Von BARF is a complete and balanced food, it contains the optimal amount of all the necessary nutrients and nothing needs to be added to it. This food can be fed exclusively.
It is important to emphasize that all the important nutrients in VON BARF are naturally contained in the ingredients. Vitamins and minerals cannot be added to the food subsequently, and be equally bioavailable to the body as when they come from raw food.
Raw meat is a much more acceptable form of protein for dogs than cooked or processed meat.
The meat we use in our products undergoes a veterinary inspection and is classified as human grade. We purchase the meat directly from the best meat suppliers.
VON BARF does not have to and should not be cooked because that would significantly degrade its quality. Cooking food changes its physical and chemical properties. Proteins coagulate and become less bioavailable, many amino acids are destroyed. Cooked proteins are difficult to digest and often become the cause of allergies.
Active cellular enzymes in raw meat are responsible for the breakdown of 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 is extremely important for digestion because they reduce the body’s need to produce a large amount of its own digestive enzymes.
Vitamins and minerals destroyed or altered during industrial thermal treatment cannot be added to the food subsequently, and be equally bioavailable to the organism, as is the case with raw food.
VON BARF STARTER is formulated for dogs switching to raw food. It is intended for dogs of all ages and breeds in the first few weeks (2-4 weeks) of transition to a BARF diet.
During this transitional period, this food does not have to be mixed with the one dog has eaten before.
It is intended for:
- older dogs
- dogs with abnormal liver function
- dogs with abnormal pancreatic function
- dogs suffering from gastritis
- dogs suffering from allergies
- dogs prone to weight gain
- dogs in the postoperative recovery
VON BARF SENSITIVE is a low-protein food, rich in enzymes and highly digestible.
Switching to a new type of diet can cause vomiting, but there is no reason to worry if the dog does not show any other signs of disturbance of the general condition. Vomiting may not be an indicator of disease in carnivores. Sometimes a dog can vomit because the pieces of food were too big, due to a large amount of food or voracious eating.
To prevent rapid eating of a large amount of food, it is preferable to squeeze out smaller amounts of food from the bag so the dog could eat it bit by bit (in the first few days of switching to VON BARF diet).
Internal parasites can also cause vomiting. Garlic in VON BARF CLASSIC kills larvae of intestinal parasites, while it only “disturbs“ adult intestinal parasites, which in turn causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. It is recommended to deworm your dog.
In small amounts, garlic is not toxic to dogs – only large amounts of garlic can be toxic, and large amounts means more than 20 cloves of garlic a day for a medium-sized dog for an extended period of time.
Garlic, in optimal amounts, such as the ones in VON BARF products, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and antibacterial properties.
Bones are the best source of minerals for dogs. By digesting bones, the body will absorb the necessary amount of minerals in a favourable ratio. Excess of minerals in the body is not possible. Dogs will absorb the minerals they need, and the rest will be excreted in the stool.
Bones are also important part of the diet in achieving an optimal stool consistency. The optimal stool consistency supports the natural emptying of anal glands and in that way minimizes the possibility of anal sacculitis.
VON BARF is very suitable for dogs with weight problems.
Obesity, in fact, often occurs as a result of an inadequate ratio of proteins and energy. If the food contains a lot of carbohydrates and not enough proteins, in order to meet their needs for protein and essential amino acids, animals will end up eating larger amounts of food, which also means a lot of carbohydrates. The excess of carbohydrates will turn into body fat. Besides the amount of proteins, their origin and digestibility are also important, because poorly digestible proteins, low in essential amino acids, will also turn into body fat and increase food intake.
VON BARF DOES NOT CONTAIN the most common allergens – grains and additives.
Crude protein of animal origin, such as the one in VON BARF, rarely causes allergies.
BARF proved extremely successful in controlling allergies as well. The effects of this diet can be seen over a longer period of time, because it boosts the immune system and its ability to fight allergies. Sometimes the results are immediately visible, and sometimes it takes more time for the body to strengthen and start controlling the immune response successfully.
