The BARF Model, A Raw Dog Food Diet

December 04, 2019 4 min read

Did you know that dogs are direct descendants of wolves, therefore, are naturally carnivores?

Yeap, they share 99.8% of the same D.N.A. makeup! Like wolves, dogs have sharp teeth and strong jaws intended for ripping, crushing, and tearing their food apart. For this reason, they should be eating a diet consisting of predominantly meat and vegetables, like how they would in the wild.

Although canines have evolved over the years with many sizes and breeds, dog's internal makeup is still the same as their ancestors from thousands of years ago! Dogs no longer need to hunt for food, but that does not mean their needs have changed. Feeding a biologically appropriate diet will allow them to benefit tremendously!

Lean muscle, organ meat, and vegtables

Raw Diet For Dogs

There are two known raw diet plans for dogs: thePREY Model Diet and the B.A.R.F. Model Diet. These raw diets for dogs consist of raw meat such as chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, etc.

Some people are worried that feeding any type of raw pet food for dogs is dangerous because of salmonella, E.coli, and Listeria in raw meat. However, these bacteria do little to no harm to dogs because of their biological makeup.

Dogs with a healthy immune system are at little risk of getting sick when consuming BARF dog food.

What Is A BARF Diet For Dogs?

The BARF Model Diet stands for 'Biologically Appropriate Raw Food' and 'Bones And Raw Food.' It is a natural raw diet consisting of about 80% raw meat, 10% bones& organs, and 10% vegetables.

The BARF diet for dogs mimics the diet of their wild ancestors and is the most nutritionally beneficial meal for dogs,similar to how we benefit the most from a natural fresh diet.

Raw dog food will improve your dog's health and lengthen their lifespan because it gives them the proper nutrition!

What Are The Benefits Of A BARF Diet?

BARF dog food will give your dog benefits that you'll love! Since they are absorbing all that nutritious goodness, your dog's internal and external health will soar.

The top 10 benefits of the BARF diet for dogs that the pet owners will rave about is:

Stool Improvement
Skin & Coat Improvement
Allergy Relief
Improved Oral Health
Increase Energy
Less Inflammation
Weight Management
Improved Digestion
Reduced Risk Of Disease
Fewer Vet Visits

Choosing The Best BARF Dog Food

Feeding your dog raw food is excellent! Unlike kibble, a raw diet for dogs will provide the necessary to live a healthy life. However, not all raw food is equal.

The Best Raw Dog Food Will Have:

Lean Muscle Meat Healthy Fats Organ and Bone Content Low Carbohydrate Content Ground Vegetables Complete & Balanced Formulation

Lean Muscle Meat: Lean muscle meats have high protein and provide all the amino acids your dog needs. These meats will also help your dog maintain their weight at a healthy level.
Healthy Fats: Though you should opt for leaner muscles with less fat, your dog´s raw diet should also have healthy fat. Oils from salmon are considered a healthy fat (like Omega 3 fatty acid) and provide great benefits to your dog´s health.
Organ and Bone Content: Organ meat provides additional vitamins and minerals that lean muscle meats lack. Also, the right amount of bone content will give your dog the calcium and other minerals they need.
Low Carbohydrate Content: Dogs can absorb carbohydrates but a high amount of carbohydrates may lead to their digestive problems. Instead, opting for low carbs such as ground vegetables provide enough carbohydrates they need in their diet.
Ground Vegetables: Ground fruits and vegetables help regulate their blood sugar and act as a source of antioxidants and enzymes.
Complete & Balanced Formulation: Similar to the FDA and USDA who check that food being sold and fed to use are nutritional appropriate, dogs have AAFCO. Dog food that is AAFCO approved means that they have met the nutritional minimum.

We know that this may be a lot to take in, but here's some good news!The food at Cali Raw not only meets A.A.F.C.O. standards but also goes above and beyond.

Our formulas, especially our puppy formulas, not only meet A.A.F.C.O. requirements but exceeds them, which means that we are meeting the nutritional needs standards needed by dogs and not just the minimum.

How To Start A Raw Diet For Dogs?

Feeding your dog a raw diet is easier than it seems, especially when you have the Cali Raw team by your side!

Steps To Start A Raw Food Diet For Dogs:

Calculate how much you need to feed per day
Order the amount recommended from your results
Defrost 24-48 hours before feeding
Follow the 20/50/80/100 transition from kibble

For More, Read Our: Transition Guide or Raw Dog Food For Beginners | Guide

A species-appropriate diet will give your dog exactly what they need, and nothing more, to thrive. When your dog eats a processed diet, your dog misses out on vital nutrients and health benefits. A BARF Diet will bring them enhanced health and longevity. Give your dog the diet they need and deserve and reap the benefits together!