Example of BARF or ACBA diet for puppies

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 24 January 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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raw dog food diet for beginners. What is the Barf diet?
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THE BARF diet for dogs (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), also known as ACBA (Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding), is one of the trends in dog feeding. The diet was developed by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst and began to become popular in the late 20th century after the book was published. "Give Your Dog a Bone".

The proposal of the diet is to use raw food without cooking it, with the argument that this is the healthiest food for domestic dogs. There are controversies, however, since an inadequately performed BARF diet can favor the transmission of parasites and pathologies, such as zoonoses.


In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain the BARF diet for dogs: what it is, which ingredients to use, quantities and precautions during preparation. At the end of the post you can also check out 5 healthy natural dog diet recipes to make at home easily.

BARF diet for dogs

The BARF diet for puppies is based on feeding domestic animals with totally raw products. The goal is to offer a diet that is as natural and close to what canids would have in their wild state. Pieces of meat, offal, organs, muscles, fleshy bones and eggs. Also included in moderate amounts are fruits and vegetables recommended for dogs.

BARF, therefore, complies with the a dog's nutritional needs, which is mainly based on the consumption of quality protein and fat. Fatty acids, minerals and vitamins are also needed.[1]


Even so, it has not been proven that dogs can fully assimilate the nutrients from raw fruits and vegetables. In fact, in the wild these foods are consumed by canids directly from the stomach of the prey, already half-digested. That's why many tutors prepare these ingredients in steam before offering them.

raw meat for dog

There are different lines of thought regarding raw meat in the dog diet. What needs to be taken into account is:

Advantages of raw meat for dogs

  • Puppies' stomachs are prepared to digest raw meat. In fact, this is what would a wild dog eat.
  • Dog food is mostly carnivorous. Even if they eat fruits and vegetables, these foods are consumed from the prey's stomach, when they are already half-digested.
  • Dogs' intestines are short, so there is no meat rot on them.
  • When eating raw food, dogs absorb more enzymes, vitamins and natural probiotics than if they were cooked or processed.

Disadvantages of raw meat for dogs

  • If the raw meat does not have a quality seal, the dog is liable to contract infections and parasites.
  • Not all dogs like raw meat, so in the end it will be the animal that will choose what to eat or not.
  • Some legends claim that "raw meat makes the dog more aggressive", this is completely false.

Benefits of the BARF diet for puppies

Raw food, with fresh and quality products, in fact, offers a superior nutritional benefit to cooked food or traditional kibble. Digestive enzymes increase bioavailability and simultaneously decrease the risk of heart disease by harnessing and releasing the maximum amount of energy from food. [2][3]


Even so, it is worth noting that raw dog food is not without risks. Performing them without guarantees can increase the risk of transmission of parasites and pathogens. That's why it's so important ensure the quality and origin of raw materials, always betting on organic livestock products with strict health certification. It is also advisable to freeze food first for safety's sake. [2][4][5]

And to ensure the dog's health and detect any health problems as soon as possible, it is advisable to carry out periodic veterinary visits every 2 or 3 months, as well as following the dog's vaccination schedule and periodic deworming.

In a survey, 98.7% of tutors considered their puppies healthier after starting the BARF diet for dogs. Among the benefits were: shinier fur, clean teeth, less bulky stools and a state of health and behavior positive overall. Likewise, they also considered that this food seemed to be more appetizing for the dogs, in addition to the satisfaction of being able to choose the products for their animals' diet. [6]

Foods that can be included in the BARF diet for dogs

Before designing the BARF diet menu for dogs, it is important to know what foods can be included. All of them must be of natural origin:

meat for dogs

Among the options for raw dog meat below, remember to always opt for quality, certified products, preferably from ecological agriculture. It is also important to freeze the meat before offering it to the dog.

  • beef steak
  • Beef breast tip
  • beef breast
  • beef neck
  • Chicken breast
  • Turkey breast
  • Duck breast
  • lamb loaf
  • ox carry
  • rabbit loin

Dog bones (raw and fleshy)

Raw bones for puppies are an excellent option for doses of . We can start by grinding the bones and, when the body is used to consuming these foods, we offer those parts and easier digestion, such as duck neck or chicken carcass, for example.

