BARF cat food: benefits and tips

Have you ever thought about feeding your cat raw meat?
Many cat owners are unsure whether this type of diet is healthy and safe.

BARF stands for "biologically appropriate raw feeding" and offers a natural nutritional alternative that you can tailor exactly to your cat's needs.
In this article, you will learn all about the benefits, possible risks and practical tips on how to successfully and safely switch your cat to BARF.

What is BARF? Basics of biologically appropriate raw feeding

BARF stands for "biologically appropriate raw feeding" and is a feeding method that aims to provide cats and dogs with a diet that is similar to their natural food composition. The idea is that the animals are fed raw meat, bones and offal to mimic the diet of their wild ancestors. This is intended to ensure a species-appropriate and natural diet that is rich in proteins and other important nutrients.

With the BARF diet, special emphasis is placed on ensuring that all ingredients are fresh and of good quality. Here are some important points that should be considered when composing the BARF meals:

• The basis is raw muscle meat , which makes up about 60-80% of the meal.
• The muscle meat is supplemented by bones and offal such as heart and liver, which provide essential nutrients such as calcium and iron.
• Fats and oils should also not be missing to meet the cat's energy needs and keep its coat healthy.

This composition helps to provide a balanced and nutrient-rich meal that supports your cat's health and well-being.

The Benefits of BARF Nutrition for Your Cat

One of the main benefits of the BARF diet is that it is very close to the natural diet of cats. By feeding your cat BARF, you are providing them with a diet rich in fresh, unprocessed ingredients. This can lead to better digestion and optimal nutrient absorption. Additionally, BARF can help your cat maintain a healthy weight, as raw meat has fewer calories than processed food, but is still very nutritious.

The health benefits of BARF for cats also include improved skin and coat health. Many cat owners report that their cats' coats become shinier and softer after switching to BARF. In addition, the BARF diet can contribute to dental health as chewing raw meat helps reduce tartar and plaque. Here are some points that illustrate this:

• Better skin and coat condition.
• Reducing dental problems through natural chewing.
• Promoting a healthy weight.

Possible risks and disadvantages of BARF

BARF, i.e. feeding raw meat, can involve some risks. One major problem is the risk of infections . Raw meat products can be contaminated with bacteria such as salmonella or parasites such as worm eggs. These can be dangerous not only for your cat, but also for you and your family if you handle the raw meat. It is therefore important to use high-quality meat products and to adhere to strict hygiene standards.

Another risk with raw feeding is over- or under-supplying nutrients . Cats need a balanced diet that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Finding the right balance can be difficult, especially without the advice of a pet nutritionist. Too much of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, can lead to health problems, while a deficiency in others, such as taurine, can cause serious eye and heart disease.

Tips for beginners: How to feed your cat raw food properly

When you start BARFing, it is important to approach it gradually. Start with a small amount of raw meat mixed into your cat's usual food. Slowly increase the amount of BARF food over several weeks. This gives your cat time to get used to the new diet and minimizes digestive problems. Make sure that the meat is always fresh and of high quality. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Choose trusted sources for raw meat.
• Make sure the meat is stored and processed correctly .
• Start with easily digestible meats like chicken or turkey.

In addition to choosing the right meat, it is also important that you add the right supplements to ensure a balanced diet. Cats need various vitamins, minerals and especially taurine, which is essential for their heart health. You can buy special BARF supplements or consult with a pet nutritionist to make sure your cat is getting all the nutrients they need. Here are some additional tips:

• Include meat bones and organ meats (such as liver) to meet calcium and iron needs.
• Add oils to meet your cat's energy needs and keep her coat healthy.
• Check your cat's weight regularly to make sure he or she is not over- or undernourished.

Recipe ideas for your cat's BARF diet

If you are looking for recipe ideas for your cat's BARF diet, it is important to find a good balance between meat, vegetables and necessary additives. A simple base could consist of 80% fresh meat, 10% offal (such as liver and kidneys) and 10% bones. Here are some ideas to make the meals varied:

• Chicken and carrots : Mix ground chicken with finely pureed carrots.
• Beef and zucchini : Combine ground beef with finely grated zucchini.
• Lamb and apples : Offer your cat ground lamb with an apple that has been mashed.

In addition to meat and vegetables, you can supplement your meals with various additives to provide all the necessary nutrients. Some important additives are:

• Taurine : essential for heart health, often found in heart meat.
• Vitamins A and D : can be obtained through liver and egg yolk.
• Fish oil : for omega-3 fatty acids that keep the coat healthy and reduce inflammation. These combinations ensure that your cat receives a balanced and healthy diet that promotes their well-being and meets their natural nutritional needs.

Amount of food when BARFing: How much and how often?