BARF diet is rich in enzymes that are not contained in thermally processed food, and which are extremely important for good digestion.
Beef tripe, as one of the ingredients in VON BARF, is rich in enzymes and probiotics, as well as in Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic, bacteria responsible for “good“ microflora in the gastrointestinal tract. This probiotic helps to establish a balance between “good“ and “bad“ bacteria. The balance of intestinal microflora can be upset by a disease, stress, antibiotics and other drugs. Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important ally in the treatment of diarrhoea, constipation and other disorders of the digestive system. It can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It synthesizes lactic acid, which adversely affects the growth of “bad“ bacteria, as well as colicin, which adversely affects the growth of many bacteria and fungi. It helps with the digestion (especially of dairy products) and plays a role in the synthesis of vitamin B complex. It helps in strengthening the immune system, and consequently in controlling allergic reactions.
VON BARF does not contain substances (certain types of crude fibre) that would retain water in the intestines with their osmotic activity.
Due to the bone content, stool is also of a more solid consistency.
Dogs with a sensitive digestive system and who have a hard time adapting to a new diet should be given a chance to get used to the new food over the course of several days. Changing food can cause digestive problems because the digestive system (enzymes and intestinal microflora) is not used to the new food.
VON BARF SENSITIVE is an excellent choice for dogs suffering from chronic diarrhoea. It is recommended to feed this food up to two weeks after the restoration of normal digestion, and then to gradually switch to VON BARF SENSITIVE.
Meal size depends on dog’s weight, activity and age. The recommended amount for feeding is 2-5% of dog’s body weight per day; for an adult, moderately active dog this is usually 2% of their body weight.
Puppies, pregnant and lactating female dogs, as well as very active dogs have higher nutritional requirements.
It should also be taken into account that dogs living outside, exposed to low temperatures, have higher nutritional requirements than the dogs living in houses or apartments. Dogs under stress also have higher nutritional needs. Some dogs have faster, some slower metabolism, some are inclined to eat something on the side, some are very picky, some are active all day long, and some are somewhat lazy.
Since all this affects the meal size, it is recommended to weigh the dog before switching to BARF and 2 to 3 weeks after. Depending on what you want to achieve (maintain the same weight, weight loss, weight increase), adjust serving size accordingly.
The amount of food needed for one meal should be thawed at room temperature or in warm water. VON BARF must not be exposed to high temperatures, cooked or defrosted in the microwave. The most sensitive enzymes in raw food are lost already at the temperature of 37 °C.
When the food reaches room temperature, just open the bag and put the food in the bowl.
Also, when taken out of the fridge, food should be served only after it reaches room temperature.
To prevent rapid eating of a large amount of food, it is advisable to squeeze out smaller amounts of food from the bag so the dog can eat it bit by bit (in the first couple of days when switching to BARF).
It is recommended to feed an adult, healthy dog, once a day. However, if a dog is used to eat several times a day, you can freely continue feeding in the same way.
Puppies, pregnant and lactating female dogs, as well as dogs with health problems, should be fed several times a day.
Pregnant and lactating female dogs should be fed 30-50% more than the usual amount of food determined in accordance with their weight and activity. During this period, female dogs are usually fed several times a day.
No, BARF must be left to thaw at room temperature. Frozen food can have an adverse effect on the digestive system
VON BARF must not be heated in a microwave. Raising the temperature to more than 42 °C causes proteins to coagulate and destroys cellular enzymes. Heating destroys minerals and vitamins in raw meat.
In VON BARF bone is ground into a paste, so there is no risk of injury to the gastrointestinal system or bowel obstruction.
One should avoid giving cooked bones to a dog. By cooking, bones become hard and brittle, and they may splinter. Raw bones are more elastic and they are not prone to splinter.
VON BARF is raw food without additives. Ingredients in wet dog food are cooked and usually mixed with many additives and preservatives.
VON BARF dog food is an excellent choice of high-quality proteins, rich in essential, highly digestible fatty acids. VON BARF does not contain grain – carbohydrates, and it is therefore excellent for weight control.
