Barf-feeding
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food
Vega, Schønemann Danish Star Gemini, eating a meaty bone
There is a lot of ways to feed BARF, a whole lot of brands and soooo many different opinions on how to do it right.
The most important thing is to feed versatile. A dog will be malnourished if you don’t follow a variated diet.
The reasons why I choose to feed raw and the benefits are endless, and I won’t be able to list them all, but amongst the best are:
-better digestion
-shinier and softer coat
-stronger skin
-better muscle buildup
-no bad breath
-reduced farts
-cleaner teeth
-less stools
When I got my first dog, Muttley, I was feeding him a highquality, grainfree kibble, that I was adviced from his breeder. As time went by, he started developing loose stools and I consulted my local pet-shop. He adviced me to try the BARF feeding method. I started using the brands Rigtig Hundemad and Kragborg (consult your local barf-expert on how to start up the process, don't just start on your own!). Muttleys stomach immediately changed for the better, he got firmer stools and slowly, I started noticing all the benefits. His bodymass changed and got very tight in his skin and with visible, better muscle-structure.
In addition to Muttleys improval I started researching the BARF world. I soon fell over the name Anett Weber. A danish veterinarian with massive knowledge in the raw-feeding area. I went to a couple of her lectures and I was amazed with the results other attendants and Anett herself showed. I have been rawfeeding ever since!
The overall main reason, nutrition-wise, that this way of feeding is such a succes is, that you dont fill your dog with unnecessary ingredients. That means their digestive system has benefits from everything that comes through it.
NOTE: Be aware that if the dog has some kind of digestive issue (such as allergies for example), the condition can get worse for a period of time, as their body will start to detox on BARF.
The most important thing is to feed versatile. A dog will be malnourished if you don’t follow a variated diet.
The reasons why I choose to feed raw and the benefits are endless, and I won’t be able to list them all, but amongst the best are:
-better digestion
-shinier and softer coat
-stronger skin
-better muscle buildup
-no bad breath
-reduced farts
-cleaner teeth
-less stools
When I got my first dog, Muttley, I was feeding him a highquality, grainfree kibble, that I was adviced from his breeder. As time went by, he started developing loose stools and I consulted my local pet-shop. He adviced me to try the BARF feeding method. I started using the brands Rigtig Hundemad and Kragborg (consult your local barf-expert on how to start up the process, don't just start on your own!). Muttleys stomach immediately changed for the better, he got firmer stools and slowly, I started noticing all the benefits. His bodymass changed and got very tight in his skin and with visible, better muscle-structure.
In addition to Muttleys improval I started researching the BARF world. I soon fell over the name Anett Weber. A danish veterinarian with massive knowledge in the raw-feeding area. I went to a couple of her lectures and I was amazed with the results other attendants and Anett herself showed. I have been rawfeeding ever since!
The overall main reason, nutrition-wise, that this way of feeding is such a succes is, that you dont fill your dog with unnecessary ingredients. That means their digestive system has benefits from everything that comes through it.
NOTE: Be aware that if the dog has some kind of digestive issue (such as allergies for example), the condition can get worse for a period of time, as their body will start to detox on BARF.
Facts:
- It's natural for carnivores to swallow their food very quickly.
- They have long periods of time where they don't eat.
- Their stomach can contain a lot of food, because they have "depot-stomach's"?
This is how a meal can look, for Luna and Vega.
As time has went by, and I have read and learned a lot about BARF, I have chosen to order my BARF from Das Tierhotel in Germany. I can not recommend to start feeding BARF, by bying from websites like this, as there can be a lot of questions in the start-up period. But as you get comfortable feeding this way, and don't need the same kind of advicing, it is much cheaper in the long run.
There can be differences in how the raw food should be composed. I have tried some different methods and have come to the conclusion that this is how my dogs thrive the best:
There can be differences in how the raw food should be composed. I have tried some different methods and have come to the conclusion that this is how my dogs thrive the best:
- 20% bones and cartilage
- 15% giblets
- 15% fat
- 50% pure meat
I have chosen to use supplements from Innordic, because I have seen some of the amazing results they can cause.
I give them the following:
I give them the following:
- Fenris
- Nutreet
- Compeet to win
- Strong Joint Junior
- Luposan Biotin
- Trixie Cod Liver Oil with Thistle
Facts:
- The jaws of a dog can only move up and down (in contrast to humans, who can move their jaws from side to side, as well.
- The saliva in BARF-fed dogs is more mucilaginous because they do't get as many carbs, wich means that they break down tartar better.
- There is only 15-20% protein in meat, the rest is water. Thats why BARF-dogs don't drink as much as dogs fed kibble.
If not BARF then what?
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For some reason, it is not possible for everybody to feed their dog BARF. It is possible to find some alternatives that is almost as good, but everyone should learn what to look for in the ingredient-list on the bag.
Keep away from kibble that contains big amounts of:
Look for kibble containing a lot of
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Muttley, A Wu-Bees Big Boxer Jimboo choosing a snack
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Here is 2 examples of kibble-ingredients:
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This is Purizon, the Chicken and Fish variety.
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This is a wellknown, bulldog-breed-specific kibble, a lot of veterinarians recommends.
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