B.A.R.F diet for dogs
Raw muscle meat, meaty bones and organ meat. The diet a dog’s biology was designed for, with no processing and no fillers.
The diet dogs evolved to eat
B.A.R.F stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, a term coined by veterinarian Dr Ian Billinghurst in 1993. The principle is straightforward: feed dogs the diet their biology was designed for.
When commercial food is processed at high heat, a reaction binds some of the amino acids, including lysine, so your dog can’t use them. Raw food isn’t cooked, so it skips that step.
What goes in the bowl
Dr Billinghurst set out the B.A.R.F framework and the 80/10/10 ratio in his 1993 book Give Your Dog a Bone, and it is still the starting point for raw feeding around the world.
What raw feeders tell us they notice
Every dog is different, but these are the changes owners tell us about after switching to raw.
- Cleaner teeth and fresher breath
- A shinier coat
- Smaller, firmer, less smelly stools
- Easier weight management
- More energy
- Dogs that can’t wait for dinner
How to transition your dog
Most dogs settle into raw quickly. Take it at their pace and keep an eye on how they respond.
Fast for half a day
Before the first raw meal, fast your dog for half a day to a full day. This builds appetite and gets them ready for the change. Skip the fast for very small or young dogs and for any dog with a medical condition.
Introduce slowly
Replace a little of the old diet at a time. Puppies switch the same way as adults, over a week or two, and older dogs often do better over two to three weeks. We recommend starting with a lean protein like chicken before introducing richer options.
Monitor and adjust
If loose stools appear, pause and wait until they firm up before carrying on. Every dog changes over at their own pace, so there’s no rush.
Our switching guide has a day-by-day plan.
B.A.R.F questions
Is raw feeding suitable for puppies?
Yes. Puppies switch over the same way as adult dogs, a little at a time over a week or two. Start slowly, watch how they respond and adjust the pace to suit them. Our puppy feeding guide has amounts by age.
How much should I feed my dog?
As a general guide, an adult dog with a normal activity level needs around 2 to 3% of its body weight a day. Use our feed calculator for an amount based on your dog’s weight and life stage. Our guide to how much raw food to feed has amounts by weight.
What’s the difference between B.A.R.F and prey model raw?
Both are built on raw meat, bone and organ. Prey model raw sticks to animal parts only, with no plant foods at all, while many B.A.R.F feeders add a small amount of vegetables or fruit. Our prey model raw page explains how it works.
What protein should I start with?
We recommend starting with a lean, single protein like chicken before introducing richer options or our blended products. This makes it easy to see how your dog is responding.
How much does raw feeding cost?
Often less than you’d expect, and often about the same as premium kibble. Use our feed calculator to work out an amount for your dog’s size. Our raw versus kibble cost guide compares the two per day.
Ready to make the switch?
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