feeding recommendation, please contact our team of experts!
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone. We are here to help you with comprehensive advice. You can reach us Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone at 0208 - 531 7804 or mail info@naturavetal.co.uk.