Later on, we will introduce new fleshy bones to the dog such as rabbit ribs or cow necks. Then, when the dog is memorized with these ingredients, we can include more complex and bulky ones, like turkey carcass. It is also advisable to freeze them:

  • beef cinnamon
  • rabbit ribs
  • rabbit thigh
  • lamb chops
  • Neck Of Peru
  • chicken neck
  • duck neck
  • rabbit neck
  • lamb neck
  • calf neck
  • lamb's tail
  • pork ribs
  • veal ribs
  • chicken tail
  • Chicken wings
  • chicken carcass
  • veal breast
  • turkey carcass
  • duck carcass
  • Chicken thigh

I never give your dog cooked bones, as splinters can be dangerous. In the BARF diet for puppies it is recommended to include only raw and fleshy puppies bones.

recreational bones for dogs

even though not part of the diet, they are a way to enrich entertainment, improve well-being and replace the dental snacks because they help to clean the dog's teeth in a natural way. It is very important that they are chewed well under supervision the first few times. It is also advisable to freeze them in advance:

  • beef trachea
  • pig femur
  • ox femur
  • beef knee brace
  • beef cane
  • beef scapula
  • bovine hip
  • Chicken leg
  • Pig's foot
  • Beef humerus
  • Oxtail

Viscera and organs for dogs

Another important aspect of the BARF diet for dogs is the organs and viscera, as they enter into a dog's nutritional needs in terms of proteins, fatty acids and vitamins. As in the previous cases, we must freeze before offering:

  • chicken stomach
  • rabbit brain
  • lamb heart
  • Chicken heart
  • ox heart
  • pig heart
  • cow heart
  • rabbit heart
  • Chicken gizzard
  • chicken liver
  • calf liver
  • beef kidney
  • chicken kidney
  • Bull's liver
  • ox spleen
  • rabbit lung
  • pig testicle
  • lamb testicle

dog fish

Fish is also a food of animal origin that should be included in the BARF diet for dogs. It is important to remove the thorns before offering it, as well as freezing it, as in the previous cases:

  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Sardine
  • Anchovies
  • Trout
  • Codfish
  • sea ​​bass
  • Emperor
  • Sole
  • hake

Seafood for dogs

As with fish, seafood can be a great source of protein and vitamins. Choose well the products to offer, they must always be fresh, washed and previously frozen:

  • Clams
  • Shrimp
  • Langostin
  • Lobster
  • mussels
  • Cockles

Vegetables and vegetables for dogs

Vegetables are also part of the BARF diet for dogs, although to a lesser extent than foods of animal origin. Some options you can use are:

  • Spinach
  • Carrot
  • Zucchini
  • Beet
  • Lettuce
  • Cabbage
  • Celery
  • Green bean
  • Peas
  • Bell pepper
  • Chard
  • Cucumber

dog fruit

Due to their high sugar content, fruits should be offered in moderation. The amount, which we will see in the following sections, is even smaller than that of vegetables:

  • Apple
  • Poop
  • blueberries
  • Pear
  • Papaya
  • Banana
  • Damascus
  • Peach
  • Strawberry
  • watermelon
  • Mango
  • Melon

Other BARF Diet Foods for Dogs

Some extra foods that can also be part of the ACBA diet for dogs, but that we weren't able to include in the previous sections are:

  • Chicken's egg
  • Quail eggs
  • kefir
  • Cottage cheese
  • Curd
  • Natural yogurt
  • Olive oil
  • Fish oil
  • Alfalfa
  • Seaweed
  • ground bone
  • brewer's yeast

These are just a few examples of foods that can be included in the BARF diet for puppies, however there are many more. The key to this diet is to provide our animals with a rich and varied diet that they enjoy.

For more food, see our post on dog food supplements.

BARF Diet Quantities for Dogs

Another important factor to consider is the quantities of BARF foods to be offered. It is most recommended to consult a veterinarian, as the specialist will be able to indicate the most appropriate foods and amounts, taking into account the age, health status, activity level and other factors.

However, in general, we can know what quantities to offer taking into account the daily kilocalories required by a healthy adult dog with an ideal body condition [7]:

  • 2 kg = 140 kcal/day
  • 3 kg = 190 kcal/day
  • 4 kg = 240 kcal/day
  • 5 kg = 280 kcal/day
  • 8 kg = 400 kcal/day
  • 10 kg = 470 kcal/day
  • 12 kg = 540 kcal/day
  • 15 kg = 640 kcal/day
  • 17 kg = 700 kcal/day
  • 20 kg = 790 kcal/day
  • 23 kg = 880 kcal/day
  • 25 kg = 940 kcal/day
  • 28 kg = 1020 kcal/day
  • 30 kg = 1080 kcal/day
  • 33 kg = 1160 kcal/day
  • 35 kg = 1210 kcal/day
  • 38 kg = 1290 kcal/day
  • 40 kg = 1340 kcal/day
  • 43 kg = 1410 kcal/day
  • 45 kg = 1460 kcal/day
  • 49 kg = 1560 kcal/day

How to introduce the BARF diet for puppies

Once the daily kilocalories that our dog needs are clarified, also considering the factors mentioned above, we can choose the most convenient ingredients for our dog's BARF diet. Likewise, when preparing the dish composition, we need to ensure a proportion that includes 50% meat and offal, 20% raw meaty bones, 20% fresh vegetables and 10% fruit.

