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Beginner's Guide — What is the BARF Diet?

Biologically Appropriate Raw Food — 80/10/10, organs, bones and real benefits.

By RawDiet • Nov 27, 2025 • Estimated read: 4 min

Beginner's Guide — What is the BARF Diet?

A gentle, evidence-oriented introduction to the BARF raw feeding approach and the practical 80/10/10 rule for balanced pet nutrition.

Key takeaways
  • BARF aims to provide biologically appropriate raw food: 80% muscle meat, 10% edible bone, 10% organs.
  • Proper sourcing and hygiene are essential—raw feeding requires careful handling.
  • Balance is achieved across meals; start simple and monitor your pet's response.

Beginner's Guide: What is the BARF Diet?

If you've been looking into improving your pet's health, you've likely heard the acronym BARF. It stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (or sometimes Bones and Raw Food). But what exactly does it mean to feed your dog or cat a raw diet?

The Philosophy Behind BARF

The core concept is simple: feed domestic pets the diet they evolved to eat. Before commercial kibble existed, dogs and cats ate raw meat, bones, and organs. A BARF diet attempts to mimic this ancestral menu to optimize health.

The Golden Ratio: 80/10/10

A balanced raw diet generally follows a specific ratio to ensure your pet gets all necessary nutrients without synthetic additives:

  • 80% Muscle Meat: This provides protein, fat, and essential amino acids.
  • 10% Raw Edible Bone: Crucial for calcium and phosphorus. Never feed cooked bones!
  • 10% Secreting Organs: Liver (5%) and other organs (5%) like kidney or spleen provide essential vitamins.

Why Switch to Raw?

Owners who switch often report smaller stools, shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and increased energy levels. While it requires more preparation than pouring kibble, the long-term health benefits for your furry friend are often worth the effort.