## BARF for Cats: The "Original" Diet

Cats are **obligate carnivores**. 

In nature:
- They hunt small prey (birds, mice, lizards).
- They eat **raw meat**, bones, and organs.
- They get water from food.

**BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)**:
- "Mimics" the natural diet.
- Raw meat, organs, meaty bones.
- Careful balancing.

**More "natural"** than commercial food, but:
- Requires commitment.
- Manageable risks.

Let's see how.

## Why BARF for Cats

### Advantages

**Nutritional**:
- 100% animal proteins.
- No unnecessary carbohydrates.
- Natural vitamins and minerals.

**Health**:
- Shinier coat.
- Better digestion.
- Cleaner teeth.
- Optimized weight.

**Hydration**:
- Raw food contains 65-75% water.
- Great for cats (notoriously drink little).

### Disadvantages

**Commitment**:
- Preparation, storage.

**Risks**:
- Nutritional imbalance.
- Bacteria/parasites.

**Cost**:
- Often higher than kibble.

## BARF "Feline" Composition

### "Prey Model" Proportions

**80%** muscle + heart.  
**10%** meaty bones.  
**10%** organs (5% liver + 5% others).  

### BARF with Additions

**70%** meat.  
**10%** bones.  
**10%** organs.  
**5-10%** vegetables/supplements.

### Specific Ingredients

**Muscle**:
- Chicken, turkey.  
- Rabbit.  
- Lean beef.  

**Heart**:
- Considered "muscle".
- Excellent source of taurine.

**Meaty Bones**:
- Chicken necks.  
- Chicken wings (puppies).  
- Lamb ribs.  

**Organs**:
- Liver (chicken, beef).  
- Kidney.  
- Pancreas (rare).  

**Optional Additions**:
- Egg yolk (1-2/week).
- Fish oil (omega-3).  
- Chopped catnip.

## Quantities

### General Formula

**Healthy Adult**:
- **2-3% of body weight** per day.

**Example**:
- 4 kg cat: **80-120 g/day**.

**Distribution**:
- 2-3 meals.  
- E.g. morning + evening: 40-60 g per meal.

### For Specific Cases

**Kittens**:
- 4-6% of body weight.

**Seniors**:
- 2-2.5% of body weight.

**Active**:
- 3-4% of body weight.

## Example Meal

**4 kg cat, 50 g meal**:

- **35 g fresh ground chicken**.  
- **5 g chopped chicken neck**.  
- **5 g chicken liver**.  
- **5 g chicken heart**.  
- Optionally: a little fish oil.

## Preparation

### Step 1: Purchase

**From butcher**:
- "Human-grade" meat (safe).  
- Fresh.  

**Specific BARF**:
- Specialized pet stores.  
- Online.  

**Cost**:
- 8-15 €/kg.

### Step 2: Freezing

**Safety**:
- **Freeze at -20°C for 7+ days**.  
- Kills most parasites.

### Step 3: Thawing

- In the fridge.  
- Never at room temperature.

### Step 4: Portion

- Weigh.  
- Accurate weights.

### Step 5: Serving

- Room temperature.  
- 15-20 minutes out of the fridge.

## Commercial "Ready BARF" Brands

**For those who don’t want to prepare**:

**Typical for cats**:
- **Frostfutter** (German).  
- **Cosma Naturals BARF**.  
- **Naturlich**.  

**Pros**:
- Balanced.  
- Convenient.  
- Safe.  

**Cost**: 12-25 €/kg.

## Transition

**From kibble to BARF**:

**2-3 week scheme**:

**Week 1**: 25% BARF + 75% regular food.  

**Week 2**: 50% / 50%.  

**Week 3**: 75% BARF + 25% regular food.  

**Week 4**: 100% BARF.  

**Important**: gradual change.

## Risks

### 1. Nutritional Imbalance

**Top risk**:
- Without exact calculation.

**Solution**:
- Consult a veterinary nutritionist.  
- Validated recipes.

### 2. Bacteria

**Salmonella, E. coli**:
- Possible.

**Solution**:
- Fresh meat.  
- Hygiene.  
- Freezing.

### 3. Parasites

**Toxoplasma**:
- Especially in pork.

**Solution**:
- Freezing at -20°C for 7+ days.

### 4. Bones

**Never cooked**.  
**Only meaty**:
- Chicken necks.  
- Wings.  

**Never**:
- "Weight-bearing" bones.  
- Cooked bones.

## What NOT to Feed

❌ **Raw fish** (thiaminase).  

❌ **Raw pork** (Aujeszky risk).  

❌ **Too fatty meat**.  

❌ **Cooked bones**.  

❌ **Toxic foods**: onion, garlic, etc.

## Nutritional Consulting

**Certified veterinary nutritionist**:
- Calculates recipes for your cat.  
- Periodic blood tests.

**Cost**: 150-300 € initial consultation.

**Useful investment**:
- Safety.  
- Balancing.

## Signs "BARF Works"

**After 4-12 weeks**:
- Shiny coat.  
- Small feces.  
- Improved energy.  
- Optimized weight.

**NEGATIVE signs**:
- Persistent diarrhea.  
- Lethargy.  
- Coat change.

**Veterinarian** if persistent.

## Cost

**For a 4 kg cat, homemade BARF**:
- 60-120 €/month.  

**Commercial BARF**:
- 100-200 €/month.  

**Quality kibble**:
- 30-60 €/month.  

**Difference**: 30-150 €/month.

## BARF for Cats with Health Issues

### Kidney

**BARF can help**:
- Natural hydration.  
- Quality proteins.  
- Reduced phosphorus (with careful selection).

**Under veterinary control**.

### Diabetic

**BARF often ideal**:
- No carbohydrates.

**Under veterinary control**.

### Allergic

**Possible** with "novel proteins":
- Rabbit, duck, venison.

## The Truth

**BARF for Cats** is:

✅ **Ideal natural diet**.  

✅ **Improved health** if done correctly.  

✅ **Compatible** with feline biology.

❌ **Requires commitment**.  

❌ **Requires balancing**.

**Strategy**:
- **Consult a veterinary nutritionist**.  
- **Start gradually**.  
- **Fresh meat + freezing**.  
- **Check with blood tests**.

**Investment**:
- Time: 30 min/week.  
- Money: 60-200 €/month.

**Benefit**:
- Healthier cat.  
- Better coat.  
- Improved life expectancy.

**Alternatives** if BARF is complex:
- High-quality wet food.  
- 80% of the benefit, 20% of the effort.

And remember: your cat is an **obligate carnivore**. The **more "natural" they eat**, the **better** their health.

BARF is a choice. For those who can, it’s excellent. For those who cannot, **quality wet food** works just fine.