Have you discovered BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) and are you ready to make the switch so that your dog can benefit from a natural diet that truly matches its species? How does the transition to BARF work, what equipment is required, and what kind of organization should you put in place to get started properly with this raw feeding approach? As you will see in this article, the possibilities are numerous and should be adapted according to your dog’s size and metabolism. Let’s take a look at the key points you need to know to successfully transition to BARF.
What Equipment do You Need for BARF?
For a medium- or large-sized dog (over 22 lb [10 kg]), it is strongly recommended to invest in a freezer, which will allow you to prepare and store portions in advance for better organization. The size of the freezer, small or large, will depend on your dog’s size and the amount of meat you plan to store. Keep in mind that the more you buy in bulk, the more likely you are to obtain better pricing.
When it comes to cutting equipment, everything depends on the condition of the meat you will be working with. For frozen products, such as those offered on BARF distributor websites, you will need to invest in a saw, although working with frozen meat is not always easy. To comply with the cold chain (one of the basic food safety standards), it is necessary to cut the meat quickly while it is still slightly frozen, avoiding complete thawing before refreezing in order to ensure better meat preservation. For this reason, in terms of organization and hygiene, it is recommended to work with fresh meat. In that case, you will only need well-sharpened knives and a butcher’s cleaver to cut through bones.
For cutting, it is recommended to use polyethylene cutting boards, which are easier to clean and less porous than wooden boards, making them more hygienic for this type of product. Finally, to prepare balanced bowls, you will also need a scale to weigh the meat, organ meats, and meaty bones.
How Does the Transition to BARF Work?
The BARF diet aims to replicate the natural diet of our companion animals. Unlike processed pet foods such as kibble, there is no need for a gradual “gentle” transition when switching your dog to BARF. Your dog can start overnight. However, it is recommended to gradually introduce certain food categories that make up the bowl over the course of one month. As a general rule, finish the last serving of kibble in the evening (the animal’s digestive system works and digests throughout the night), and offer the first raw meal the very next day.
A model widely adopted among BARF feeders is to begin the first 15 days with poultry only (for example, 100% turkey or chicken meat), considered the most easily digestible meat, along with a carrot mix if it is a dog (the vegetable mix is not mandatory but helps support intestinal transit), as well as fish oils, such as salmon oil for omega-3 intake, combined with vegetable oils richer in omega-6 (sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, etc.).
During the first 2 weeks, your pet’s microbiota, or intestinal flora, will begin to change and adapt, becoming more active in destroying bacteria naturally present in raw meat. As a result, your pet may have slightly loose stools, or may vomit or regurgitate at the beginning. This is not a cause for concern as long as your loyal companion is not lethargic, is playing, eating, and remains in good health.
To support the transition, you may accompany this change with a probiotic course such as brewer’s yeast, FortiFlora, or green clay, for example.
How Should You Organize Yourself for BARF?
What is the best organization to put in place when switching to BARF? In fact, it depends on your schedule and your preferences. There is no standard organizational method for preparing BARF meals. However, using a freezer is central to BARF organization, as it allows you to prepare meals well in advance.
Portions can be prepared daily, once a week, or every 15 days, depending on your preferences. For example, you can dedicate specific time in your schedule (on the weekend, for instance) to prepare everything in bulk, so you only need to take out your equipment once, without feeling like you are spending your life preparing food for your dog or your cat day after day!
For example, for the first two weeks, once the meat portions have been prepared, place them in a Tupperware container or a freezer bag, repeating the process 13 times to have the first 2 weeks ready in advance.
What Are the BARF Proportions?
Regarding proportions, the basic rule is simple: the total daily BARF meal portion is 3% of body weight for an adult animal (an indicative value to be adjusted according to each metabolism), and 6% for a puppy. For example, for a 55 lb [25 kg] dog, the daily portion would be approximately 1.65 lb [750 g] per day.
You can use the following calculator to determine the quantities your pet needs to start BARF.
