Transition from pellets or how to start barfing

There are multiple ways to transition from pellets to BARF. We will introduce you to the one that has proven the most for us - you simply switch to BARF overnight . Don't worry, it's not science.

How to start barfing: straight from day to day

Don't look for any complications in it. On Monday, your dog will receive pellets in his bowl, and on Tuesday you will immediately prepare his first dose of BARF. This method of transition has worked best for us, most dogs have no problem with it.

But it's good to know that you have to take the beginning of barfing very slowly. It takes about a month for the digestion to get used to the new way of eating. It is even less for puppies and young dogs. For dogs that have been fed kibble for almost their entire lives, the transition will take longer – their stomachs are simply used to a completely different type of food . Some sources state that the digestion time also varies. A dog digests pellets in more than 36 hours, BARF in less than a day.

When switching from kibble to BARF, expect to become a daily dog ​​poop analyzer . From those, you can best tell if the dog is satisfied with the food or not. At BARF, we also appreciate the fact that you don't need extra large bags to collect dog poop, because the waste is really minimal. You will also definitely appreciate that you will no longer be bothered by the crazy stench every time your dog defecates. Just so you don't stress, at the beginning of barfing it is completely normal for the dog to smell more liquid berries.

Don't forget food supplements with BARF

Sufficient minerals and vitamins in the right proportions do not always correspond to what the dog receives in the bowl every day (even a dog that eats pellets). That's why we came up with our Everyday balancer , which we put together with more than 900 barfarers. It contains everything a dog needs in an optimal ratio. It's our simple recipe for everyday barfing - raw meat, vegetables, a side dish, your favorite oil and a scoop of Everyday balancer. Barf is not difficult if you know what to add to the ration!

We also regularly include the Movement joint product for dogs for healthy and natural dog movement. You can find all accessories for BARF in the category: Accessories for BARF .

6 principles of BARF feeding

• The feed dose should correspond to roughly 2-3% of the dog's ideal weight (take a look at the article How to BARF , in which you will learn more).
• The ration consists of roughly 70% meat component (meat, bones, skin, offal) and 30% vegetables or side dishes.
• Add your favorite dog oil to each dose . Fats form the energy base for dogs, but there is not enough of them in meat. (Doubly so for canine athletes and heavy-duty dogs.)
• Pay attention to a balanced diet for weeks.
• He divided the feeding portion into morning and evening portions.
• Always thaw meat in the refrigerator. The meat should be at room temperature when served (always take it out of the fridge a little earlier).

CanisLab tip: What does a dog actually need to eat? We will tell you more in the article A large overview of vitamins and minerals for dogs .

How to start barfing: week one

For the first week, serve the dog light and lean meat - chicken (if your dog is allergic to chicken, avoid it even on BARF), turkey or lean fish (cod). First, serve minced meat or meat cut into smaller pieces. If the dog does not like raw meat very much, feel free to lightly cook the pieces or fry them in a pan. Thanks to the irresistible aroma of heat-processed meat, even the pickiest of dogs won't turn their noses up at the dish.

CanisLab tip: Salmon oil for dogs also works great for scenting our food (Salmon) , which no dog can really resist.

What vegetables for the first week? For the first few weeks, don't experiment too much in the choice of vegetables and possible side dishes. Try serving grated carrots first (ideally scald them with hot water) and possibly rice. Always grate or blend vegetables, mechanically processed ones are easier for the dog to process in the stomach.

Throughout the week, carefully record what meat and what side dish you gave your dog , and try to avoid pre-mixed bags of BARF from the beginning. It also worked for us to give the same type of meat and vegetables every 3 days. If by chance any digestive problems arise, you immediately know which ingredients caused them.

CanisLab tip: What helps with diarrhea in dogs ? We always have a pack of our Poop Good dog charcoal in our home medicine cabinet . It contains a mixture of black coal, zeolite and other substances that will help calm digestion.

How to start barfing: week two

Everything is okay? Then, in the second week, include other types of leaner meat - rabbit, lamb or veal, and even tender beef . In addition to carrots, try spinach, beetroot, root vegetables and various types of salads and leafy greens. You can add steamed flakes, millet or buckwheat as a side dish.

CanisLab TIP: Don't you want to grate vegetables every day? Try our dried vegetables for dogs Vegáč . You measure, cover with hot water, leave on the kitchen counter for a while and serve. It contains popular vegetables, herbs, but also cold-pressed hemp oil.

How to start barfing: week three

It's time to add fattier types of meat. Pork, pork, fatter beef, salmon or tuna and also the popular unwashed tripe . In the third week, offer your dog the first meaty bones, ideally choose softer chicken: chicken wings and chicken necks, or skeletons. If you don't want to serve the bones whole, don't forget to buy ground meat, in which ground bones are also mixed.

Feel free to combine vegetables and side dishes according to what the dog eats.

How to start barfing: week four

Yay, you've successfully switched from pellets to BARF. In the fourth week, you can offer your dog all kinds of offal – stomachs, kidneys, liver . We just warn you in advance that some dogs completely refuse to eat offal. If your dog refuses intestines, focus closely onfood supplements for dogs .