Switching your dog from dry food to BARF: Instructions 2026

When switching your dog from kibble to BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), the transition should be gradual. An abrupt change can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. A 10- to 14-day plan gives the digestive system time to adjust to the raw food.

BARF conversion at a glance

The safest way to switch from dry food to BARF is in small stages over 10 to 14 days.
A monoprotein menu like the Masterfeed menu horse with vegetables is suitable as a first BARF building block.
Feed dry food and BARF in separate meals.
Soft stools, vomiting, or loss of appetite indicate that you should slow down.
Mineral and herbal mixtures fill the nutrient gap of the previous dry food.

Why a gradual transition is important

Dry food and raw meat are digested at different rates. The gastrointestinal tract needs time to adjust enzyme production and gut flora to the new composition. A rapid change is often first noticeable in the stool and later in the appetite.

This effect can be intensified in sensitive dogs. Before you begin, also read the guide to... BARF for dogs with sensitive stomachsWith fixed shares and clear observation points, the transition remains predictable.

Preparation for switching to BARF

Have a kitchen scale ready. BARF is fed by weight, not by measuring cup.
Plan for freezer space large enough for convenient daily portions.
During the first three to five days, the stool often becomes softer. This is no reason to immediately stop the transition.

Days 1 to 3: Feed 25 percent BARF

Weigh the current daily ration of dry food. Reduce it to 75 percent of the previous amount.
Supplement 25 percent with a mild, single-protein BARF menu. This is suitable. Horse meat with vegetables (BARF, minced).
Horse meat is considered particularly easy on the stomachs of people with sensitive stomachs.
Feed dry food and BARF in separate meals.
Observe the stool over three days. Firm to slightly soft stool is normal, watery stool is not.

The dog should eat both parts without vomiting. The stool should remain soft and malleable.

Days 4 to 7: Increase the proportion to 50 percent

Feed 50 percent dry food and 50 percent BARF.
Stick with the meat from the first week. Only introduce a new protein source after that.
Divide the daily ration into at least two meals.

The dog should show a normal appetite at both meals. Recurring nausea should not occur.

Days 8 to 10: Increase to 75 percent BARF

Reduce dry food to 25 percent of the ration.
Introduce a second monoprotein, such as beef or duck.
Check your pet's weight weekly. BARF has a different energy density than dry food.

The stool should remain stable for several days. The weight should fluctuate by no more than two to three percent.

Days 11 to 14: Completely switch to BARF

Switch to 100% BARF. Stop feeding dry food.
Calculate the daily ration based on body weight. Do not use the previous feeding instructions on the dry food packaging.
Include offal, bones, minerals, and vegetables firmly in your weekly meal plan.

The dog is fully switched to BARF when its digestion remains normal for at least one week.

Vegetables, oil and minerals complement

Introduce vegetables only from day 4 onwards. The intestines should first get used to raw meat.
Starting on day 8, supplement with a mineral or herbal mix. This will fill the nutritional gap left by the dry food.
Wait before introducing bones and hard chew toys. The dog should be on a stable BARF diet for at least ten days.

Suitable starter menus for switching to BARF

Horse meat with vegetables (BARF, minced)Finely ground single-protein horse meat with vegetables for BARF beginners. Price: €5.90.
Menu: Duck with vegetables (BARF, minced)Monoprotein duck with carrots, apples, pears and BARF herb mix. Price: €5.90.
Beef (BARF, minced)Pure monoprotein beef for elimination diets and days 8 to 10. Price: €3.90.
Mineral and herb mix (BARF)Supplement for a balanced nutrient supply from day 8. Price: €19.90.

Switching from wet food to BARF

Wet food contains more water than dry food. Therefore, seven to ten days are often sufficient for switching.
Reduce wet food by 20 to 25 percentage points every two days.
Observe the stool just as closely as you did when switching to dry food.

Solving problems during the BARF transition

Soft stools lasting more than five days

Return to the previous percentage. Then slow the pace down for two to three days.

The dog refuses raw meat

Gently warm the meat, but do not cook it. You can sprinkle it with a few crumbs of its usual dry food.

Vomiting of undigested meat

Reduce the portion size per meal. Divide your daily ration into three meals instead of two.

Constipation after the switch

Check water intake. Slightly increase the proportion of tripe or vegetables.

Concern about germs in raw meat

Strictly adhere to hygiene rules during preparation and storage. Details can be found in the article. Salmonella from raw dog food.

Adjust feeding after the change

Once your dog is consistently eating a 100% BARF diet, feeding it becomes a routine. Rotate the protein sources every few weeks. Horse, beef, duck, and rabbit provide variety in the nutritional spectrum.

Plan your monthly costs before the complete switchover. Masterfeed offers BARF menus with up to 90 percent meat content. They can be used in all four phases of the transition.

FAQ on switching from dry food to BARF

How long does it take to switch from dry food to BARF?

The transition usually takes 10 to 14 days. Sensitive dogs sometimes need three weeks. Robust dogs can sometimes manage the change in five to seven days.

Can I mix dry food and BARF in one meal?

No, feed both types of food in separate meals. Different digestion rates can contribute to loose stools and flatulence.

Is soft stool normal during the transition?

Yes, softer stools are normal for the first three to five days. If they remain watery for more than five days, slow down the process.

Which meats are suitable for getting started with BARF?

Monoprotein meals made with horse or rabbit are considered particularly easy to digest. They are less taxing on the stomach than high-fat varieties such as duck or lamb.

Do I need to feed vegetables from the beginning?

No, only add vegetables from day 4 onwards. The intestines first get used to raw meat and then to fiber from vegetables.

Can I transition a senior dog in the same way?

The basic step-by-step plan works the same way. However, older dogs with sensitive digestion benefit from smaller steps over up to three weeks.

What do I do if someone refuses meat?

Gently warm the meat or sprinkle it with some dry food. Patience over several meals will usually resolve the refusal on its own.

Does my dog need additional minerals?

Yes, add a mineral or herbal mix starting around day 8. This will fill the nutritional gap that dry food previously covered automatically.

Choose the right pace

Not every dog needs the full 14 days. Adjust the pace based on stool consistency, not the calendar. Some dogs can complete the transition in five days, others need three weeks.