Barf is gaining popularity in recent years. However, this feeding method has its peculiarities, especially with puppies. In this article we help you understand the barf diet for puppies.
Is a raw diet OK for puppies?
Feeding a puppy a barf diet is possible and makes sense. In fact, with this method you can meet the particular needs of your puppy. In addition, you can use whatever ingredients you want. Thus, you decide where the components come from and how they are made.
Puppies can also grow up healthy and meet their needs on the barf diet. However, it is important to take note of certain things and feed them balanced rations with all the minerals, vitamins and trace elements they need.
What should be taken into account?
An adult dog already has particular requirements when it comes to meeting its demand for essential nutrients. A puppy, growing so fast in such a short time, has an even greater demand for these nutrients.
The energy intake should not be excessive so that growth is not too rapid. However, the calorie supply must be sufficient. The ration should contain an amount of calcium and phosphorus that meets their needs in the correct proportion.
From when can you start?
The barf diet for puppies born at home can be implemented as early as the fifth week. It should be given as a supplement to mother's milk and be easy to digest. In addition to meat, give chopped raw vegetables and bones to ensure calcium intake.
Around the seventh week, weaning from the mother begins. Now you can feed him exclusively on a barf diet for puppies.
He can also chew on raw meaty bones to help care for his baby teeth. You can reduce the risk of damage to the baby teeth by giving him soft bones with a lot of muscle. For example, chicken necks, lamb ribs and oxtails are good choices.
How do I start?
The easiest thing, logically, would be that the puppy has already started with the barf diet at the breeder's house. Then, the only thing you would have to do is to continue with his usual food.
Otherwise, it is better to play it safe and give him his usual food for the first two weeks. The arrival in a new home is exciting enough for the little one. After that, the change of food should be gradual and careful.
Switching to barf diet
To switch from commercial feed to barf puppy food, first continue to feed mainly their usual food. Then replace parts of the ration with raw meat and vegetables. It is important that the transition is gradual so that the gastrointestinal tract can get used to the new food.
At first, some puppies are skeptical of unfamiliar food. To make it easier, you can cook the meat a little and gradually shorten the cooking time. Also, if you offer him a piece of meat in your hand as a snack, he will be hungry for more.
How much barf should I feed my puppy?
Regardless of whether it is conventional or barf food, puppies eat three to four times a day. In terms of quantity, they need four to six percent of their body weight per day.
In very small or large breeds, the percentage should be adjusted upwards (very small) or downwards (very large). In addition, the needs of the individual dog should be taken into account and the caloric intake calculated accordingly.
A normal ration is 80% of animal origin and 20% of vegetable origin. If cereals are added, these proportions should be adjusted. A dog without health problems usually tolerates processed cereals and other carbohydrates very well.
For a barf diet for puppies to be balanced and include all the necessary nutrients, it should contain the following:
Meat and animal products
Meat and other animal products provide energy and are a source of protein and amino acids. Your puppy needs all of these to grow properly.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are important sources of fiber for the intestine. You can use them fresh or in the form of dehydrated flakes. Only foods suitable for dogs should be used.
Cereals
Carbohydrates do not necessarily figure in a classic barf ration for dogs. However, they provide immediate energy for almost all metabolic processes in the body.
You can use various processed cereals, potatoes or rice. In order for the dog to assimilate them well, the carbohydrate sources must be cooked.
Oils
Oils contain important fatty acids. As the omega 3 and 6 fatty acid and vitamin D content of oils varies, you should add a mixture of different oils.
Additives
No artificial additives are used in a strict barf diet for puppies. In fact, the rations contain natural ingredients that provide all the minerals, trace elements and vitamins.
However, additives adapted to the needs of the puppy and its ration are easier to dose.
Help from barf store
If you do not want to complicate your life, you can resort to the complete barf menus in specialized stores. These consist of fresh meat and a perfectly adjusted proportion of fruit and vegetables. However, these menus are not perfect either.
Indeed, not all of them contain all the necessary nutrients. So make sure that the menu is suitable for puppies and that it includes all the essential nutrients in the list of components.
If you want to be sure, ask a canine nutritionist to examine the menu.
Intermediate and alternative solutions
Barf feeding for puppies also has its risks. In fact, raw meat carries a not inconsiderable danger of infection due to germs. This danger not only threatens the dog, but also its caregiver, either directly or indirectly. Young children and immunocompromised people are most at risk.
Home-cooked meals
An intermediate solution is the feeding of home-cooked food. The loss of nutrients from the meat is very low and the transmission of germs is ruled out. The cooked rations have the same composition as the barf diet for puppies.
Partial barf
Another option is to combine an occasional or partial barf diet with conventional feeding. However, make sure that the puppy does not receive too little or too much of essential nutrients.
With any type of diet, the most important thing is that the puppy digests it well and grows up healthy. If so, you're doing it right.