The right BARF mix ratio is the basis for a balanced diet for your animal. Many people who are dealing with BARF for the first time think that the diet consists exclusively of meat. In fact, there are several other components that play an important role in the BARF mix ratio. Fruit and vegetables, bones or calcium and oils are just as much a part of the BARF diet as meat.
BARF that's what matters
When you mix BARF food, it is always important to consider the medium to long-term perspective. Not every meal has to be perfectly balanced - it is more important to provide all the nutrients your pet needs over the course of weeks and months. At the same time, excess should also be avoided: with some BARF ingredients, such as bones and cartilage for calcium, a large portion that covers the weekly requirement or more at once can even be harmful and lead to digestive problems.
Basically, the largest part of the BARF mixture should be made up of meat or other animal products. Adult animals that are not yet seniors in particular benefit from regular protein intake and are usually very active. Only when the animal's metabolism changes with age can the animal portion be reduced in favor of other components. These are mainly fruit and vegetables, which provide variety and important fiber. Last but not least, there is oil and calcium. The latter can be covered by regularly feeding bone portions, but the important omega-3 fatty acids must be supplied specifically. Our salmon oil , for example, is suitable for this. Depending on body weight (and therefore the size of the meal), half to two teaspoons should be added to the rest of the meal every day.
BARF mixing ratio: dry and wet food
You often read that BARF can also be mixed with other types of food, such as dry food or wet food. We generally advise against this method of feeding, as the digestive tract, especially in dogs, works best when one type of food is used consistently. If, for example, BARF food and dry food are fed together, this can lead to confusion in the digestion - with the result that neither food is processed optimally.
BARF Mixture Ratio: The Dietary Change
When switching from other food to BARF, it is best not to mix old food and BARF. Give the old food for the last time in the evening and start BARFing the next morning on an empty stomach. Before you switch your animal from dry or wet food to BARF, you should also test whether it likes fresh meat. So, if you have the opportunity, feed it small bites before the switch to test whether your pet is ready for a BARF diet. For example, start with popular varieties such as beef , poultry or horse for those with allergies.