Mixing BARF with processed food is not recommended. It is more difficult for the body to digest the combination of raw and processed food.
Grains are not a quality source of vitamins, minerals and proteins for dogs. They can eat them, but in general, grains can do more harm than good to a carnivorous organism.
Grains are a rich source of carbohydrates. Carnivores do not need carbohydrates because their liver can synthesize sufficient amounts of glucose from glucogenic amino acids (from proteins) and glycerol (from fat).
Grains are often the cause of obesity and allergies in dogs.
Beef, liver and rumen are a sufficient source of linoleic fatty acid, which is the only essential fatty acid for dogs, because dogs can synthesize alpha-linoleic and arachidonic acid from linoleic acid, therefore – they are not essential to them.
Dogs can get ideal amounts of necessary fatty acids from natural fats, thermally non-processed, so there is no need to add any oil to the food.
It is important to emphasize that in raw, fresh frozen food, fatty acids are protected from oxidation and spoilage WITHOUT adding preservatives.
Fats extracted during industrial production, which includes thermal treatment, and subsequently added to food, are much more prone to deterioration, so preservatives and stabilizers are necessarily used to preserve them. Fats are thermo-sensitive and melt when kept at an inappropriate temperature, and unprotected and exposed to air, they oxidize. In this way fats lose their nutritional value and become toxic.
Occasional, one-day fast can be beneficial for an adult, healthy dog.
During fasting the body goes through a process of detoxification and purification, becomes renewed and strengthened.
Bovine rumen (one of the chambers of a cow’s stomach; green tripe) is a rich source of enzymes, minerals (calcium and phosphorus), vitamins (choline) and fatty acids (linoleic and alpha-linoleic), and it also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus – a probiotic.
Proteins in rumen are easily digestible, even more than proteins in muscle tissue.
Plant degradation in ruminants, which also include cattle, begins in bovine, and this is the reason its mucosa contains large amounts of absorbed chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is a green plant pigment, which enhances the body’s detoxification process, has antimicrobial properties, strengthens the immune system, plays a role in the control and destruction of malignant cells and has the ability to bind heavy metals. It has a positive effect on wound healing, both on the skin and on mucous membranes (it has been proven that chlorophyll has a positive effect on the healing of peptic ulcer). This positive effect on the body is the result of the chemical similarity between chlorophyll and haemoglobin (blood pigment contained in red blood cells – erythrocytes). The only difference is in their central atom, in chlorophyll this is magnesium, and in haemoglobin iron.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic, bacteria responsible for “good“ microflora in the gastrointestinal tract. This probiotic helps to establish a balance between “good“ and “bad“ bacteria. Disease, stress, antibiotics and other drugs can upset the balance of intestinal microflora.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important ally in the treatment of diarrhoea, constipation and other disorders of the digestive system. It can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It synthesizes lactic acid, which adversely affects the growth of “bad“ bacteria, as well as colicin, which adversely affects the growth of many bacteria and fungi. It helps in strengthening the immune system, and consequently in controlling allergic reactions.
It helps with the digestion (especially of dairy products) and plays a role in the synthesis of vitamin B complex.
Ground cartilage is a rich natural source of substances important for good joint health (glucosamine, chondroitin).
The glucosamine is a proteoglycan (glucose + amino acid glutamine), which is highly concentrated in connective tissue:
- It is needed for the synthesis of larger molecules that keep joints healthy, i.e. well lubricated and mobile.
- It is important in the therapy and prevention of joint injuries, osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint changes.
Chondroitin is a complex carbohydrate found in human and animal connective tissue. It keeps the cartilage healthy through several mechanisms:
- by binding water molecules (the creation of synovial fluid that feeds and lubricates joint cartilage and ligaments)
- by blocking enzymes that break down cartilage
- by encouraging chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to synthesize collagen and proteoglycan.
Garlic is added in very small amounts due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and antibacterial properties.
