BARF and the Prey Model are two different concepts of raw feeding for pets. While the debate about which model is better is quite passionate on both sides, it should be noted right from the start that in a direct comparison there are significantly more similarities than differences. In the following, we would like to introduce both sides and give beginners a general idea of raw feeding.
BARF and Prey-Model
similarities
Whether BARF or Prey Model - both methods of raw feeding rely largely on animal products in your pet's nutritional mix. While BARF was always about "replicating" a prey animal using various products, the prey model actually involves feeding whole prey animals. However, as this is often rather impractical, the prey animal has now been put together for the most part, the so-called "Frankenprey". The main part of the animal's diet in both BARF and the prey model consists of components such as muscle meat and tripe. In addition, there are offal (liver, kidneys, etc.), bones and, in BARF, the plant-based part.
With BARF and the prey model, roughly the same amount of animal parts are generally fed. With BARF, however, the proportion of offal is slightly higher and that of muscle meat and tripe slightly lower, while with the prey model, the proportion of liver in the offal can be higher than with BARF. Both models also feed bones, although the calculation of the proportion with BARF is based on a mixture of bones and surrounding meat. The prey model, on the other hand, is based on bare bones. Here, too, the differences are rather small overall and are usually in the range of a few to several dozen grams.
differences
When it comes to prey and BARF meat, there are no major differences between BARF and the prey model. This changes when you look at the rest of the diet. As you can see in our BARF calculator , BARF consists to a significant extent of fruit and vegetables with raw fiber, which can be beneficial for digestion, as well as other secondary plant substances. These are intended to simulate the intestinal contents of the prey animal. Animals, and especially dogs, that are fed according to the prey model regularly receive other components, such as fur, blood, feces or berries. Cats, on the other hand, do not receive a significant proportion of plant-based foods in either the BARF or the prey model.
additives
In contrast to BARF, the Prey Model does not use any other additives in the food, as these do not occur in nature either. This method does not have to be a disadvantage for the animal fed in this way, provided it can live in a species-appropriate manner and is provided with high-quality meat. If this is not the case, additives can nevertheless be a valuable help. This depends very much on the circumstances of the animal's keeping and the individual pet. BARF offers a concept that takes the challenges of modern dog keeping into greater account, while the Prey Model is even more geared towards nature and the original living conditions.
