Raw Feeding Basics
What Is a BARF Diet for Dogs in Edmonton?
Jan 29, 2024
BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food and is one of the most common frameworks for raw dog feeding. Here is what it includes and how it works.
If you have spent any time researching raw dog food, you have probably come across the term BARF. It stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (sometimes also called Bones and Raw Food), and it is one of the two most common frameworks used to structure a raw feeding diet. For a comparison of the two main approaches, see our post on BARF vs prey model raw feeding.
The BARF model is typically made up of the following components:
Muscle meat: the primary protein source, usually making up around 70 percent of the diet.
Raw meaty bones: provide calcium and phosphorus, and give dogs something to chew.
Organ meat: nutrient-dense additions like liver and kidney, typically around 10 percent of the diet.
Vegetables and fruit: a distinguishing feature of BARF compared to prey model raw feeding. BARF includes plant-based ingredients like leafy greens, carrots, and berries. See our post on raw dog food with vegetables and fruits for more on this.
Eggs and dairy: some BARF practitioners include eggs and small amounts of fermented dairy like kefir.
The main difference is the inclusion of vegetables and fruits. Prey model raw feeding aims to replicate the whole prey an animal would eat in the wild, without any plant matter. BARF takes a broader approach, including plant ingredients for additional nutrients.
Neither approach is definitively correct. What works best depends on your dog, their age, activity level, and any specific health considerations. Our guide on what raw dog food is made of breaks down the core components that both approaches share.
It can be, if you are sourcing and preparing all the components yourself. Many Edmonton dog owners choose pre-made raw food blends that are formulated to BARF ratios, which takes the guesswork out of balancing the diet. Hound and Bone carries both meat-only and meat-and-vegetable blends to suit different raw feeding approaches. Browse our BARF-style blends to find the right fit for your dog.
If you are new to raw feeding in Edmonton, start with a single pre-made blend from a trusted supplier. Get comfortable with handling and thawing raw food before adding variety. From there, you can explore different proteins and formulations as you and your dog settle into a routine.
This article is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. Every dog is different — consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet. Individual results may vary.