VON BARF can be kept in the freezer for 12 months.
Once defrosted VON BARF can be kept in the refrigerator for 24 h.
Since this is a raw food that has not been treated with preservatives, contact with oxygen triggers the processes of oxidation and decomposition of meat under the influence of enzymes in the meat. These processes do not pose a health hazard.
We can guarantee that no bacteria that could harm the health of people or animals will develop in our products during that period.
When taken out of the fridge, food should be served only after it reaches room temperature, and not right away. Frozen and cold food can have an adverse effect on the digestive system.
Unopened VON BARF food can be refrozen after thawing, but this is not recommended.
When food is refrozen, ice crystals formed that way damage the cell membrane of muscle tissue, and that causes the meat to leak juices (with dissolved peptides, amino acids, vitamins and minerals) – the so called meat dripping. In this way some of the nutrients are lost, which reduces the quality of food.
Stool covered in a large amount of mucus may occur when switching to a BARF diet. In general, there is no reason for concern; mucus is usually a sign that the body is detoxifying.
Mucus can also be the sign of bowel inflammation, especially if there are also traces of blood in it. Then it is definitely time to visit the vet. This can also be the sign of coccidiosis (a common parasite in puppies).
BARF contains bovine rumen with the mucous membrane, because the mucous membrane cells contain enzymes and chlorophyll. And chlorophyll (green plant pigment) is what gives the mucous membrane this greenish-brown colour.
Chlorophyll is the common name of several different green pigments found in the chloroplasts of plants and algae. Chlorophyll plays a key role in the process of photosynthesis; it enables the absorption of solar energy.
Haemoglobin, the blood pigment in the red blood cells, has nearly identical biochemical properties as chlorophyll. The only difference is that the central atom in haemoglobin is iron, and in chlorophyll magnesium.
Precisely due to this similarity, chlorophyll strongly influences the renewal of red blood cells. The result is an increased body’s oxygen supply – detoxification processes are accelerated, control and destruction of malignant cells is more successful, the immune system is strengthened and antimicrobial resistance is increased. Chlorophyll also has the ability to bind heavy metals, which can then be eliminated from the body.
In ruminants, which also include cattle, plant degradation begins in bovine, and that is the reason its mucosa contains large amounts of absorbed chlorophyll.
In older dogs, who have suffered from diarrhoea or had softer stool for years, the muscles of the intestines are weakened and cannot pass a hardened stool. Blood can appear in stool due to the decreased elasticity of the bowel wall, which results in rupture of capillaries. Small amount of blood in stool in the first couple of days after switching to BARF is not alarming, but if the dog bleeds every day during a bowel movement, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
The bone content (in the form of bone paste) in VON BARF makes the stool harder than when fed with processed or cooked food. Harder stool is important for natural emptying of anal glands.
VON BARF STARTER is formulated for BARF “beginners“ so that they could adapt to raw food. This formula is intended for dogs of all ages and breeds in the first few weeks (2-4 weeks) of switching to a BARF diet.
The ingredients in VON BARF STARTER are slightly different that the ones in VON BARF CLASSIC. The content of ground bone is reduced to prevent hard stool. This formula does not contain garlic, since garlic can cause nausea and vomiting in dogs with internal parasites. Therefore, it is highly recommended to deworm your dog before switching to a BARF diet.
VON BARF SENSITIVE has no bones (which is ground into a paste in other products) so this food is recommended for dogs with a very sensitive intestinal mucosa.
Raw food, which contains a large percentage of water (a natural part of meat), has a positive effect on the body hydration, and consequently, the body does not need to replace water by an increased water intake.
Water is the most important nutrient in dog’s diet. The loss of 10% of the total volume of water in the body causes serious illnesses, and 15% and more causes certain death. The amount of water a dog needs depends on where the dog lives (temperature), mental state and physical activity, health status (diarrhoea, lactation) and on the type of diet.
Dry food, with high protein content, encourages large water intake, which, in the long run, can strain the kidneys and cause an irreversible damage.
