What Is Raw Feeding (BARF) and Why Is It Growing in Europe?
Raw feeding — most commonly known as BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food — involves giving dogs uncooked meat, organs, raw meaty bones, and sometimes vegetables, fruit and dairy. The concept was popularised by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst in the 1990s and has since gained a substantial following across Europe, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the UK.
Interest in raw diets has risen sharply over the past decade, driven by growing owner concern about ultra-processed pet foods, a desire for ingredient transparency, and a broader cultural shift towards natural lifestyles. A 2022 survey by Fediaf — the European Pet Food Industry Federation — found that premium and natural pet food segments, including raw and freeze-dried options, were among the fastest-growing categories in the European market. For many owners, raw feeding feels like a more instinctive, species-appropriate approach to canine nutrition.
Potential Benefits: What Proponents Claim
Advocates of raw feeding often report noticeable improvements in their dogs after switching from kibble. The most commonly cited benefits include:
- Improved coat condition and skin health, with a glossier, less flaky appearance
- Better digestive function, including smaller and firmer stools
- Increased energy and muscle tone
- Reduced dental tartar when raw meaty bones are included
- Fewer food intolerances or sensitivities compared to processed diets
It is important to note that most of these reported benefits remain anecdotal. Robust, peer-reviewed clinical evidence supporting raw diets over high-quality commercial diets is currently limited. Proponents make compelling claims, but owners should approach these with critical thinking and always consult a veterinary professional before making significant dietary changes.
ESCCAP Raw Meat Guidelines: The Parasite Risk You Cannot Ignore
Perhaps the most serious concern surrounding raw feeding is the risk of parasitic infection — both to your dog and to you and your household. The European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) has issued clear guidelines warning that raw meat poses a significant zoonotic and animal health risk.
ESCCAP identifies several pathogens of particular concern in raw meat fed to dogs:
- Toxoplasma gondii — a protozoan parasite found in raw pork, lamb and game meat. Dogs can shed oocysts and act as a source of infection for humans, especially pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.
- Trichinella spiralis — a roundworm found predominantly in raw pork and wild boar. EU Regulation EC 999/2001 governs controls on certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs including BSE) in animal products, and Trichinella testing is mandatory for pigs intended for human consumption — but meat sourced outside regulated human food chains may carry higher risk.
- Salmonella spp. — bacteria commonly found in raw poultry and red meat. Dogs can carry and shed Salmonella without showing clinical signs, putting household members — particularly young children and elderly or immunocompromised individuals — at real risk of infection.
- Sarcocystis spp. — a cyst-forming parasite present in raw muscle meat, particularly beef, pork and venison. Ingestion can cause acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea and serious illness in dogs.
ESCCAP recommends that if owners choose to feed raw meat, they should only use meat sourced from the human food chain, freeze meat at -20°C for at least seven days before feeding (to kill most — though not all — parasites), and maintain strict hygiene protocols throughout preparation and feeding. Even with these precautions, ESCCAP maintains that no raw meat feeding protocol is entirely without risk.
EU Food Safety and Handling Requirements
In the European Union, raw pet food products intended for commercial sale are regulated under several pieces of legislation governing animal by-products, hygiene and food safety. Commercial raw pet food manufacturers must comply with EU Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, which classifies raw pet food according to the category of animal material used and requires traceability throughout the supply chain.
For owners preparing raw food at home, the regulatory framework is less prescriptive, but food safety best practice strongly applies. Hands should be washed thoroughly before and after handling raw meat. Feeding bowls and preparation surfaces should be disinfected after each use. Raw meat should never be thawed and refrozen. Dogs should not lick the faces of young children or vulnerable individuals after eating a raw meal, and dog faeces should be collected promptly and hygienically disposed of.
Nutritional Balance: FEDIAF Standards and the Risk of Deficiency
One of the most significant practical risks of home-prepared raw diets is nutritional imbalance. FEDIAF publishes detailed nutritional guidelines for dogs and cats — the European equivalent of AAFCO standards in the United States — setting minimum and maximum recommended levels for protein, fat, vitamins and minerals across all life stages.
Studies have repeatedly found that home-prepared raw diets frequently fail to meet FEDIAF standards, with common deficiencies in calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamin D and essential fatty acids. Conversely, some raw diets supply excessive levels of vitamin A or phosphorus, which can cause toxicity or skeletal problems over time. Puppies, pregnant or lactating females, and senior dogs are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of nutritional imbalance. If you choose to raw feed, working with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a balanced recipe is strongly advisable.
WSAVA Position on Raw Diets
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has taken a clear and cautious position on raw feeding. WSAVA does not recommend raw meat-based diets for dogs or cats, citing the documented risks of pathogen exposure to both animals and humans, the prevalence of nutritional imbalances in home-prepared raw meals, and the lack of controlled clinical evidence demonstrating superiority over high-quality commercial diets. WSAVA advises that any pet food — raw or commercial — should ideally meet the nutritional profiles established by recognised bodies such as FEDIAF, and that owners should seek guidance from their veterinarian before changing their dog's diet.
When Raw Feeding May Not Be Appropriate
Certain circumstances make raw feeding particularly inadvisable:
- Households with infants, young children, elderly residents or anyone who is immunocompromised — the zoonotic risk from Salmonella, Toxoplasma and other pathogens is significantly elevated
- Dogs that are themselves immunocompromised, receiving chemotherapy, or recovering from surgery
- Dogs with diagnosed kidney or liver disease, where precise nutritional control is critical
- Owners who do not have the time or resources to source, store and prepare raw food safely and consistently
EU-Sourced Raw Food and Commercial Raw Options
For owners who choose to proceed with raw feeding despite the risks, sourcing from reputable commercial suppliers can reduce — though not eliminate — some of the hazards associated with home preparation. Several EU-based manufacturers produce frozen raw complete diets that are formulated to meet FEDIAF nutritional guidelines and processed under regulated hygiene conditions.
Zooplus, one of Europe's largest online pet retailers, stocks a wide range of frozen raw products from brands including BARF Nature, Mush and Wolf of Wilderness Raw. Buying from the frozen raw range at Zooplus ensures the meat has been processed within the EU regulatory framework and gives owners access to a broader selection than is typically available in high-street pet shops. Always check that any raw product is labelled as nutritionally complete for your dog's life stage.
The Importance of Veterinary Consultation
Whatever your views on raw feeding, the decision should never be made in isolation. Your veterinarian is best placed to assess your individual dog's health status, life stage and household circumstances, and to advise whether a raw diet is appropriate or whether a high-quality commercial alternative would better serve your pet's needs. If your vet recommends against raw feeding, consider asking for a referral to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who can help you explore alternatives or, if you proceed, design a nutritionally balanced and safer raw feeding plan.
Raw feeding is a genuinely complex topic that sits at the intersection of animal nutrition, public health and food safety. As Sarah Bennett, our resident pet health writer, always reminds readers: the best diet for your dog is one that is nutritionally complete, safely prepared, and recommended by a professional who knows your animal — not simply one that feels the most natural.