What is BARF

What is BARF?

The meaning of the word BARF = Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food. Translated into French, this gives: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

Basically, it means that as an owner of dogs, cats, ferrets, birds of prey, etc., who are all Carnivores (well yes), you feed your pet an imitation of its prey, adapted to its physiology. In fact, what your dog (or other carnivore) would eat in nature if there were no humans on earth, but only animals. So we adapt its meal to its nutritional needs and its digestive system. A dog is not an omnivore, a kibble-eater, and even less a vegetarian. Your dog is an Opportunistic Carnivore. The dog has no access to fire, therefore: Everything must be given RAW!

Opportunistic, unlike the cat, because your dog (well, as the word says) is opportunistic in everything, including feeding, which means it will catch its prey and eat it completely: muscle meat, meaty bones, organs, intestines (e.g. tripe) and what is in its prey’s stomach (e.g. vegetables, fruit, etc.). So the dog eats its prey and what its prey has eaten.

What we sell is an imitation of prey, inspired by the ancestral diet of carnivores. This BARF diet aims to get as close as possible to what carnivores eat in nature, prioritizing fresh ingredients that are biologically adapted to their digestive system. Because yes, we recognize a dog/carnivore by its teeth made up of cutting incisors, sharp canines and grinding molars. A dog’s digestive tract is short and adapted to the rapid digestion of animal proteins and fats. Its stomach is very large, representing about 55% of the total volume of the digestive tract; it has high acidity (pH) and breaks down meat, bones, and bacteria very efficiently.

RAW FEEDING differs from BARF, and is based on the prey model (PREY MODEL), and considers that the dog is not an Opportunistic Carnivore, but a Strict Carnivore (like cats). This diet recommends 45% meat, 45% meaty bones and 10% organs.

BARF consists of Muscle Meat, Meaty Bones, Organs and Fruit/Vegetables/Supplements

  • Raw muscle meat (main source of protein)

  • Raw meaty bones (calcium and minerals)

  • Organs (liver, gizzard, heart — rich in vitamins)

  • Vegetables and fruit in purée form (fiber, antioxidants)

  • Fish oils (omega 3 and essential fatty acids)

  • Specific supplements e.g. egg, yogurt, yeast, algae, etc.

BARF has Many Advantages

  • Better appetite

  • Better digestion

  • Healthy skin and a shiny coat

  • Breath that smells good

  • Elimination of allergies

  • (Much) less stool

  • Your pet drinks (much) less

  • Less tartar on the teeth

  • Stronger immune system

The ideal way to start BARF is with poultry, e.g. chicken, for a few days, then introduce the other meats one by one. It’s not a competition—take your time to introduce them properly and gradually, not all at once. Same for fish (essential in the BARF diet) and tripe. A dog can start BARF from weaning (4 weeks), without any downside. An adult dog can also start BARF at any age. Makes sense, because its body and morphology are made for it, and its instinct will recognize it.

The daily amount of BARF to give: 2% of body weight per day for an adult dog, and 4 to 8% for a puppy!

The only disadvantage of BARF is the need for a freezer, to store and keep all these great meals for your four-legged friend. That’s why DogsFresh exists: to supply you with the best meats, meaty bones, organs, prey, fish, complete menus. And all of it delivered to your home.