What is the BARF diet for dogs? BARF, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, is a way of feeding dogs that imitates how canids eat in the wild: raw meat, bones and organs, with vegetables and a few supplements added when needed.
For many families this is a big change, and at the beginning it can feel overwhelming. The goal of this guide is to explain the basic ideas clearly, without losing sight of the most important point: the diet must be done correctly and adapted to the individual dog.
Why this type of diet?
- Commercial pet food processing destroys many nutrients, especially enzymes, amino acids and vitamins.
- Dry commercial food contains only around 20% water, which can place extra work on the kidneys.
- After decades of feeding pets commercial diets, we have seen diseases that were previously much less common, many of them related to diet.
- Despite thousands of years of domestication, the dog's digestive system remains that of a carnivore.
The BARF diet is highly digestible and can be safe when it is prepared correctly.
Why raw food?
Because it is the closest option to the natural diet of canids. Cooking meat means losing some nutrients. Raw food contains meat, bones and organs that can provide the nutrients a dog needs when the diet is properly formulated.
Another reason many families choose raw feeding is ethical: some companies that produce commercial foods test on live animals. Choosing fresh food can be part of a broader decision about animal welfare and health.
What benefits can the BARF diet have?
Dogs that follow this type of diet may show:
- Shinier, softer coat because raw meat and organs provide fatty acids in a natural state.
- Healthier skin.
- Better muscle mass and tone.
- A stronger immune system.
- Healthier gums and teeth, less tartar and less bad breath.
- More energy and activity when excess carbohydrates are reduced and protein quality improves.
- Improved digestion, with smaller and less smelly stools.
- Better joint flexibility thanks to natural fatty acids that nourish joints and reduce inflammation.
The most important benefit is the general improvement in health that many dogs obtain with a well-made BARF diet: fewer allergies, fewer inflammatory digestive problems, better weight control and, in many cases, stronger and healthier animals.
How and when to start the BARF diet
A dog can start eating this type of food at almost any moment, but the transition must be planned. For adult dogs that have been eating kibble, I recommend a gradual change: first from kibble to cooked homemade food, and then from cooked homemade food to raw food.
This transition allows the stomach pH to become more acidic gradually and helps avoid digestive problems, intolerance and vomiting. The transition usually lasts around three to four weeks.
BARF diet for puppies
Puppies can move directly to a BARF diet, although during the first three months some ingredients are restricted. Puppies need more frequent meals and a diet formulated for growth, not a simplified adult diet.
Cat puppies can also start during growth, with the same idea as adults but eating more often to cover their energy needs.
How much BARF food should a dog eat?
The daily ration depends on age, reproductive status, activity level, weight, body condition and health. The exact amount is obtained by weighing the dog once a month and adjusting depending on whether the dog loses, gains or maintains weight.
As a general reference, many adult dogs with a normal weight eat around 2% of their body weight per day. Dogs under 10 kg, puppies, pregnant or lactating females, working dogs, sport dogs and underweight dogs may need up to 4%.
| Dog profile | Approximate daily ration | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult dog, normal weight | About 2% of body weight | Adjust monthly according to weight and body condition. |
| Puppy, active dog or underweight dog | Up to 4% of body weight | Growth and activity increase nutritional needs. |
| Senior or overweight dog | Often close to 2% or less | Must be adapted carefully to avoid deficiencies. |
What ingredients does the BARF diet contain?
The BARF diet mixes muscle meat, organs, bones and vegetables in each meal. Dogs can also eat eggs and, occasionally, fish and fruit. Each ingredient has a specific role and must be used in the right proportion and prepared in the right way.
Muscle meat
You can use any type of meat as long as the dog tolerates it well. In general, the fat naturally present in the meat is not removed. Variety is important: use different meats and alternate white and red meat with balance. If possible, choose meat from grass-fed animals. Some meats may cause allergies or intolerances in individual dogs.
Eggs
Eggs are a highly nutritious food. They can be included in raw diets when tolerated and when the overall diet remains balanced.
Fish
Fish can provide useful fatty acids and nutrients. It should be chosen carefully, frozen when appropriate and introduced according to tolerance.
Raw organs
Organs are not optional extras: they are dense sources of vitamins and minerals. Liver is especially important, but too much can create imbalances, so quantities matter.
Raw meaty bones
Raw meaty bones provide minerals and help recreate the natural structure of prey. They must be raw, suitable for the size and chewing ability of the dog, and never cooked. Cooked bones are dangerous because they can splinter.