The amount of food you give your cat when BARFing depends greatly on individual factors such as age, weight, activity and health. In general, an adult cat should receive about 2 to 3 percent of its body weight in raw food every day. For a cat that weighs 5 kilograms, this means about 100 to 150 grams of raw meat per day. This amount should be divided into two meals to optimize digestion and spread the feeling of satiety over the day.

Frequency of feeding also plays an important role in raw feeding. It is recommended that cats be fed twice a day to ensure even energy distribution and avoid overeating. However, young or very active cats may require more frequent and smaller meals. Be sure to monitor your cat's response to feeding times and adjust as needed to best support their health and well-being.

Taurine in the BARF diet: Important for cat health

Taurine is an essential nutrient that should not be missing from the BARF diet for cats. It supports numerous important functions in the cat's body, such as heart health and eye function. In nature, cats absorb taurine primarily by eating small prey that is rich in this important nutrient. When switching to BARF, it is therefore important to ensure that the food contains enough taurine to avoid deficiency symptoms.

Taurine is naturally found in many types of meat used in the BARF diet. The following are particularly rich in taurine:

• heart meat
• Dark meat of poultry
• Fish, especially shellfish such as mussels

These ingredients can help meet your cat's taurine needs naturally. However, it is important to monitor the amount of taurine given, as too little intake can lead to health problems.

Switching to BARF: A gentle transition for your cat

A gradual transition to BARF is the gentlest for your cat. Start by replacing about 20 percent of the conventional food with raw meat. This will help your cat to slowly get used to the new type of food and minimize digestive problems. At first, choose easily digestible types of meat such as chicken or turkey, as these are usually well accepted.

During the transition, carefully observe your cat's behavior and digestion. If everything goes well, you can gradually increase the amount of raw meat. The goal is to switch completely to BARF over a period of several weeks. Make sure that the meat is always fresh and of high quality to minimize health risks.

Raw meat for cats: what is suitable?

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right raw meat for your cat's BARF diet. Muscle meat and offal such as heart and liver are particularly safe and suitable , as they are rich in important nutrients. The following types of meat are particularly suitable:

• Chicken because it is easily digestible
• Beef, rich in iron and proteins
• Rabbit, an excellent source of vitamin B12

However, it is important to avoid certain types of meat. You should avoid pork as it can contain viruses that are dangerous for cats. The correct preparation of the meat also plays a major role. Raw meat must always be fresh and should be obtained from trustworthy sources to ensure safety. Make sure that the meat has not been heated as heated bones can splinter and harm your cat.

Important additives in the BARF diet for cats

In the BARF diet for cats, it is crucial that you not only feed raw meat, but also add important supplements to ensure a balanced diet. These supplements include vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients that are often not present in sufficient quantities in raw meat alone. In particular, taurine, a nutrient essential for cats, often has to be given additionally because cats cannot produce it themselves.

In addition to taurine, other additives are also important to avoid deficiencies and support your cat's health:

• Vitamins such as vitamin A and D, found in liver and egg yolk, are important for the immune system and bone health.
• Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus contained in bone meal promote the development of strong bones and teeth.
• Fatty acids found in fish oils and special BARF oils support healthy skin and a shiny coat.

These supplements help complete your cat's diet and ensure he or she gets all the nutrients he or she needs.

Keep your home clean with Flappie while you feed your cat raw food

While feeding your cat using the BARF method, they may instinctively bring home prey. This is not only unhygienic, but can also affect the cleanliness of your home. This is where Flappie comes in. Flappie 's smart cat flap uses AI technology to detect if your cat is coming home with prey and prevent it from entering. This keeps your home clean and free of unwanted "gifts".

The advantages of the Flappie cat flap are clear: selective access control that prevents cats from entering with prey and prey detection by camera with AI technology. In addition, the Flappie app offers the possibility to control the flap and inform you about your cat's behavior. Visit flappie.ch to find out more about how Flappie can improve living with your cat while you feed it according to the BARF method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BARF good for cats?

Yes, the BARF diet can be very beneficial for cats as it provides a natural nutritional alternative rich in fresh, unprocessed ingredients. This can lead to better digestion, optimal nutrient absorption, a healthy weight and improved skin and coat health.

How much BARF per day for cats?

An adult cat should receive about 2 to 3 percent of its body weight in raw food every day. For a cat that weighs 5 kilograms, this means about 100 to 150 grams of raw meat per day. This amount should be divided into two meals.

What can you feed cats raw?

You can feed your cat raw muscle meat, bones and organ meats such as heart and liver. Suitable meats include chicken, beef and rabbit. It is important to avoid pork and to make sure the meat is fresh and from trusted sources.

Should you give cats raw meat?

Feeding raw meat through the BARF method can be beneficial for cats as it is close to their natural diet and offers health benefits such as improved digestion and coat health. However, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the meat and maintain hygiene standards to minimize risks.