Choose BARF or pellets? A question asked by many dog owners who want to treat their animal friend to a quality diet that will benefit them in the long term. Currently, you can find a number of high-quality pellets on the market, but in recent years, the style of feeding raw food – BARF – has come to the fore. Which feeding method will be more suitable for you and your pet? We will advise you!
Pellet feeding is simple and suits most dogs
Feeding a dog dry food in the form of granules is generally considered reliable and easy. Granules for dogs they have a long shelf life and do not require any special storage – thanks to that you can take with you on trips or trips to nature.
Currently found on the market a large offer of quality granules that differ in their focus – for puppies, adult dogs or senior dogs, pregnant bitches, dog allergy sufferers or granules for dogs with liver or kidney damage, etc. All you have to do is choose the right ones with regard to the size, physical condition and health status of the dog (in the case of dietary or hypoallergenic granules always consult a veterinarian for selection).
The quality of the composition is crucial for granules!
Please keep in mind that the quality of dog kibble can really vary widely – therefore avoid the cheapest pellets, which are more likely to harm your dog – because they contain a lot of cereals, artificial preservatives and dyes, and you definitely won’t find high-quality dog food ingredients in them.
Currently already a number of manufacturers offer quality granules for dogs that contain all the necessary ingredients for the proper development of muscles, bones and fur. They give dogs the energy they need and are also very tasty.
What should good kibble for dogs contain?
- Min. 30% quality dried meat, not animal by-products
- Fruit and vegetable
- Beneficial oils and herbs
- Minerals and vitamins
What, on the other hand, can be revealed by low-quality dog kibble?
- High proportion of cereals
- By-products of animal origin (bones, skin, etc.)
- Artificial preservatives and colorings
- High salt content
BARF as a natural dog food – however, the transition should be gradual
BARF (from English Bones and Raw Food) or raw food has gained considerable popularity in recent years – it is about natural dog food. But that doesn’t mean you can go from kibble to BARF overnight. It is necessary to get used to the dog gradually, so that the digestive tract can get used to the change in the diet. Minimal the transition time should take 2 weeksin which you will be gradually replace dry feed with fresh ingredients.
Advantages and disadvantages of barf feeding
BARF is popular with owners and dogs for several reasons – you have fully in control of the quality of the served ingredients and at the same time you will achieve significantly better taste and variety, than in the case of feeding with dry pellets. You can tailor the composition of the fresh food according to the needs and health status of your dog (you need to have a certain overview of this type of food or consult with a veterinarian).
However, BARF also has several disadvantages – storing fresh meat is difficult (an extra freezer is useful), food preparation takes more time, and if you often travel with your dog, feeding fresh food can be very organizationally demanding.
What raw materials does BARF normally consist of?
- Fresh meat, offal, raw bones
- Vegetables and fruits are good for dogs
- Oils and herbs suitable for dogs
- Eggs, cottage cheese, yogurts
What definitely does not belong in BARF?
- Boiled bones (can cause serious health complications)
- Vegetables and fruits poisonous to dogs (avocado, grapes, garlic, etc.)
- Nuts, soy or grains
When switching to another food, monitor the dog’s physical and mental condition
Every time you change the feed – whether you switch to a different type of granules or to a raw diet – you need to monitor the dog’s health and mental condition. If If you notice shedding, intestinal problems or a change in mood, consult your veterinarian and together search the dog food menu for a way that will suit your dog best.