Von BARF is a complete and balanced food, it contains the optimal amount of all the necessary nutrients and nothing needs to be added to it. This food can be fed exclusively.
It is important to emphasize that all the important nutrients in VON BARF are naturally contained in the ingredients. Vitamins and minerals cannot be added to the food subsequently, and be equally bioavailable to the body as when they come from raw food.
Raw meat is a much more acceptable form of protein for dogs than cooked or processed meat.
The meat we use in our products undergoes a veterinary inspection and is classified as human grade. We purchase the meat directly from the best meat suppliers.
VON BARF does not have to and should not be cooked because that would significantly degrade its quality. Cooking food changes its physical and chemical properties. Proteins coagulate and become less bioavailable, many amino acids are destroyed. Cooked proteins are difficult to digest and often become the cause of allergies.
Active cellular enzymes in raw meat are responsible for the breakdown of 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 is extremely important for digestion because they reduce the body’s need to produce a large amount of its own digestive enzymes.
Vitamins and minerals destroyed or altered during industrial thermal treatment cannot be added to the food subsequently, and be equally bioavailable to the organism, as is the case with raw food.
VON BARF STARTER is formulated for dogs switching to raw food. It is intended for dogs of all ages and breeds in the first few weeks (2-4 weeks) of transition to a BARF diet.
During this transitional period, this food does not have to be mixed with the one dog has eaten before.
It is intended for:
- older dogs
- dogs with abnormal liver function
- dogs with abnormal pancreatic function
- dogs suffering from gastritis
- dogs suffering from allergies
- dogs prone to weight gain
- dogs in the postoperative recovery
VON BARF SENSITIVE is a low-protein food, rich in enzymes and highly digestible.
Switching to a new type of diet can cause vomiting, but there is no reason to worry if the dog does not show any other signs of disturbance of the general condition. Vomiting may not be an indicator of disease in carnivores. Sometimes a dog can vomit because the pieces of food were too big, due to a large amount of food or voracious eating.
To prevent rapid eating of a large amount of food, it is preferable to squeeze out smaller amounts of food from the bag so the dog could eat it bit by bit (in the first few days of switching to VON BARF diet).
Internal parasites can also cause vomiting. Garlic in VON BARF CLASSIC kills larvae of intestinal parasites, while it only “disturbs“ adult intestinal parasites, which in turn causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. It is recommended to deworm your dog.
In small amounts, garlic is not toxic to dogs – only large amounts of garlic can be toxic, and large amounts means more than 20 cloves of garlic a day for a medium-sized dog for an extended period of time.
Garlic, in optimal amounts, such as the ones in VON BARF products, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and antibacterial properties.
Bones are the best source of minerals for dogs. By digesting bones, the body will absorb the necessary amount of minerals in a favourable ratio. Excess of minerals in the body is not possible. Dogs will absorb the minerals they need, and the rest will be excreted in the stool.
Bones are also important part of the diet in achieving an optimal stool consistency. The optimal stool consistency supports the natural emptying of anal glands and in that way minimizes the possibility of anal sacculitis.
VON BARF is very suitable for dogs with weight problems.
Obesity, in fact, often occurs as a result of an inadequate ratio of proteins and energy. If the food contains a lot of carbohydrates and not enough proteins, in order to meet their needs for protein and essential amino acids, animals will end up eating larger amounts of food, which also means a lot of carbohydrates. The excess of carbohydrates will turn into body fat. Besides the amount of proteins, their origin and digestibility are also important, because poorly digestible proteins, low in essential amino acids, will also turn into body fat and increase food intake.
VON BARF DOES NOT CONTAIN the most common allergens – grains and additives.
Crude protein of animal origin, such as the one in VON BARF, rarely causes allergies.
BARF proved extremely successful in controlling allergies as well. The effects of this diet can be seen over a longer period of time, because it boosts the immune system and its ability to fight allergies. Sometimes the results are immediately visible, and sometimes it takes more time for the body to strengthen and start controlling the immune response successfully.
