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.
- Gluten-free vegetable and millet mix for variety in the bowl
- With popped millet, carrots, peas, potato, parsnip & banana
- Ideal as a supplement to meat meals (BARF, cooked or PERRO Premium Pure)
- No added vitamins & minerals - for targeted, personalised feeding
- Gently dried for maximum nutrient retention
- Simply mix with water or meat stock
- 100% goat meat & offal – a simple, single-protein recipe with no unnecessary
- additives; a rare source of protein – Goat meat is rarely found in standard dog food
- Hypoallergenic & very well tolerated – ideal for allergies or intolerances
- Lean meat with a high protein content, iron and zinc
- . Ideal for mixing – with an allergen-free source of carbohydrates.
- Gently cold-filled to maximise the retention of nutrients and flavour
- Pure natural product made from green-lipped mussel - without additives
- Rich in glycosaminoglycans - supports cartilage, tendons and ligaments
- Promotes mobility and resilience during sport, training or growth
- Helps older animals and with joint diseases such as HD, ED or osteoarthritis
- Provides cats with additional natural taurine for vitality and heart health
- Simply mix into the daily food - high acceptance and easy dosing
- vegetarian supplementary feed for dogs
- to mix with PERRO Premium Pur or meat
- 100% vegetable product
- made from freshly cooked vegetables
Content: 0.41 kilogram (€8.54 / 1 kilogram)
- Easily digestible pasta made from durum wheat semolina, ideal for soaking in water
- Refined with spinach and carrots - rich in natural vitamins and minerals
- Made without egg, therefore also suitable for dogs with egg intolerances
- Goes perfectly with meat-based meals for a balanced diet
- Vegan, grain-based and without artificial additives
- Free from added vitamins and minerals
- Supports the immune system and promotes your pet's vitality
- Can contribute to a shinier coat, healthier skin and more stable digestion
- Ideal for supplementing BARF rations or cooked food
- Particularly suitable for breeding animals, puppies, performance dogs and cats with additional requirements
- Practical powder form - simply mix into the daily food
- To replenish the body's own stores
- Rich in vegetable protein - ideal as a supplement to meat
- Supports the immune system and vitality
- Grain-free & particularly digestible
- Can lower cholesterol and promote nerve function
- Popular with almost all dogs - high acceptance
- Can be optimally combined with PERRO Premium Pure wet food
- 100 % beef rumen - high-quality single-protein recipe
- Particularly tasty - also suitable for fussy dogs
- Rich in protein - supports muscles & vitality
- Provides important minerals such as iron, calcium & magnesium
- Ideal for gluten-free & grain-free diets
- Can be perfectly combined with PERRO dog flakes for customised rations
- Meat & offal exclusively from game and poultry - natural recipe
- Particularly well tolerated - ideal for sensitive or picky dogs
- Game meat with low fat content for a lean diet
- Poultry as an easily digestible source of protein, rich in iron & vitamins
- Puristic without unnecessary additives - perfect for customised feeding plans
- Gently cold-filled for maximum nutrient & flavour retention
- Reliably covers the daily requirement of vitamins & minerals
- Ideal for supplementing barf and home-cooked rations
- Supports athletically active and physically stressed dogs
- Protects against deficiency symptoms and promotes long-term vitality
- Easy to dose - simply mix into the daily feed
- Well tolerated - suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes
Content: 0.1 kilogram (€382.00 / 1 kilogram)
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.
