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.
- 100 % fruit, grain-free and gluten-free
- Valuable vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals from fruit
- Provides variety and natural flavour in the food bowl
- Harmonises perfectly with Premium Pure tins or BARF
- Gently dried for a long shelf life
- Free from added vitamins and minerals - full control when organising the ration
- Natural support for the immune system thanks to valuable sulphur compounds
- Can keep ticks, fleas and other parasites away naturally
- With brewer's yeast - rich in B vitamins for a shiny coat and healthy skin
- Supplemented with minerals for a balanced supply of nutrients
- Easy to use: mix into the feed daily
- Safe dosage - utilises the positive properties of garlic without risk
- Pure buffalo meat & offal – a single-protein source of outstanding quality for a transparent and informed approach to dog nutrition
- A rare source of protein – suitable for elimination diets, as it is rarely found in conventional dog food
- Maximum flexibility – as a premium pure meat tin, it provides the perfect base for customised mixing with PERRO flakes
- Uncompromising purity – gently cold-filled and gently cooked to preserve nutrients and flavour as much as possible
- Low in fat and cholesterol – ideal for dogs that are overweight or have a fat intolerance
- 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
- 100% salmon monoprotein – pure, premium salmon fillet and nutritious salmon offal
- Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – supports skin, coat and the immune system
- Hypoallergenic & gentle on the stomach – fish is extremely easy to digest and the ideal, safe single-protein alternative for dogs with a meat allergy
- High nutritional value and higher fat content – perfect for active dogs with allergies and as an elimination diet
- Ideal for mixing – can be combined as desired with the high-quality PERRO dog flakes
- Uncompromising purity – gently cold-filled to preserve nutrients and natural flavour
- 100% horse – top-quality muscle meat & offal
- Single-protein – perfect for dogs with allergies and sensitive dogs
- Hypoallergenic & easily digestible – ideal for elimination diets
- Rich in high-quality protein, iron & vitamin A
- Carbohydrate-free – ideal for a deliberately reduced-calorie diet
- Perfect for mixing with PERRO dog flakes to create customised meals
- Also included in the Sensitive Starter Box Horse
- Easy to digest – ideal for sensitive dogs and suitable as a light diet
- Low-fat formula – ideal for supporting a calorie-conscious diet
- Versatile – for stretching the daily food ration or as a BARF supplement
- Provides easily digestible carbohydrates – for a gentle supply of energy
- The perfect complement to PERRO Premium Pur wet food – can be combined as required
- No added vitamins or minerals – for a flexible supplement tailored to your dog’s needs
- Gentle on the stomach and easily digestible - ideal for sensitive dogs
- Ideal as a diet food for stomach and intestinal problems
- With easily digestible rice and carrots, leek & lovage
- Perfect addition to PERRO Premium Pure wet food
- No artificial additives, naturally easy to digest
- Easy to soak - for quick and practical preparation
- Gluten-free recipe - perfect for dogs with gluten intolerances
- With nutrient-rich amaranth - provides valuable amino acids & minerals
- Contains potato, brown millet & banana - gentle on digestion and easily digestible
- Natural content of calcium, magnesium, iron & zinc - supports vitality and metabolism
- Versatile - ideal as a supplement to PERRO Premium Pure meat cans
- Easy to prepare - just mix with water or salt-free meat stock
- Rich in natural beta-carotene - is converted to vitamin A in the body
- Vitamin A strengthens the eyes, the immune system and supports healthy growth
- Can help regulate digestion in the event of soft faeces or diarrhoea
- Contributes to healthy skin, a shiny coat and stable mucous membranes
- Also ideal for puppies, young dogs and pregnant female dogs
- 100% carrot, gently dried - without additives, grain- and gluten-free
Content: 0.8 kilogram (€26.50 / 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.
