Proper barfing: How the BARF diet works for dogs
BARF stands for "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food" and describes a form of feeding in which dogs are provided with raw meat, offal, bones, vegetables, fruit and oils. The aim of this diet is to make feeding as natural and individualised as possible.
The BARF concept was originally based on the prey principle of the wolf. In today's dog nutrition, however, the aim is not to imitate the wolf, but to provide the dog with all the necessary nutrients as required.
And this is precisely the crucial point. It is not the type of feeding that is decisive, but whether the ration completely covers the dog's nutritional requirements.
The basic principle of BARF nutrition
A balanced BARF ration consists of more than just meat. To keep a dog healthy in the long term, several components must be combined in the right proportions:
- Muscle meat as a protein base
- Offal as a natural source of vitamins and trace elements
- Bones or an alternative source of calcium
- Vegetables and fruit for fibre and phytochemicals
- Oils for essential fatty acids
- Mineral and vitamin supplements to cover requirements
A purely meat-based diet does not fulfil requirements and leads to nutrient deficiencies in the long term.
Components of a BARF plan - and why they need to be calculated so precisely
For BARF to be truly balanced, each ration must be calculated individually. Many factors play a role here:
- Body weight and ideal weight of the dog
- Age and activity level of the dog
- Energy requirement
- Calcium-phosphorus ratio
- Iodine and vitamin D supply
- Trace elements such as zinc, copper and manganese
In theory, this is easy to realise. In practice, however, it is precisely this point that poses the greatest challenge for many dog owners.
- Rich in plant-based omega-3 fatty acids - promotes skin health, coat shine and defences
- 100% cold-pressed natural product - maximum purity and optimum effect
- Supports cell metabolism and the formation of defence cells
- Can have an anti-inflammatory effect - helpful for skin problems and joint stress
- Versatile use - simply mix into the daily food of dogs and cats
- Practical dosing bottle - clean, easy and economical to use in everyday life
Content: 0.5 liter (€29.20 / 1 liter)
- Gluten-free & easily digestible - ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies
- Particularly low in fat - supports the feeding of overweight dogs
- Rich in unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid for a balanced diet
- Contains a lot of silicic acid - can have a positive effect on skin, coat and connective tissue
- Can be ideally combined with PERRO Premium Pure wet food for customised meals
- No added vitamins & minerals - pure, natural flake quality
- With six different types of vegetables - a varied and natural supplement
- Gently dried - vitamins and minerals are optimally preserved
- Provides important fibre - supports regular digestion
- Gluten- and grain-free - also suitable for sensitive animals
- Versatile - perfect for BARFing, fresh meat or wet food
- Easy to use - soak briefly and mix into the feed
- Made from carrots, peas, parsnips, beetroot & parsley
- Gluten and grain-free - ideal for sensitive dogs
- Versatile - ideal for BARF, home-cooked rations or with wet food
- Rich in natural fibre - supports healthy digestion
- No artificial additives - pure nature for your dog
- Perfect addition to PERRO Premium Pure - for a balanced meal
- grain- & gluten-free
- with parsnips, carrots, potatoes & peas
- ideal for grain intolerance
- for mixing with meat
- Easily digestible and therefore also very suitable for sensitive dogs
- Provides variety in the food bowl and perfectly complements meat-orientated meals
- Gluten-free - well tolerated even with intolerances
- Natural source of energy with easily digestible carbohydrates
- Neutral in flavour and therefore versatile in combination with meat products
- Easy to soak and quick to prepare - also perfect for overweight people
- High proportion of utilisable protein - supports muscle and organ function
- Rich in fibre - promotes healthy digestion and long-lasting satiety
- Gluten-free and very digestible - also suitable for sensitive dogs or allergy sufferers
- Perfect supplement for elimination diets - makes it easier to recognise intolerances
- Ideal for weight reduction - satiates without unnecessary calories
- Ideal with PERRO Premium Pure wet food - for a personalised meal
- 100 % ostrich meat & offal - high-quality single protein quality
- Hypoallergenic & grain-free - ideal for allergies & food intolerances
- Low in fat & cholesterol - ideal for overweight or metabolic problems
- Rich in iron, supports blood formation & muscle building
- Valuable omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids for skin, coat & immune system
- Perfect basis for customised feeding plans with PERRO flakes
- Rich in beta-carotene - protects the cells through its antioxidant effect
- Provides important vitamins & minerals - including vitamin A, magnesium, calcium and potassium
- Supports digestion - thanks to high fibre content
- Healthy satiating food - also ideal for feeding during diets or weight loss
- Grain and gluten-free - also very well tolerated by sensitive dogs
- Perfect addition to PERRO Premium Pure meat cans - for a balanced menu
- Excellent alternative to the conventional potato
- Rich in fibre - supports healthy digestion
- Provides valuable nutrients such as vitamin D, carotene and iron
- Sweet flavour - ensures high acceptance with picky dogs
- Gluten-free - also ideal for allergy sufferers
- With PERRO Premium Pure wet food for individually customised meals
BARF in practice
What challenges can arise when barking?
