Advocates of the BARF diet claim that their dogs eat a more natural diet than that offered in commercial kibble, which they believe causes itchy skin, dental disease and other issues. Any change must be carefully planned with consultation with veterinarians or animal nutrition experts to ensure proper nutritional balance is achieved.
Diet: Raw meat, bones, vegetables and seeds/nuts should all be included. Seeds should be soaked and ground prior to feeding in order to reduce phytate levels that inhibit digestion.
Contents
Vegetables
Vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals and enzymes not present in meat products. Furthermore, vegetables help balance out carnivore diets by providing essential amino acids.
Raw vegetables contain polyphenols (which cannot be digested), which have incredible anti-ageing and immune boosting benefits for dogs. Their efficacy stems from bacteria living in your pet’s colon fermenting them into short chain fatty acids used as energy, building immune cells, and protecting mucous lining of their gut lining.
Be sure to include leafy greens such as spinach and kale in your pet’s diet, along with carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and more! Avoid starchy veggies such as beans and grains which contain high levels of glyphosate toxins; additionally garlic, onions and wild mushrooms are toxic when consumed in large amounts by dogs.
Liver
Liver is an abundant source of essential nutrition for dogs. It not only detoxifies but does not store toxins like muscle meat does, but it’s also rich in copper, zinc, chromium and selenium which play essential roles in supporting central nervous system health and the endocrine system function.
Liver contains high concentrations of Vitamin A. Too much can be toxic to your pup, so only feed small portions at any one time.
Raw liver can also contain high concentrations of phosphorous, making it particularly problematic if your dog suffers from low blood pressure or kidney disease as it accelerates their progress.
Organ Meats
Many humans dislike organ meats, while dogs delight in them as nutritious treats. Organs such as liver, heart, lungs and stomach (tripe) contain probiotics, vitamins (A, B complex and D), iron zinc copper omega 3 6 fatty acids as well as antioxidants – providing their furry bodies with essential nutrition!
Raw organ meats offer more nutrition than muscle meats, but may come with additional risks of contamination. Dehydrated organs offer similar health benefits without these risks, so gradually introduce organs to your dog’s diet in small amounts at first (try mixing partially frozen liver with other organs to encourage eating, then slowly introduce smaller chunks while monitoring his/her response) If sensitive pets become offended by raw smells, lightly searing edges may help ease anxiety.
Seeds & Nuts
BARF diets, also known as biologically appropriate raw food diets (BARF), offer dogs a selection of raw ingredients such as meat, bones, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts that should be properly prepared before being given to your pet to prevent gastric irritation and the risk of choking. Soaking or grinding seeds before feeding them to your dog helps remove phytic acid which interferes with nutrient absorption; grinding promotes optimal digestion in dogs.
BARF diets typically consist of 70% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, 5% other secreting organs, 2% seeds or nuts and 1% fruit. Seeds and nuts provide essential vitamins and fiber while being rich sources of fat – be mindful not to overfeed these sources!
Fruit
Fruit isn’t essential for dogs, but they provide essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as polyphenols which support gut bacteria and aid digestion.
BARF feeders may puree fruits and vegetables because their dogs lack salivary amylase to break down plant cell walls, preventing them from fully absorbing their nutritional benefits. Prey Model feeders strongly disagree with this practice as they believe predigested foods do not constitute natural foodstuffs.
Avocados contain persin, which is toxic for dogs and can lead to gastroesophageal distress and other health conditions. Also avoid starchy vegetables and fruits which feed the wrong types of gut bacteria that contribute to weight gain and chronic inflammation; opt for low sugar berries such as blueberries or broccoli and kale instead.