BARF diet is rich in enzymes that are not contained in thermally processed food, and which are extremely important for good digestion.
Beef tripe, as one of the ingredients in VON BARF, is rich in enzymes and probiotics, as well as in Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic, bacteria responsible for “good“ microflora in the gastrointestinal tract. This probiotic helps to establish a balance between “good“ and “bad“ bacteria. The balance of intestinal microflora can be upset by a disease, stress, antibiotics and other drugs. Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important ally in the treatment of diarrhoea, constipation and other disorders of the digestive system. It can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It synthesizes lactic acid, which adversely affects the growth of “bad“ bacteria, as well as colicin, which adversely affects the growth of many bacteria and fungi. It helps with the digestion (especially of dairy products) and plays a role in the synthesis of vitamin B complex. It helps in strengthening the immune system, and consequently in controlling allergic reactions.
VON BARF does not contain substances (certain types of crude fibre) that would retain water in the intestines with their osmotic activity.
Due to the bone content, stool is also of a more solid consistency.
Dogs with a sensitive digestive system and who have a hard time adapting to a new diet should be given a chance to get used to the new food over the course of several days. Changing food can cause digestive problems because the digestive system (enzymes and intestinal microflora) is not used to the new food.
VON BARF SENSITIVE is an excellent choice for dogs suffering from chronic diarrhoea. It is recommended to feed this food up to two weeks after the restoration of normal digestion, and then to gradually switch to VON BARF SENSITIVE.
Meal size depends on dog’s weight, activity and age. The recommended amount for feeding is 2-5% of dog’s body weight per day; for an adult, moderately active dog this is usually 2% of their body weight.
Puppies, pregnant and lactating female dogs, as well as very active dogs have higher nutritional requirements.
It should also be taken into account that dogs living outside, exposed to low temperatures, have higher nutritional requirements than the dogs living in houses or apartments. Dogs under stress also have higher nutritional needs. Some dogs have faster, some slower metabolism, some are inclined to eat something on the side, some are very picky, some are active all day long, and some are somewhat lazy.
Since all this affects the meal size, it is recommended to weigh the dog before switching to BARF and 2 to 3 weeks after. Depending on what you want to achieve (maintain the same weight, weight loss, weight increase), adjust serving size accordingly.
The amount of food needed for one meal should be thawed at room temperature or in warm water. VON BARF must not be exposed to high temperatures, cooked or defrosted in the microwave. The most sensitive enzymes in raw food are lost already at the temperature of 37 °C.
When the food reaches room temperature, just open the bag and put the food in the bowl.
Also, when taken out of the fridge, food should be served only after it reaches room temperature.
To prevent rapid eating of a large amount of food, it is advisable to squeeze out smaller amounts of food from the bag so the dog can eat it bit by bit (in the first couple of days when switching to BARF).
It is recommended to feed an adult, healthy dog, once a day. However, if a dog is used to eat several times a day, you can freely continue feeding in the same way.
Puppies, pregnant and lactating female dogs, as well as dogs with health problems, should be fed several times a day.
Pregnant and lactating female dogs should be fed 30-50% more than the usual amount of food determined in accordance with their weight and activity. During this period, female dogs are usually fed several times a day.
No, BARF must be left to thaw at room temperature. Frozen food can have an adverse effect on the digestive system
VON BARF must not be heated in a microwave. Raising the temperature to more than 42 °C causes proteins to coagulate and destroys cellular enzymes. Heating destroys minerals and vitamins in raw meat.
In VON BARF bone is ground into a paste, so there is no risk of injury to the gastrointestinal system or bowel obstruction.
One should avoid giving cooked bones to a dog. By cooking, bones become hard and brittle, and they may splinter. Raw bones are more elastic and they are not prone to splinter.
VON BARF is raw food without additives. Ingredients in wet dog food are cooked and usually mixed with many additives and preservatives.
VON BARF dog food is an excellent choice of high-quality proteins, rich in essential, highly digestible fatty acids. VON BARF does not contain grain – carbohydrates, and it is therefore excellent for weight control.