Vegetables
Vegetables can contribute fibre, phytonutrients and digestive support. They usually need to be chopped, crushed or lightly processed so the dog can use them better.
Carbohydrates: yes or no?
Dogs do not need a high-carbohydrate diet. In some cases, small amounts of selected carbohydrates can be useful, but they should not displace the animal-based part of the diet or become the base of the ration.
Proportions of BARF ingredients for dogs
The proportions I propose are those that most closely resemble real prey. For example, mammals have around 50% of their total mass as muscle. Designing a diet with 80% muscle meat is not necessarily the closest thing to what a carnivore would eat in nature.
A practical BARF plan normally combines muscle meat, raw meaty bones, organs and vegetables. The exact proportions vary depending on age, health and tolerance, and this is where professional formulation is important.
Daily BARF rations
Daily rations should be divided according to the dog's age and routine. Adult dogs can often eat once or twice a day. Puppies need more frequent meals. Dogs with digestive sensitivity may also benefit from smaller meals.
BARF diet PDF and example menu for dogs
An example menu is useful to understand the structure of the diet, but it should not be used blindly. A menu must be adapted to body weight, health, activity and the ingredients available to the family.
Deficiencies in raw diets
A raw diet is not automatically balanced just because it is natural. The most common mistakes are using only muscle meat, forgetting organs, using the wrong amount of bone, not adding enough variety, or copying generic menus without considering the dog.
Deficiencies can affect calcium and phosphorus balance, trace minerals, essential fatty acids and vitamins. This is why I recommend guidance when starting, especially for puppies, senior dogs and dogs with disease.
Is it safe to feed raw meat?
Raw meat can be used safely if it is handled correctly: buy good quality meat, respect the cold chain, freeze when appropriate, thaw safely, clean surfaces well and do not leave food at room temperature for long periods.
Families with small children, elderly people or immunosuppressed people should be especially careful with hygiene.
About stools
When the diet is well adapted, stools are usually smaller, firmer and less smelly. Very hard, white stools may indicate too much bone. Soft stools may indicate excess fat, intolerance, transition that is too fast or an ingredient that does not suit the dog.
Travelling with raw food
Travelling with raw food is possible but needs planning. You can use a cooler, frozen portions, temporary cooked homemade food or high-quality commercial alternatives for a few days. The priority is to maintain hygiene and avoid breaking the cold chain.
Can an animal with disease eat BARF?
Yes, some animals with disease can eat a raw or fresh diet, but not with a generic menu. Kidney disease, pancreatitis, liver disease, digestive problems, cancer, allergies, obesity and endocrine disease all require specific nutritional decisions.
In these cases, the diet should be formulated by a veterinarian who understands nutrition and the disease process.
Obesity in dogs and BARF diet
BARF can help overweight dogs when it is correctly planned because it reduces unnecessary carbohydrates and focuses on high-quality protein. However, raw food can also be caloric if portions and fat content are not controlled.
What should I do for my dog to lose weight on BARF?
- Weigh the dog and define a realistic target.
- Use leaner meats and control fat.
- Adjust bone, organ and vegetable proportions.
- Increase movement gradually if the dog can tolerate it.
- Review progress every few weeks and adjust the ration.
Online BARF calculator
This calculator gives an approximate daily ration. It does not replace a personalised veterinary diet.
Where to buy BARF in Barcelona
In Barcelona there are specialist shops and suppliers of raw food for dogs. Choose products that are well frozen, clearly labelled and formulated for dogs, not random butcher leftovers. Ask about ingredients, bone content and whether the product is complete or complementary.
Personalised BARF diet
A personalised diet is the safest option when you want to feed fresh food correctly. It considers your dog's weight, age, clinical history, digestion, allergies, activity, preferences and the practical routine at home.
This is especially important for puppies, senior dogs, animals with disease, animals taking medication and families who are starting from zero.
Need help with your dog's BARF diet?
Gemma can review your dog's case and prepare a personalised fresh food or BARF plan through an online consultation or an appointment in Barcelona.
Learn by yourself with my courses
If you prefer to learn step by step, an online BARF course can help you understand the logic behind the diet: ingredients, proportions, transitions, safety, menus and how to adapt the diet to different dogs.
Online BARF diet course for dogs
The course content is designed to make raw feeding understandable and practical, so you do not depend on generic menus or contradictory information online.
BARF diet for cats
Cats are strict carnivores and their nutritional needs are different from dogs. A feline BARF diet must be formulated specifically for cats and should not be copied from a dog menu.