NATURE FIRST · GETTING STARTED
BARF for Beginners
The relaxed start into raw feeding. Easy to follow, no pressure, step by step.
From the outside, raw feeding often looks complicated. Once you have understood the basic principle, though, it is not. This guide takes away the fear of mistakes and shows you how to get your dog used to fresh food calmly and safely.
At a glance
- BARF means biologically appropriate raw food
- Rough guide: about 2 to 3 percent of body weight per day
- Balance is built over days and weeks, not per meal
- Introduce one protein source after another
What BARF means at its core
Instead of highly processed commercial food, your dog gets fresh, raw ingredients modelled on a natural prey animal: muscle meat, raw meaty bone, organs and a small plant share. If you want to understand the basics right from the start, first read our overview What Is BARF?.
Perhaps the most important sentence for beginners is this: you do not have to get everything perfect at once. A balanced diet is built over several days and weeks.
Getting started in five steps
Work out the daily amount
As a rough guide, an adult dog eats about two to three percent of its body weight per day. The BARF calculator gives you the exact figure.
Start with one protein source
Begin with a well-tolerated variety such as beef or turkey, one protein source at a time. That way you can tell what your dog tolerates well.
Add the components
After the first few days, raw meaty bone, organs and a little pureed vegetable are added.
Observe
Stool, weight, coat and energy are your best indicators. Firm, small stool is a good sign.
Find a routine
Prepare once, freeze in portions, thaw the day before. “Time-consuming” quickly becomes everyday routine.
Calm instead of pressure to be perfect
Many beginners worry that every meal has to be mathematically perfect. That is not the case. The body stores nutrients and evens things out over the week. What matters is that, across a period of one to two weeks, all the building blocks appear in a reasonable ratio.
Anyone who has little time or wants to be completely safe can use ready-made fresh menus. That way you get the benefits of fresh feeding without having to calculate yourself.
Safe in the kitchen
Thanks to its short, acidic digestive tract, the dog copes well with germs from raw meat. The bigger issue is hygiene for people: store meat cold, work cleanly, clean surfaces, cutting boards and hands, and do not refreeze anything that has been thawed. In households with immunocompromised people, or with dogs that have a weakened immune system, discuss the feeding with your veterinarian beforehand.
Ready for the first bowl?
Work out the right amount for your dog and deepen the basics.
Sources & further reading
- Ian Billinghurst: Give Your Dog a Bone. The foundational work that coined the term BARF.
- Tom Lonsdale: Raw Meaty Bones. On the role of raw meaty bones.
- Carina B. Macdonald: Raw Dog Food: Make It Easy for You and Your Dog. A practical introduction.
Note: This article is for general information and does not replace veterinary advice. For puppies, pregnant or sick dogs, and special life stages, please consult your veterinarian.
The right gear for every dog day, from the bowl to the favourite spot: our recommendations.