Barfen or wet food? Which is healthier for dogs?
An increasingly popular diet trend is to barf your dog. But is feeding fresh meat healthier than conventional wet food from stores? We’ll tell you here.
For people who have literally gotten on the dog, nutrition is a sensitive topic. Barfen is a method of feeding his four-legged friend. But how does fresh meat feeding compare to commercial wet food?
Barfen: Advantages and disadvantages
Barfing involves feeding only unprocessed fresh meat and raw, preferably pureed, fruits and vegetables. The question of whether barfing is really healthier for dogs than classic wet food is a controversial one.
Advocates of this nutrition method refer to the fact that the feeding method corresponds to the origin of the dogs, because the wolves and other wild dog races nourish themselves in the same way.
Many proponents of the Barf method are of the opinion that the dogs can absorb the vitamins and minerals in meat, vegetables and Co. in raw form better than in cooked or otherwise processed food. Also, fresh meat feeding omits flavor enhancers and preservatives, which can be harmful. The credo in barfing: The purer the food for the dog, the better.
Dog owners can therefore better control what their four-legged friend actually eats. Barf is also said to be beneficial to the health of the dog’s teeth and coat. In addition, the food rations can be individually adapted to the dog.
But not everyone is so positive about the feeding method. Critics make Barfen for complaints in the gastrointestinal area and various deficiency symptoms responsible. Barfen is also more cost-intensive compared to other diets and the effort is greater. So dog owners should deal intensively with the topic and before Barfen also best consult a veterinarian.
And what about wet food for dogs?
Wet food: advantages and disadvantages
Similar to barfing, wet food provides dogs with a high proportion of protein. As the name already suggests, it is also characterized by a high liquid content. This can be an advantage, especially for dogs that drink very little, but it can also mean diarrhea for some dogs.
While raw meat can be quite tough, wet food has a rather soft consistency. This can be particularly beneficial for small breeds of dogs that only have a small set of teeth.
The disadvantage of wet food is clearly that wet food is heated compared to barf. This results in the loss of vitamins, which are added back in an artificial way. Also, some owners complain that their dogs stink more due to wet food.
Barfing or wet food: which is healthier?
There is no clear answer to this question. Both barfening and wet food have their advantages and disadvantages. The best option is to have your dog thoroughly checked out by a veterinarian and discuss with the medical professional what they would recommend for the animal.
However, if you do decide on barf as a diet, have your vet give you a detailed breakdown of what nutrients your four-legged friend needs and in what dosage, and make sure he gets them with every meal.
