Questions and answers
Unopened VON BARF food can be refrozen after defrosting, but it is not recommended. When food is repeatedly frozen, the ice crystals that form damage the cell membrane of the muscle fibers, and as a result, meat juice (in which peptides, amino acids, vitamins and minerals are dissolved) escapes from the cells - the so-called dripping meat. In this way, part of the nutrients is lost and the quality of the meal is reduced.
VON BARF food should not and should not be cooked, because cooking would lose a lot of its quality. Cooking food changes its physical and chemical properties. Proteins coagulate and become less biologically available, many amino acids are destroyed. Proteins altered by cooking are difficult to digest and often become the cause of allergies. In raw meat, active cell enzymes are responsible for breaking down complex cell structures and molecules (proteins, complex carbohydrates, fats) into their simple components (amino acids, simple carbohydrates, fatty acids) acceptable for absorption. The role of these enzymes in digestion is extremely important because it reduces the need for the body to secrete a large amount of its own enzymes to break down food. The most sensitive enzymes contained in raw food begin to be lost already at a temperature of 37 °C. Vitamins and minerals destroyed or changed by heat treatment cannot be added to food afterwards, without being as biologically available to the body as when the food is raw.
In the BARF food, the rumen from which the mucosa has not been removed is placed, because the cells of the mucosa contain enzymes and chlorophyll. And it is from chlorophyll (green plant pigment) that the mucous membrane is green-brown in color. Chlorophyll is the collective name for several different green pigments found in the chloroplasts of plants and algae. Chlorophyll plays a key role in the process of photosynthesis, enabling the absorption of solar energy. Hemoglobin, the blood pigment found in erythrocytes, and chlorophyll have almost identical biochemical structures. The only difference is that in hemoglobin the central atom is iron, and in chlorophyll magnesium. It is precisely because of this similarity that chlorophyll strongly influences the renewal of erythrocytes. The result is a better supply of oxygen to the body - the detoxification processes of the organism are accelerated, the control and destruction of malignant cells is more successful, the immune system is strengthened and the antimicrobial effect is enhanced. Chlorophyll is also capable of binding heavy metals, which can then be expelled from the body. In ruminants, including cattle, plant decomposition begins in the rumen, which is why we find a large amount of absorbed chlorophyll in its mucosa.
VON BARF STARTER is designed for dogs transitioning to raw food. It is intended for dogs of all ages and breeds in the first weeks (2–4 weeks) of switching to the BARF diet. It is not necessary to mix this food in the transitional period with the food that the dog was eating until then.
Beef meat, liver and rumen are the source of a sufficient amount of linoleic fatty acid, which is the only essential fatty acid for dogs, because dogs can synthesize linolenic and arachidonic fatty acids from linoleic acid, so they are not essential for him. Dogs get the ideal amounts of fatty acids they need from natural, thermally unprocessed fats, and there is no need to add any oils. It is important to emphasize that in raw, freshly frozen food, fatty acids are protected from oxidation and spoilage WITHOUT the addition of preservatives. Fats separated during industrial production, which includes heat treatment and subsequently added to food, are much more prone to spoilage, and for their protection it is necessary to use preservatives and stabilizers. Fats are thermolabile and melt when stored at an inappropriate temperature, and oxidize when unprotected from air. Fats treated in this way lose their nutritional value and become toxic.
VON BARF food must not be heated in a microwave oven. By raising the temperature to more than 42 °C, proteins begin to coagulate and cellular enzymes are destroyed. Minerals and vitamins contained in raw meat are destroyed by heating. The most sensitive enzymes contained in raw food begin to be lost already at a temperature of 37 °C.
VON BARF food can be stored in the freezer for 12 months from the date of production.
Raw meat is a much more acceptable form of protein for dogs than cooked or industrially processed meat. The meat we put in our products undergoes veterinary inspection and belongs to the category of meat suitable for human consumption. We purchase meat directly from the best quality meat suppliers. Hygiene and health compliance is continuously monitored by EUROINSPEKT CROATIAKONTROLA d.o.o., laboratory Zagreb.
The meat we put in our products undergoes veterinary inspection and belongs to the category of meat suitable for human consumption. Our products are prepared from fresh ingredients, packed in polyamide covers and frozen immediately afterwards. Hygiene and health compliance is continuously monitored by EUROINSPEKT CROATIAKONTROLA d.o.o., laboratory Zagreb.
