Nutrition & Feeding
Here, puppies are weaned from their mother onto raw meat.
I have been feeding my Westie a raw diet for 11 years, and over the years I have seen with my own eyes how beneficial this way of feeding is. He has pollen allergy, as well as food allergy and flea saliva allergy, so when he was young it was very difficult to find a kibble that didn’t make him scratch or cause intestinal or ear infections.
He absolutely refused to eat hypoallergenic kibble, so I was forced to look for another solution. For a while I cooked for him – that wasn't bad either – but the real breakthrough came with BARF feeding.
The best part was that I knew exactly what he was eating: no fine-print ingredients, no additives or unnecessary fillers – just meat, bone, offal and a little vegetable, with seasonal supplements.
The difference was striking: the itching stopped, he ate with a good appetite, he didn't get sick (which is no small thing for a Westie), he was more active, and the amount of stool also became much less.
B.A.R.F.
The goal of raw feeding is to bring back the foundations of natural nutrition in the dog’s diet.
The BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet includes raw meats, meaty bones, organs and fiber, optionally supplemented with eggs, herbs or dietary supplements when needed.
Although the dog is a predator and its body (short digestive tract, strong stomach acid, low amylase enzyme levels) is suited to digesting raw meat, every dog is an individual – some tolerate this diet better, some less well, or not at all, so it cannot be stated that it is the ideal choice for every dog. However, it can be tailored to the individual dog more easily than kibble.
The Benefits of the BARF Diet
- The ingredients of the food are visible – no hidden components or additives
- Healthy, energetic dog
- Shiny, strong coat
- Good digestion and appetite
- Varied, easily adjustable diet
- Prevention of diseases
Puppyhood – the Most Important Period
The first one and a half years determine the dog’s entire life: this is when the nervous system, bones, joints and digestive system develop. During this period it is especially important to receive high-quality proteins and fatty acids – the raw diet provides these in a natural form.
Puppies adapt to raw feeding more quickly, as their stomach acid is stronger and their digestion is more flexible than that of adult dogs.
One of the most important parts of the BARF diet is keeping the right proportions, because this is what makes it balanced, healthy and sustainable in the long term!
General BARF ratios:
40% muscle meat trimmings,
40% meaty bones,
10% organs (half liver, half other organs)
10% vegetables + fruit.
This ratio should, of course, be tailored to the individual, depending on condition, age, and specific needs. Meat (trimmings, fattier, more sinewy parts) is the dog’s primary source of energy and building material. It builds muscle, supports regeneration, provides energy – and most dogs love it!
After an elimination diet, it is worth alternating the types of meat. The diet should include white meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit), red meat (beef, fallow deer, venison), and fish.
Diverse types of meat provide different amino acids and micronutrients. This is why it is NOT good if a dog always receives only one type of meat.