Unless you’re already familiar with the BARF diet, you probably clicked on this post to figure out just what exactly we’re selling here at Gully Road. Let us put your mind at ease — the BARF diet has nothing to do with regurgitation and everything to do with feeding your pup the right way. Ready to learn more?
What is BARF?
While it sports an unfortunate name, the BARF diet is pretty great. BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (or Bones and Raw Food, depending on who you ask). The diet includes natural foods that your pup is meant to eat — you know, things like raw meat, doggo-safe fruits and veggies, bones, whole grains, and the occasional supplement.
Raw dog food diets like the BARF diet are popular for a variety of reasons. For example, they:
- Don’t have all the nasty additives, preservatives, and flavourings
- Often contain more protein than commercial dog foods
- Can help improve your pup’s overall health
- More closely match what dogs ate in the wild
The benefits of a raw food diet
It may sound gross, but your pup will dig this diet. While it is possible for dogs to eat non-meat-based diets, most pups prefer a raw, carnivorous diet that better matches how their ancestors used to eat.
And while tinned and bagged food is exceptionally convenient and affordable, it won’t hit the spot for most dogs, and these diets just don’t provide the same benefits that a raw food diet can. Choosing a BARF diet can make a world of difference for your pet. Raw food diets can:
Aide in dental health
Raw food diets — especially those that contain bones to help do away with plaque — can be great for your pup’s teeth and gums.
Soothe digestion problems
Help with weight loss
Having a pup with an upset stomach is not fun. Luckily, raw food diets can help eliminate digestive upsets by getting your doggo’s insides back on the right track. That means less pain and discomfort for your furry friend and fewer smelly messes for you to clean up.
If your doggo is struggling to hit and stay at a healthy weight, a raw food diet can help them get there. Plus, a protein-rich diet won’t lead to dangerous muscle loss, even if you’re trying to help your pup slim down.
Boost energy
Packed with essential nutrients and tons of protein, a raw food diet can greatly increase your pup’s energy levels.
Impact mental health
A raw diet can help meet some of the mental needs that your furry friend has, such as the primal need to gnaw and chew. This can help calm and destress your pup, improve their mental health, and even combat not-so-great behaviours.
What you’ll find in the BARF diet
So, how can you start implementing the BARF diet? It’s not just what you feed your pup but also how much. In general, the BARF diet looks something like this:
- 70% raw muscle meat (think lean beef, turkey, pork, fish, eggs, etc.)
- 10% safe, raw bones (whole or ground — never cooked)
- 10% fruit, veggies, and herbs (apples, broccoli, pumpkin, carrots, etc.)
- 5% liver meat
- 5% offal or secreting organ meat (kidney)
- The occasional supplement (vitamin E, zinc, kelp, rosehip, etc.)
Don’t be afraid to change things up for your pup on a week-to-week basis. Just remember to go slow when you’re starting the BARF diet or introducing new foods.
Other types of raw food diets
The BARF diet isn’t the only option out there for pet owners who are looking to go au naturel. The Prey Model Raw (PMR) diet is another popular option, in which pups eat only the food they would find in nature, such as prey animals like rabbits and game birds. This diet doesn’t include any fruits or veg. You can also find commercially processed raw meals that have been frozen or freeze-dried. These usually contain a combination of veggies, vitamins, and other components already pre-mixed for your pup — all you have to do is add the meat.
If your pup is ready to try a raw food diet (and you’re located in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and ACT), Gully Road makes it easy to find high-quality raw meat that your doggo will love. Start your pup off right with quality bones, minced or diced muscle meat, or a PMR mix that will perfectly complement a raw food diet — and supplement it all with a variety of tasty, pooch-approved natural dog treats and chews.
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