Beef rumen (one of the pre-stomachs of cattle; tripe, fillets) is a rich source of enzymes, minerals (calcium and phosphorus), vitamins (choline) and fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic), and it also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus - a probiotic. Rumen proteins are extremely digestible, even more digestible than proteins contained in muscle tissue. In ruminants, including cattle, plant decomposition begins in the rumen, which is why we find a large amount of absorbed chlorophyll in its mucosa. Chlorophyll is a green plant pigment that has been found to accelerate the body's detoxification processes, has an antimicrobial effect, strengthens the immune system, affects the control and destruction of malignant cells, and has the ability to bind heavy metals. It has a positive effect on the healing of wounds, both on the surface of the skin and on the mucous membranes (a positive effect of chlorophyll on the healing of ulcers on the mucous membrane of the stomach has been established). This positive influence on the body is a consequence of the similarity of the chemical composition of chlorophyll and hemoglobin (blood pigment found in red blood cells - erythrocytes). The difference is only in the central atom, in chlorophyll it is magnesium, and in hemoglobin it is iron. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic, a bacterium that makes up the "good" microflora in the intestines. Probiotic helps to establish a balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria. The balance of intestinal microflora can be disturbed due to illness, stress, taking antibiotics and other drugs. Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important ally in the treatment of diarrhea, constipation and other disorders in the digestive system. Its positive influence on the disappearance of symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD - Inflammatory bowel disease) has been established. It synthesizes lactic acid, which adversely affects the growth of "bad" bacteria, and the antibiotic colicin, which adversely affects the growth of many bacteria and fungi. It has also been found to have a beneficial effect on strengthening the immune system, and as a result, it also helps control allergic reactions. It helps digestion (especially dairy foods) and plays a role in the process of vitamin B complex synthesis.
Raw food that contains a large percentage of water (naturally contained water in meat) has a positive effect on maintaining the body's hydration, and as a result, the body does not need to replenish water by drinking large amounts of water. Water is the most important nutrient in a dog's diet. A loss of 10% of the body's total amount of water causes serious illness, and 15% or more certain death. The need for the amount of water depends on the place where the dog stays (temperature), mental state and physical activity, state of health (diarrhea, lactation) and the type of food it eats. Dry food, with a high protein content, encourages the consumption of large amounts of water, which in the long term can lead to an excessive load on the kidneys and, consequently, their irreversible damage.
It is recommended to feed an adult, healthy dog once a day. But if the dog has been taught to eat several times a day, it is free to continue in that rhythm. Puppies, highly pregnant and lactating bitches and sick dogs are fed several times a day.
An occasional one-day fast can be beneficial for the body of an adult, healthy dog. During fasting, processes of detoxification and cleansing of the organism take place, the organism is renewed and strengthened.
Heavily pregnant and lactating bitches should be fed 30–50% more ration than the usual ration determined according to her weight and activity. It is usually forged in this stage of feeding several times a day.
With the transition to a new type of diet, vomiting may occur, but there is no reason to worry if the dog does not show any other signs of a general condition disorder. Vomiting for carnivores does not have to be an indication of illness. Sometimes a dog vomits food because the pieces of food it ate were too big, because of too much food or voracious eating. In order to prevent sudden swallowing of a large amount of food, it is preferable to squeeze smaller amounts of food out of the bag for the dog to eat bite by bite (the first few days of switching to the BARF diet). The cause of vomiting can be internal parasites. The garlic contained in VON BARF CLASSIC food kills the worms that are developing, while the adult worms are only "disturbed" by the garlic, which then causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. It is definitely recommended to clean the dog of parasites.
The amount of food needed for one meal should be left to thaw at room temperature or in lukewarm water. VON BARF food must never be exposed to high temperatures, cooked or defrosted in a microwave oven. The most sensitive enzymes contained in raw food begin to be lost already at a temperature of 37 °C. When the meal is tempered, you just need to open the bag and pour it into the feeding bowl. Food that has been in the refrigerator should also be warmed to room temperature before feeding. In order to prevent sudden swallowing of a large amount of food, it is preferable to squeeze smaller amounts of food out of the bag for the dog to eat bite by bite (the first few days of switching to the BARF diet).