Of course, these proportions are not definitive. In fact, there is no study that can guarantee generic amounts and percentages. Any dog ​​food or diet, even dry ones, should be tailor-made. In this regard, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian to guide and help to correctly prepare the quantities and doses to be offered.

BARF Feeding Recipes for Dogs

Next, we leave 5 examples of the BARF diet for dogs. s? If you're thinking about introducing your dog to raw meat consumption, you can try one of the following recipes. This way you will observe his acceptance and the time spent on his preparation.

You should take into account that, if your intention is to feed your dog raw food, you should consult the veterinarian first and check that the pet is in perfect physical condition. In addition, you should ask your veterinarian or nutritionist for some specific recommendations for your puppy.

The secret of the diet invented by German Ian Billinghurst is variety, so don't forget to mix different types of meat, fish and some fruits or vegetables. The following suggestions are designed for a healthy 30 kg dog in normal physical conditions:

1. BARF diet with chicken

Chicken meat stands out as one of the healthiest, containing almost no saturated fat. It is ideal for sedentary adult dogs as well as overweight dogs. Check out:

  • 250 grams of boneless chicken breast
  • 100 grams of chicken wings
  • 100 grams of chicken gizzards
  • 1 chicken neck (about 38 grams)
  • 1 big egg
  • 1 teaspoon of olive oil
  • 100 grams of beet
  • 50 grams of spinach
  • 1 medium apple (without seeds)

2. BARF diet with beef

In this case we are talking about lean meat with high nutritional value. Provides proteins, water, fat and minerals. It should be offered in a moderate way, as it is rich in cholesterol:

  • 200 grams of beef fillet
  • 100 grams of beef heart
  • 2 chopped beef ribs (about 170 grams)
  • 100 grams of kefir
  • 1 big carrot
  • 100 grams of green beans
  • 50 grams of coconut

3. BARF diet with duck

Duck meat is usually well accepted by dogs, but due to its high fat content, we should moderate its intake. We can offer it in a moderate way to puppies or dogs that do daily physical activity:

  • 250 grams of duck magret
  • 100 grams of duck carcass
  • 100 grams of duck liver
  • 50 grams of cottage cheese
  • 50 grams of brewer's yeast
  • 110 grams of cabbage
  • 1 small pear

4. BARF diet with lamb

Lamb is ideal for those dogs that have food allergies to chicken or other birds. It is also usually very well accepted:

  • 100 grams of lamb chop
  • 125 grams of lamb tongue
  • 100 grams of lamb brain
  • 100 grams of lamb testicles
  • 3 quail eggs
  • 1 sliced ​​cucumber (about 125 grams)
  • 1 celery stalk (about 30 grams)
  • 100 grams of wakame kelp
  • 1 medium banana

5. BARF diet with salmon

Salmon is one of the star fish in the dog's diet as it is rich in essential oils and offers many health benefits. Recommended for dogs of all ages, it also helps reduce the risk of heart disease and helps keep the cognitive system in shape, ideal for older puppies:

  • 300 grams of salmon
  • 150 grams of mussels
  • 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
  • 2 tablespoons of ground dog bone
  • 1 whole natural yogurt (approximately 125 grams)
  • 1 medium zucchini (about 100 grams)
  • 50 grams of green peas
  • 1 medium papaya (about 140 grams)

As you can see, we offer several options to prepare the menu and you can adapt them to your dog's preferences. Choose the foods that your dog likes the most and mix everything with great care. He is guaranteed to love it!

if your dog not used, we recommend that you include BARF in your life little by little, not all of a sudden. Also be especially careful with the bones, grinding in the chopper or asking the market to do it. You can also brown the meat a little in the pan without using oil or salt so that the dog accepts it better the first few times.

BARF diet for dogs, where to buy?

Since BARF diet is based on natural dog foods, you can buy them at any supermarket, that is, buying the ingredients separately and always checking that the food is of good quality. However, you can also find BARF ready-to-eat food in some places.ojas specialized in animals.

To avoid buying food in poor condition, another option is to buy a Frozen BARF diet, which you can keep in the freezer and defrost at the desired time to offer it to your dog. This way, you can buy different BARF dog diet menus and keep them.

If you want to read more articles similar to Example of BARF or ACBA diet for puppies, we recommend that you enter our Home Diets section.