Barf diet: what would the natural heir of the wolf eat?

It is increasingly common among pet owners to hear about Barf diet and basic nutrition, but what does it consist of?

Barf Nutrition began to spread in the early 1900s, thanks to Ian Billinghurst an Australian veterinarian who, through the publication of the book entitled » Give your dog a bone « – explained the need for dogs, cats and other animals to feed on raw meat, edible organs and bones. A real philosophy defined, supporters of Barf method affirm their desire to bring pets back to their origins by favoring a diet based on the «predator-prey» system with the ultimate aim of supporting the instincts of our four-legged friends, guaranteeing them a healthy and totally natural lifestyle.

The ultimate goal is to offer your pet a diet that maximizes the nutritional values ​​of each ingredient. The animal’s consumption of raw meat and fish, as long as it is well preserved, guarantees the easy absorption of all the nutrients that the food is naturally supplied with.

What does a bowl that respects the Barf Diet consist of?

Specifically, this type of diet requires that each meal consists of 80% meat, offal and bones and the remainder 20% cooked and then chopped fruit and vegetables . It is advisable to pay nearby pay attention to the administration of the bones ; in fact, they should be taken in moderation and above all not cooked or boiled, this is because as they become soft they tend to break easily and could cause damage once ingested. Furthermore, it is essential to choose a type of bone suitable for your pet’s chewing strength. To conclude, you can also add raw eggs and offal such as liver, lungs, kidneys, all foods rich in vitamins.

In any case, we remember that, as for humans, even with regards to nutrition, the indications can and must vary depending on the needs and requirements of the individual animal, which is why we always recommend relying on a veterinary expert in nutrition .

Niki Natural Barf: the original dog snacks

It is precisely from the idea, from the observation of the habits of dogs and from the desire to offer them only the best and uncontaminated products, that our Niki Barf natural the line was born A line composed of natural snacks for dogs made following these principles and respecting animal and vegetable raw materials.

Taking into account the predator-prey system, which we talked about before, in nature nothing is discarded, in fact an animal rarely wastes food, on the contrary it prefers smaller prey and frequent meals rather than trying to grab too large prey which will not be able to finish quickly by attracting other predators.

All the elements that make up the line have a specific function and are essential for the well-being of our animal. Dog snacks in line with the Barf diet are not cooked but simply dehydrated at low temperatures to make them safe, but at the same time retain the smells and wild texture of their origins.

Bones: deer antler and coffee plant

Biting and chewing are innate behaviors in dogs, Deer antlers for dogs allow the animal to express its natural needs, which are not satisfied by ingesting only dry or wet foods. Furthermore, the particular structure of the horns, hard and porous, favors the cleaning the dog’s teeth facilitating the removal of plaque and promoting healthy and robust gums.

THE Coffee tree bone instead, it is innovative, a completely vegetal chewable without additives and without caffeine, characteristics that make it safe and easily digestible for the animal. During chewing, the wood fibers melt, release a sweet flavor and have an effect similar to that of dental floss, promoting cleaning of the oral cavity.

Flesh, cartilage, skin and hair

The Barf diet involves the consumption of beef, lamb, chicken, horse and fish, paying particular attention that everything is stored correctly. As for meat, there is a wide variety of supplementary snacks to add to the normal diet consisting of wet, dry or Barf-method foods.

Among these we have buffalo meat that contains less fat and is particularly suitable for dogs with obesity problems, but also beef rump, bull and veal rump, and more common meats such as chicken breast and lamb meat. .

In addition, dogs also need to consume skin, with and without hair, cartilage, tripe and other organs that provide all the necessary nutrients to ensure a healthy and adequate diet.

In any case, as happens with human beings when it comes to nutrition, even in this case it is absolutely not advisable to improvise as nutrition experts, but it is necessary for the well-being of our four-legged friends rely on the advice of a veterinary surgeon who knows the animal’s history, its lifestyle and its needs to create a diet suited to your pet’s real needs.