Ground cartilage is a rich natural source of substances essential for joint health (glucosamine, chondroitin). Glucosamine is a proteoglycan (glucose + amino acid glutamine) that is found in high concentration in connective tissue: It is needed for the synthesis of larger molecules that keep the joints healthy, i.e. well lubricated and mobile. It is important in the therapy and prevention of joint injuries, osteoarthritis and other degenerative changes in the joints. Chondroitin is a complex carbohydrate found in the connective tissue of animals and humans. It ensures cartilage health through several mechanisms: binding to itself water molecules (creating synovial fluid that nourishes and lubricates joint cartilage and ligaments) blocking enzymes that damage cartilage stimulating the activity of chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to synthesize collagen and proteoglycans.
The size of the meal depends on the body weight, activity and age of the dog. The meal should be 2-5% of the body weight, for an adult, moderately active dog it is usually around 2% of the body weight. Puppies, bitches in high stages of pregnancy and lactation and very active dogs have higher nutritional needs. It should also be taken into account that dogs that live in the yard and are exposed to the cold have a greater need for nutrients than dogs that live in a house or apartment. Dogs that are under stress also have greater needs. Some dogs have a faster, some slower metabolism, some tend to eat something on the side, some are very picky, some are active all day, and some only on impulse. As all this affects the size of the meal, it is recommended to weigh the dog before starting BARF feeding and 2 to 3 weeks after. Depending on what you wanted to achieve (maintenance of body weight, weight loss, weight gain), the size of the meal should be adjusted.
In VON BARF, the bone is ground into a paste, so there is no risk of injury to the digestive system or intestinal blockage. Boiled bones should be avoided. By cooking, the bones become hard and break easily into sharp pieces. Raw bone has a more elastic consistency and does not tend to break into sharp pieces.
Stools covered in large amounts of mucus may occur when switching to the BARF diet. Generally there is no reason to worry, mucus is usually a sign that the body is being cleansed of accumulated harmful substances. Mucus can also be a sign of intestinal inflammation, especially if there are visible traces of blood in addition to the mucus. Then it is definitely necessary to visit a veterinarian. It can also be a sign of coccidiosis (a common parasite in puppies).
Bones are an optimal source of minerals for dogs. By digesting the bone, the body will take the necessary amount of minerals in a favorable ratio. An excess of minerals cannot occur in the body. Excess minerals in the form of undigested bone will be excreted by the dog in the stool. Bone is also very important as part of the diet in order for the stool to be of optimal consistency. The optimal stool consistency ensures natural emptying of the anal sacs and thus reduces the possibility of their inflammation.
In older dogs and dogs that have suffered from diarrhea for years or had softer stools, the muscle function of the intestines is weakened and it is difficult to push the contents that are of a harder consistency. Blood in the stool appears due to the reduced elasticity of the wall and the consequent rupture of the capillaries. A small amount of blood in the stool during the first days of transitioning to BARF is not a concern, but if the dog bleeds every day during defecation, it is definitely necessary to seek the advice of a veterinarian. The content of bone (in the form of bone paste) in VON BARF food makes the stool harder than when eating industrial or cooked food. A firmer consistency of the stool is essential in order to empty the anal sacs naturally. VON BARF STARTER is designed to help BARF "beginners" adapt to raw food. This formula is intended for dogs of all ages and breeds in the first weeks (2-4 weeks) of transitioning to a BARF diet. VON BARF STARTER differs from VON BARF CLASSIC in a small change in composition. The amount of ground bone is also reduced to prevent hard stools. There is no bone in VON BARF SENSITIV (which is ground into a paste in other products), so this food is recommended for dogs with extremely sensitive intestinal mucosa.
Garlic is added in a very small amount due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antibacterial effects.
VON BARF food is raw food without additives. The ingredients in wet dog food are cooked and most often numerous additives and preservatives are added. VON BARF food is freshly frozen and packed in polyamide covers in order to preserve the maximum freshness and quality of the product without the addition of preservatives and other additives. VON BARF dog food is an excellent source of high-quality proteins, rich in highly digestible essential fatty acids. There are no grains in VON BARF food - carbohydrates, which is why it is excellent for weight control.