Ration calculation is time-consuming, needs to be adjusted regularly and requires in-depth knowledge of nutrients. At the same time, the nutrient content of raw meat varies depending on its origin and composition. As a result, many BARF plans are fed "by feel" on a daily basis - and therefore no longer fulfil requirements.
Typical consequences can be:
- unbalanced calcium supply
- Iodine deficiency
- Vitamin D deficiency
- incorrect mineral ratios
These errors do not arise from a lack of interest, but from the high complexity of the implementation.
Typical mistakes when barfing
The most common nutritional-physiological problems include:
- incorrect calcium-phosphorus ratio
- lack of iodine
- Vitamin D deficiency
- too high liver content
- exclusive feeding of meat
- lack of adaptation of the ration
These are usually caused by the high complexity of ration planning - not by a lack of care on the part of the dog owner.
How much BARF does a dog need?
A rough guide is a daily amount of 2-3% of body weight. However, the actual requirement depends heavily on the dog's activity, metabolism and stage of life.
| Body weight | Calm behaviour | Normally active | Very active |
| 5kg | 100g | 125g | 150g |
| 10kg | 200g | 250g | 300g |
| 15kg | 300g | 375g | 450g |
| 20kg | 400g | 500g | 600g |
| 25kg | 500g | 625g | 750g |
| 30kg | 600g | 750g | 900g |
Example: BARF daily ration for a 20kg dog
Daily requirement: 500g
| BARF component | Proportion | Amount |
| Meat base | 50% | 250g |
| Vegetable components | 20% | 100g |
| Oil | approx. 2% | 10g |
| Mineral & vitamin supplement | as required | as required |
Who is BARF suitable for - and who isn't?
BARF is particularly suitable for dog owners who want to work intensively with ration calculation or work with professional support.
It is less suitable for:
- BARF beginners without nutritional advice
- Growing puppies
- Dogs with certain illnesses
For these groups, a modular feeding system that is easy to plan offers a much simpler and safer solution.
Alternative to BARF
Why many dog owners are looking for an alternative to BARF
Many dog owners start with BARF out of conviction. However, there are often practical challenges in everyday life:
- complex ration calculation
- Uncertainty with supplementation
- Freezing capacity for meat
- Hygiene when handling raw meat
- difficult to implement on holiday or when travelling
- fluctuating meat quality
The result is often the desire for a feed that:
✓ can be combined individually
✓ but is much easier to implement
✓ and at the same time ensures a reliable supply of nutrients
The PERRO building block concept as a well thought-out BARF alternative
The PERRO building block system was developed with precisely these requirements in mind. It is based on the structure of a BARF ration, but reduces the planning effort and ensures constant nutrient values.
1.The animal base - pure meat of consistent quality: The meat component is covered by the PERRO Pur line. The great advantage over raw meat is the consistent composition and easy handling - without the need for freezing.
2.Vegetable components for fibre and micronutrients: Either the PERRO Dog Flakes or the PERRO Vegi line are used for this , providing a defined, consistent composition without the need for time-consuming washing, cutting or pureeing of vegetables.
3.Essential fatty acids: Oils are specifically supplemented to provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Use our PERRO salmon oil or PERRO linseed oil for this purpose
4.Minerals and vitamins to cover requirements: Coordinated supplements ensure that the ration is complete and balanced in the long term.
The decisive advantage of the PERRO building block concept
The PERRO building block concept enables feeding that:
- is orientated towards the BARF principle
- can be individually combined
- does not require complex ration calculations
- offers a constant supply of nutrients
- is suitable for everyday use and hygienic
This significantly reduces one of the biggest hurdles of classic BARF - the complicated planning.
Veterinary classification
From a veterinary point of view, the decisive factor is: It is not the form of feeding that is decisive, but the supply of energy to cover requirements:
- Energy
- Amino acids
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Trace elements
A system with defined building blocks and constant nutrient levels significantly reduces the risk of inadequate supply and facilitates long-term balanced feeding.
