Are kibble or BARF better?

Whether a new canine companion has joined your life and you naturally want to give them the very best, or you’re looking for high-quality food for an older pet, you’re in the right place! We’ll advise you on how to feed your dog well so they thrive both physically and mentally! There are several options to choose from—the most popular are undoubtedly feeding high-quality kibble (dry food) or fresh raw food, known as BARF (Bones and Raw Food). In the following paragraphs, you’ll learn what each method involves, how to go about it, and what to watch out for. Choose the right option, and you’ll have a happy canine companion who’ll repay your loving care with endless affection!

BARF vs. kibble – what’s the difference?

As we mentioned in the introduction, feeding kibble or BARF is among the most popular and widespread options. Dog kibble is a type of dry food, whereas BARF is a raw diet. Each method has its own specifics, advantages, and disadvantages, which we’ll take a closer look at now!

Feeding kibble – quality and the right ingredients are key!

When it comes to dog kibble, high-quality ingredients are the most important thing, so please avoid low-quality supermarket kibble. It certainly won’t support your dog’s health—it’s full of grains, artificial colorings, and preservatives that can cause allergic reactions and, with long-term use, serious health problems.

You can tell high-quality kibble by its ingredients: it should contain at least 70% meat, as well as vegetables, fruit, health-promoting herbs or oils, minerals, and vitamins. The more detailed the ingredient list, the better you’ll know what you’re serving your dog.

Advantages and disadvantages of feeding dog kibble

• Nutritionally balanced diet – it contains everything your dog needs. Simply choose kibble tailored to their needs, and there’s nothing else you need to worry about. However, you should keep an eye on how your dog is doing on it.
• Easy to serve and store – kibble has a long shelf life (store it in a dry place and don’t expose it to extreme temperatures). Simply measure out the right portion each day and pour it into your dog’s bowl. 
• Kibble is ideal for travel – thanks to its low weight and easy storage, it’s ideal for outings and trips with your dog. 
• Less insight into ingredient quality – when choosing kibble, you have to rely on the manufacturer providing accurate information about its ingredients.
• Higher purchase costs – compared with a raw diet, feeding high-quality kibble is usually a little more expensive.
• Harder to digest and risk of bloat – dogs fed kibble need constant access to water and also produce more waste. The risk of gastric torsion is higher, especially in larger breeds, because kibble gradually expands.  

 

🐶 TIP! Don’t forget to tuck a few small treats in your pocket for walks—our healthy drops make a quick and tasty reward! 

BARF – raw, fresh ingredients as the most natural food for dogs! 

In recent years, raw feeding, or BARF, has become increasingly popular. It consists of a balanced combination of meat, raw bones and offal, eggs, vegetables, fruit, herbs, and selected supplementary ingredients. One advantage of this method is that you have complete insight into the quality of each ingredient, and it’s the most natural way for canines to eat. Most dogs also find BARF very appealing, which isn’t always the case with kibble.  

Unlike complete and balanced kibble, however, it’s up to you to choose the right ingredients and proportions—so before you start feeding BARF, you need to study enough reliable information. That’s the only way to be sure you won’t harm your dog. You can also discuss the ingredients with your veterinarian, who knows your dog’s health and any allergies in detail.

What should never go into BARF?

When putting together a BARF diet, you need to know which ingredients should never go in your dog’s bowl because they’re unhealthy or even highly poisonous.

Some of the best-known examples include:

• Avocado – it contains persin, a substance that is very dangerous for dogs and can cause poisoning and damage to vital organs.
• Grapes – they contain a toxin that damages the kidneys.
• Cooked bones – they can splinter dangerously and cause serious health complications for dogs.

Advantages and disadvantages of feeding BARF

• Natural, tasty food for dogs – a BARF diet is varied and full of fresh, interesting flavors, so it often wins over even dogs who turn their noses up at kibble. It’s also the most natural type of diet for dogs.
• Complete insight into ingredient quality – you know exactly what’s in your dog’s bowl and can check ingredient quality, origin, and proper storage.
• Lower risk of bloat and easier digestion – because fresh ingredients don’t expand in a dog’s stomach as kibble does, the risk of gastric torsion is significantly reduced.
• More demanding storage requirements – to store frozen meat, you’ll ideally need a separate freezer with sufficient capacity. You’ll also need extra space for fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, and supplementary ingredients. In short, a BARF diet requires more storage space than a bag of kibble.
• Difficult to store while traveling – if you travel often with your dog, BARF can be somewhat challenging, as it’s almost impossible to store the ingredients properly on the road. However, you can find suitable products on the market to use as a substitute while traveling.
• Longer food preparation – while kibble can simply be poured into a bowl, preparing BARF takes longer: the ingredients need to be weighed and portioned correctly. 

🐶 TIP! You can pack our Dingo suchary for the trip. They’ll give your dog energy and make a welcome treat!

Want to change things up for your dog? Switch from kibble to BARF gradually!

Have you decided to switch from kibble to BARF, but aren’t sure how to go about it? Remember, it’s best to make the transition gradually. Over about two weeks, you should gradually replace the kibble with fresh ingredients, increasing their proportion until they make up 100% of your dog’s diet. This gives your dog’s digestive system time to adjust to the new food and reduces the risk of possible complications.

Whenever you change your dog’s food, it’s essential to monitor their health and mood. If any problems arise (vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, etc.), consult your veterinarian or a canine nutrition expert.

Did kibble or BARF win you over? Either way, high-quality treats are a must

Nutritionally balanced dog kibble and a properly formulated BARF diet are both viable options. It’s impossible to say definitively which method is better—it depends on your dog’s condition, health issues, and appetite! Whichever feeding method you choose, remember that the quality of the ingredients is what matters most.

The same is certainly true of dog treats, which you can use to reward your canine companion whenever you like. For large breeds, we offer healthy rusks; for medium-sized dogs, treat them to fragrant baked meatballs; and for small dogs, reward them with little slimka treats! Give your pet the very best—they deserve it!