BARF nutrition is rich in enzymes that are not found in thermally processed food, and they are extremely important for good food digestion. Beef tripe (tripe, fillets), which is an ingredient of VON BARF food, besides being a rich source of enzymes, is also a rich source of Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic, a bacterium that makes up the "good" microflora in the intestines. Probiotic helps to establish a balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria. The balance of intestinal microflora can be disturbed due to illness, stress, taking antibiotics and other drugs. Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important ally in the treatment of diarrhea, constipation and other disorders in the digestive system. Its positive influence on the disappearance of symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD - Inflammatory bowel disease) has been established. It synthesizes lactic acid, which adversely affects the growth of "bad" bacteria, and the antibiotic colicin, which adversely affects the growth of many bacteria and fungi. It helps digestion (especially dairy foods) and plays a role in the process of vitamin B complex synthesis. It has also been found to have a beneficial effect on strengthening the immune system, and as a result, it also helps control allergic reactions. Due to the bone content, the stool also becomes harder in consistency. Dogs that have a sensitive digestive system and that have a hard time adapting to a new diet should be given the opportunity to get used to the new food for a few days. When changing food, indigestion occurs due to the maladaptation of the digestive system (enzymes and intestinal microflora) to the new type of food. VON BARF SENSITIVE is an excellent choice for dogs that have problems with chronic diarrhea. It is recommended to feed the dog with this food for up to two weeks after the establishment of normal digestion, and then it is recommended to gradually switch to VON BARF STARTER.
Mixing BARF and industrially processed food is not recommended. Digesting a combination of raw and processed foods is extra burdensome for the body.
No, BARF must be tempered to room temperature. Frozen food can have a harmful effect on the digestive system.
VON BARF is a complete and balanced food, it contains all the necessary nutrients in the optimal amount and nothing needs to be added to it. The dog can only be fed this food. It is important to emphasize that all important nutrients in VON BARF food are naturally contained in food. Vitamins and minerals cannot be added to food afterwards, without being as biologically available to the body as when their source is raw food.
Cereals are not a quality source of vitamins, minerals and proteins for dogs. They can eat them, but in general, grains bring more harm than good to the body of a carnivore. As a food, cereals are a rich source of carbohydrates. Carnivores do not need carbohydrates because their liver can synthesize sufficient amounts of glucose from gluconeogenic amino acids (they are a source of protein) and glycerol (they are a source of fat). Cereals are a common cause of obesity and allergies in dogs.
VON BARF food does NOT contain the most common allergens - grains and additives. Crude proteins of animal origin, such as those found in VON BARF food, rarely cause allergies. The BARF diet has proven to be extremely successful in controlling allergies. The effect of such a diet is visible over a longer period of time because it strengthens the immune system and its ability to fight allergies. Sometimes the results are seen immediately, and sometimes it takes a longer period for the body to strengthen and start successfully controlling immune reactions.
It is intended for: older dogs dogs with impaired liver function dogs with impaired pancreas function dogs suffering from gastritis dogs suffering from allergies dogs prone to weight gain dogs in postoperative treatment VON BARF SENSITIVE is a low-protein food, especially rich in enzymes and extremely digestible.
VON BARF food is very suitable for dogs with obesity problems. Namely, obesity often occurs as a result of an inadequate ratio of proteins and energy. If the food contains a lot of carbohydrates and little protein, the animal, by consuming the amount of food it needs to meet its needs for protein and essential amino acids, will also consume a large amount of the carbohydrates found in that food. Excess carbohydrates will be converted into fat stores. In addition to the amount of proteins, their origin and digestibility are also important, poorly digestible proteins, poor in essential amino acids, will also turn into fat stores and increase food intake.
Garlic in small amounts is not dangerous for dogs - only large amounts of garlic can be toxic, and when we talk about large amounts, we are talking about more than 20 cloves of garlic per day for a medium-sized dog over a long period. Garlic in optimal quantities, as found in VON BARF products, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antibacterial effects.
Thawed VON BARF food can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Since it is raw food that has not been treated with preservatives, in contact with oxygen the processes of oxidation and decomposition of the meat begin under the influence of the enzymes contained in the meat. These processes are not a health hazard. For our products, we can guarantee that bacteria that could be harmful to animal and human health will not develop in the food during this period. When the meal is taken out of the refrigerator, it should be tempered to room temperature, and not immediately offered to the dog. Cold and frozen food has an adverse effect on the digestive system.