Mixing BARF with processed food is not recommended. It is more difficult for the body to digest the combination of raw and processed food.
Grains are not a quality source of vitamins, minerals and proteins for dogs. They can eat them, but in general, grains can do more harm than good to a carnivorous organism.
Grains are a rich source of carbohydrates. Carnivores do not need carbohydrates because their liver can synthesize sufficient amounts of glucose from glucogenic amino acids (from proteins) and glycerol (from fat).
Grains are often the cause of obesity and allergies in dogs.
Beef, liver and rumen are a sufficient source of linoleic fatty acid, which is the only essential fatty acid for dogs, because dogs can synthesize alpha-linoleic and arachidonic acid from linoleic acid, therefore – they are not essential to them.
Dogs can get ideal amounts of necessary fatty acids from natural fats, thermally non-processed, so there is no need to add any oil to the food.
It is important to emphasize that in raw, fresh frozen food, fatty acids are protected from oxidation and spoilage WITHOUT adding preservatives.
Fats extracted during industrial production, which includes thermal treatment, and subsequently added to food, are much more prone to deterioration, so preservatives and stabilizers are necessarily used to preserve them. Fats are thermo-sensitive and melt when kept at an inappropriate temperature, and unprotected and exposed to air, they oxidize. In this way fats lose their nutritional value and become toxic.
Occasional, one-day fast can be beneficial for an adult, healthy dog.
During fasting the body goes through a process of detoxification and purification, becomes renewed and strengthened.
Bovine rumen (one of the chambers of a cow’s stomach; green tripe) is a rich source of enzymes, minerals (calcium and phosphorus), vitamins (choline) and fatty acids (linoleic and alpha-linoleic), and it also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus – a probiotic.
Proteins in rumen are easily digestible, even more than proteins in muscle tissue.
Plant degradation in ruminants, which also include cattle, begins in bovine, and this is the reason its mucosa contains large amounts of absorbed chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is a green plant pigment, which enhances the body’s detoxification process, has antimicrobial properties, strengthens the immune system, plays a role in the control and destruction of malignant cells and has the ability to bind heavy metals. It has a positive effect on wound healing, both on the skin and on mucous membranes (it has been proven that chlorophyll has a positive effect on the healing of peptic ulcer). This positive effect on the body is the result of the chemical similarity between chlorophyll and haemoglobin (blood pigment contained in red blood cells – erythrocytes). The only difference is in their central atom, in chlorophyll this is magnesium, and in haemoglobin iron.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic, bacteria responsible for “good“ microflora in the gastrointestinal tract. This probiotic helps to establish a balance between “good“ and “bad“ bacteria. Disease, stress, antibiotics and other drugs can upset the balance of intestinal microflora.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important ally in the treatment of diarrhoea, constipation and other disorders of the digestive system. It can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It synthesizes lactic acid, which adversely affects the growth of “bad“ bacteria, as well as colicin, which adversely affects the growth of many bacteria and fungi. It helps in strengthening the immune system, and consequently in controlling allergic reactions.
It helps with the digestion (especially of dairy products) and plays a role in the synthesis of vitamin B complex.
Ground cartilage is a rich natural source of substances important for good joint health (glucosamine, chondroitin).
The glucosamine is a proteoglycan (glucose + amino acid glutamine), which is highly concentrated in connective tissue:
- It is needed for the synthesis of larger molecules that keep joints healthy, i.e. well lubricated and mobile.
- It is important in the therapy and prevention of joint injuries, osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint changes.
Chondroitin is a complex carbohydrate found in human and animal connective tissue. It keeps the cartilage healthy through several mechanisms:
- by binding water molecules (the creation of synovial fluid that feeds and lubricates joint cartilage and ligaments)
- by blocking enzymes that break down cartilage
- by encouraging chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to synthesize collagen and proteoglycan.
Garlic is added in very small amounts due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and antibacterial properties.
