BARFing puppies is an important first step on the way to a lifelong, biologically appropriate diet for your dog. A puppy can usually be BARFed as soon as it can eat solid food. A transition phase, for example with dry food, is not necessary. To ensure that everything goes smoothly in the first weeks and months of a dog's life, we have put together some tips for BARFing puppies: From the right way to start the BARF diet to the correct division of portions for your dog - what does BARFing puppies involve?
BARFing puppies: a short guide
“How can I BARF my puppy?” This is a question that many dog owners ask themselves when they try biologically appropriate raw feeding for the first time with a young dog. Basically, the BARF diet is largely the same as for an adult dog – with a few important adjustments.
The first question that naturally arises when BARFing a puppy is which types of meat to use. There should not be too much variety, especially in the first few months of life. The puppy should initially be accustomed to one or two types of meat so that the immune system and digestion can adjust to the new diet. If your dog has a clear favorite or even completely ignores a certain type of meat, the latter can be changed. As with adult dogs, BARFing for puppies should also include other ingredients besides meat. Offal , fruit and vegetables as well as herbs and linseed oil complement your puppy's diet wonderfully and ensure that it receives all the important nutrients.
As a puppy, the dog is naturally in the growth phase, so the right amount of calcium and other minerals is essential. These can be supplemented with a special puppy supplement , for example. As a rule of thumb, 15 grams per kilogram of meat should be added to beef or lamb , and around 6 grams to poultry , fish , horse or rabbit . In addition, minced chicken and turkey necks contain more calcium than classic muscle meat or offal.
How much food does the young dog get?
A crucial detail for BARFing puppies is the higher amount of food compared to adult dogs - relatively speaking, of course. Up to the sixth month of life, a puppy should eat about six percent of its own body weight every day. This means for owners: regular weighing is a must. After that, the amount of food required drops at regular intervals to the amount of two percent recommended for adult dogs. The amount of food can be divided from four to five meals a day to two to three meals a day.
Conclusion
BARFing puppies is not difficult - if you take into account the age and development-specific characteristics of young dogs. There are differences in the amount of food and the portions given, but these adapt over the course of the dog's life. Ready-made BARF for puppies is also a good option as a supplementary feed. BARFing puppies is therefore a good method of getting the dog used to the BARF method of nutrition.
