BARF Diet Principles and Raw Feeding Basics
What is a BARF Diet?
Raw feeding is rooted in the idea that dogs thrive on biologically appropriate nutrition — real, minimally processed food that mirrors what their ancestors would naturally eat. This concept is often referred to as a BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food), which prioritises whole-animal components like muscle meat, organs and bone over synthetic additives and heavily processed ingredients.
Biologically appropriate feeding and whole-prey nutrition
This approach is central to the way Naked Dog raw dog food is formulated. Each recipe includes a careful balance of heart, liver, kidney, tripe, muscle meat and meat with bone from a range of different proteins. Together, these ingredients deliver a complete nutritional profile in a form dogs are designed to digest.
How Naked Dog Applies BARF Principles
The BARF feeding philosophy focuses on feeding dogs a species-appropriate diet that includes:
Muscle meat
Raw bones
Organ meats
Vegetable and functional ingredients
Rather than isolating nutrients in processed form, the BARF diet uses whole-prey components to supply naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Naked Dog follows this principle by incorporating a range of whole-animal ingredients that collectively provide balanced canine nutrition.
Find out more about the difference between recipes containing vegetables (complete meals) and Pure meat, bone, and offal (80-10-10) recipes in this blog post
Nutritional Benefits of Key Organ Meats
Muscle Meat – The Protein Foundation
(Protein, amino acids, B-vitamins, energy)
Muscle meat forms the bulk of most BARF diet recipes and is valued for:
High-quality protein for muscle maintenance
Amino acids that support immune function
Iron and B-vitamins for energy and blood health
Proteins like beef, turkey, lamb and chicken help diversify amino acid profiles and support healthy body composition in dogs.
H3: Heart – The High-Value “Organ Muscle”
(Taurine, CoQ10, metabolism support)
In BARF nutrition, heart is considered a particularly valuable ingredient. Though technically an organ, it behaves much like muscle meat, offering:
Taurine and CoQ10 for cardiac support
Protein and B-vitamins for metabolism
Highly bioavailable nutrients
Including heart in raw dog food aligns closely with BARF diet principles because it enhances both nutrient density and functional support.
Liver – A Nutrient-Dense BARF Superfood
(Vitamin A, iron, folate, B-vitamins)
BARF practitioners often refer to liver as nature’s multivitamin — and for good reason. It’s rich in:
Vitamin A for skin, vision and immunity
Iron and folate for blood health
B-vitamins for energy metabolism
Because of its potency, BARF diet ratios typically keep liver at modest percentages to balance nutrient density without overwhelming the diet.
Kidney – Trace Minerals and Micronutrients
(Iron, zinc, selenium, B-complex)
Kidney is another organ commonly included in BARF feeding due to its unique nutrient profile, including:
Iron, zinc and selenium
Vitamin A and B-complex vitamins
Compounds supporting detox pathways
Including kidney helps ensure dogs receive a broad spectrum of micronutrients from whole-food sources.
Tripe – Natural Digestive Support
(Enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics)
Green tripe is highly regarded in BARF diets for its digestive benefits. It naturally contains:
Digestive enzymes
Prebiotic potential
Beneficial bacteria
Highly palatable texture
Tripe supports gut health, stool quality and nutrient absorption — key considerations in any raw feeding approach.
Meat with Bone – Natural Mineral Balance
(Calcium, phosphorus, dental benefits)
One of the defining features of BARF diets is the inclusion of raw edible bone, which provides:
Calcium and phosphorus for skeletal development
Trace minerals like magnesium and zinc
Natural dental benefits when chewed
Instead of using synthetic calcium supplements, BARF relies on bone to help maintain proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, supporting growth and bone integrity.
Naked Dog recipes contain around 10% bone. We also offer a variety of raw frozen Bones which are great enrichment treats for dogs and contribute to healthy teeth and gums.
Why Ingredient Variety Matters in BARF Diets
The importance of whole-prey ratios
Feeding just muscle meat isn’t sufficient for balanced nutrition. The BARF model emphasises variety because different animal parts contribute different nutrients:
Organs supply micronutrients
Muscle meats supply amino acids
Bones supply minerals
Tripe supports digestion
Complementary roles of organ, muscle, and bone
Naked Dog applies this same logic by incorporating multiple organ types and proteins across its raw dog food range, supporting nutrient completeness through whole foods rather than synthetic additives.
Final Thoughts — BARF Principles in Practice
Whole-food nutrition for digestion, energy and immunity
The BARF diet model provides a useful nutritional framework for raw feeding, and Naked Dog puts these principles into action through thoughtful ingredient selection.
|
Ingredient |
Key BARF Contribution |
|
Muscle Meat |
Complete proteins & amino acids |
|
Heart |
Taurine & cardiac support nutrients |
|
Liver |
Vitamins A, B & iron |
|
Kidney |
Trace minerals & B-vitamins |
|
Tripe |
Digestive enzymes & probiotics |
|
Meat with Bone |
Calcium, phosphorus & minerals |
Together, these foods provide a balanced, biologically appropriate diet that supports digestion, energy, immunity and overall wellbeing — exactly what the BARF philosophy aims for.