VON BARF can be kept in the freezer for 12 months.
Once defrosted VON BARF can be kept in the refrigerator for 24 h.
Since this is a raw food that has not been treated with preservatives, contact with oxygen triggers the processes of oxidation and decomposition of meat under the influence of enzymes in the meat. These processes do not pose a health hazard.
We can guarantee that no bacteria that could harm the health of people or animals will develop in our products during that period.
When taken out of the fridge, food should be served only after it reaches room temperature, and not right away. Frozen and cold food can have an adverse effect on the digestive system.
Unopened VON BARF food can be refrozen after thawing, but this is not recommended.
When food is refrozen, ice crystals formed that way damage the cell membrane of muscle tissue, and that causes the meat to leak juices (with dissolved peptides, amino acids, vitamins and minerals) – the so called meat dripping. In this way some of the nutrients are lost, which reduces the quality of food.
Stool covered in a large amount of mucus may occur when switching to a BARF diet. In general, there is no reason for concern; mucus is usually a sign that the body is detoxifying.
Mucus can also be the sign of bowel inflammation, especially if there are also traces of blood in it. Then it is definitely time to visit the vet. This can also be the sign of coccidiosis (a common parasite in puppies).
BARF contains bovine rumen with the mucous membrane, because the mucous membrane cells contain enzymes and chlorophyll. And chlorophyll (green plant pigment) is what gives the mucous membrane this greenish-brown colour.
Chlorophyll is the common name of several different green pigments found in the chloroplasts of plants and algae. Chlorophyll plays a key role in the process of photosynthesis; it enables the absorption of solar energy.
Haemoglobin, the blood pigment in the red blood cells, has nearly identical biochemical properties as chlorophyll. The only difference is that the central atom in haemoglobin is iron, and in chlorophyll magnesium.
Precisely due to this similarity, chlorophyll strongly influences the renewal of red blood cells. The result is an increased body’s oxygen supply – detoxification processes are accelerated, control and destruction of malignant cells is more successful, the immune system is strengthened and antimicrobial resistance is increased. Chlorophyll also has the ability to bind heavy metals, which can then be eliminated from the body.
In ruminants, which also include cattle, plant degradation begins in bovine, and that is the reason its mucosa contains large amounts of absorbed chlorophyll.
In older dogs, who have suffered from diarrhoea or had softer stool for years, the muscles of the intestines are weakened and cannot pass a hardened stool. Blood can appear in stool due to the decreased elasticity of the bowel wall, which results in rupture of capillaries. Small amount of blood in stool in the first couple of days after switching to BARF is not alarming, but if the dog bleeds every day during a bowel movement, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
The bone content (in the form of bone paste) in VON BARF makes the stool harder than when fed with processed or cooked food. Harder stool is important for natural emptying of anal glands.
VON BARF STARTER is formulated for BARF “beginners“ so that they could adapt to raw food. This formula is intended for dogs of all ages and breeds in the first few weeks (2-4 weeks) of switching to a BARF diet.
The ingredients in VON BARF STARTER are slightly different that the ones in VON BARF CLASSIC. The content of ground bone is reduced to prevent hard stool. This formula does not contain garlic, since garlic can cause nausea and vomiting in dogs with internal parasites. Therefore, it is highly recommended to deworm your dog before switching to a BARF diet.
VON BARF SENSITIVE has no bones (which is ground into a paste in other products) so this food is recommended for dogs with a very sensitive intestinal mucosa.
Raw food, which contains a large percentage of water (a natural part of meat), has a positive effect on the body hydration, and consequently, the body does not need to replace water by an increased water intake.
Water is the most important nutrient in dog’s diet. The loss of 10% of the total volume of water in the body causes serious illnesses, and 15% and more causes certain death. The amount of water a dog needs depends on where the dog lives (temperature), mental state and physical activity, health status (diarrhoea, lactation) and on the type of diet.
Dry food, with high protein content, encourages large water intake, which, in the long run, can strain the kidneys and cause an irreversible damage.