Muscle Meat
During the first 2 weeks, the BARF meal may consist of 100% muscle meat, meaning 1.65 lb [750 g] of poultry only (for a 55 lb [25 kg] dog), along with the vegetable mix and oils. Meat, the main component of the BARF diet for dogs, provides proteins and fats. The size of the meat pieces should be adapted to your pet’s size. You will quickly notice that some dogs are comfortable with large chunks, while others are not—the goal is for them to tear the meat apart themselves as well.
Meaty Bones
After 15 days, meaty bones can be introduced. They are rich in minerals, which are beneficial for maintaining healthy canine dentition, and they also help provide firmer stool texture. It is very important to choose meaty bones that are appropriate for the animal’s size. For large dogs (over 88 lb [40 kg]), a turkey neck is perfectly suitable; a chicken wing is more appropriate for medium-sized dogs (22 lb [10 kg] and over), and for toy breeds, cats, or ferrets, quail legs work very well.
Just like meat, during the one-week introduction phase, poultry (such as turkey, chicken, or quail) should be prioritized, in the following proportions:
- 60% muscle meat;
- 40% meaty bones.
You may choose to introduce meaty bones gradually or directly into your dog’s food portions. For example, for a 55 lb [25 kg] dog (total daily portion of 1.65 lb [750 g]), the breakdown becomes 0.99 lb [450 g] of muscle meat and 0.66 lb [300 g] of meaty bones.
Organ Meats
Finally, one week later (the 4th week), organ meats can be added. They provide vitamins, trace elements, and essential amino acids, including taurine. They represent 10% of the total ration, so the proportions become:
- 50% muscle meat;
- 40% meaty bones;
- 10% organ meats.
Among the different types of organ meats, there are muscle organs (heart, gizzard, tongue, lips, etc.) and secreting organs (liver, intestines, kidney, etc.). Within the 10% of organ meats, you should always aim for 5% muscle organs and 5% secreting organs. For example, for a 55 lb [25 kg] dog, you would need to include approximately 2.8 oz [75–80 g] of organ meats in total, divided into about 1.4 oz [40 g] of muscle organs and 1.4 oz [40 g] of secreting organs.
Essential Fatty Acids
EFAs are mainly found in fish. If your dog tolerates it, you can feed raw fish directly, replacing muscle meat, once or twice per week at most (to avoid excessive intake of thiaminase). Otherwise, you will need to supplement the diet with animal oil rich in omega-3 (such as salmon oil), about 5 times per week, as well as plant oil rich in omega-6 twice per week to maintain a proper balance of essential fatty acids. For animals that do not like fish, seaweed such as Ascophyllum nodosum (rockweed) or phytoplankton is an excellent source of iodine to add to the BARF diet.
Regarding quantities, you should allow one teaspoon per 22 lb [10 kg] of body weight. Therefore, for a small dog, cat, or ferret, a single teaspoon is sufficient. For a 55–66 lb [25–30 kg] dog, 3 teaspoons will be required…
Vegetable Mix
The vegetable mix is most often recommended because it is rich in fiber, vitamins, and supports digestion. The dog is a canid, therefore primarily carnivorous, but with omnivorous tendencies. As an opportunistic eater, it can adapt to a small amount of fruits, berries, and vegetables. The raw vegetable portion should be pureed or blended before being added to the BARF ration, using approximately one tablespoon per 22 lb [10 kg] of body weight.
On a Daily Basis
Once the BARF diet is well digested by your pet, you can begin a gradual diversification of meats. It is recommended to introduce them little by little in order to easily identify whether your pet has an intolerance to a particular type of meat. In most cases, once the poultry introduction phase is completed, quicker diversification does not cause any issues. This is not mandatory, but rather a precautionary approach. Finally, keep in mind that variety is the key to a balanced diet.
The Keys to a Successful Transition to BARF for Your Dog
Now you know everything about switching to BARF. As you have seen, BARF is a relatively easy practice to implement, as long as you acquire the basic knowledge, feel comfortable handling meat products, and above all are ready to stay well organized. There is no single correct way to proceed, whether in terms of the speed of transition, the proportions in the bowl, or the weekly organization. Since BARF is still a relatively recent practice, it is important to remain open and curious about the different approaches around you, so you can refine it based on your own experience and the results you observe in your loyal companion.
