BARF diet for dogs and cats: what the evidence says and what the risks are

November 11, 2026

Dieta BARF para perros y gatos: qué dice la evidencia y qué riesgos tiene

You’ve surely met someone who feeds their dog raw meat and swears they’ve never seen them better. You’ve likely also heard from veterinarians who don't want to hear a word about it. The BARF diet generates intense opinions, so let's look at what it is, what we really know, and what options you have if you are interested in a more natural diet.

What the BARF diet is

BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, although it was also originally read as Bones and Raw Food. It was popularized in the 1990s by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst.

It is based on feeding dogs or cats raw products:

Meat and meaty bones, such as chicken wings or necks.
Organs, such as liver or kidney.
In dogs, some vegetables and fruit, and sometimes supplements.

Today, there are two ways to do it: prepared at home or purchased already made and frozen.

Why so many owners like it

Those who follow it often speak of a shinier coat, smaller stools, more vitality, or fewer digestive problems. It’s normal for it to grab attention: it seems closer to what an animal would eat in the wild and provides a sense of control over the ingredients.

The problem is that these benefits are based primarily on personal experiences. The nutrition committee of the WSAVA, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, concludes that there is no well-documented evidence that a raw diet provides benefits over a complete and balanced diet, while its risks are indeed documented.

There is also a view in favour: the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society, an association of veterinarians that defends raw feeding, holds that, done well, it is safe and nutritious. It is a minority opinion within the profession, but it is worth knowing.

What veterinary associations say

The position of major organizations is quite clear:

The WSAVA recommends against feeding raw meat-based diets to dogs and cats.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discourages feeding raw or undercooked animal protein due to the risk to animal and human health.
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) speaks of “compelling evidence” of health risks for animals that eat commercial raw meat.

Also in Spain: a survey by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Complutense University of Madrid, covering 712 people living in Spain, concludes that the scientific evidence underlines the risks of these diets, both for animals and for people.

Documented risks

Bacteria and viruses

Raw meat can carry microorganisms that affect the animal and the people around it. In a study by the U.S. FDA published in 2014 (Nemser et al.), 196 samples of raw dog and cat food were analysed: 8% tested positive for Salmonella and 16% for Listeria monocytogenes, and all the positives for these two bacteria were in the raw products.

Freezing does not fix it: the FDA reminds us in its notices that refrigerating or freezing does not kill Salmonella or Listeria.

An animal can carry these bacteria without showing symptoms and shed them through feces or saliva. That is why the risk weighs more heavily in homes with babies, the elderly, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems.

Furthermore, cases of cats infected with H5N1 avian flu linked to commercial raw foods have been documented in the United States since late 2024, some of which were fatal and led to product recalls. In 2025, for example, the FDA warned that two lots of a raw cat food tested positive for H5N1 and that a cat that ate from one of them fell ill and had to be put down.

Nutritional imbalances

Homemade diets, whether raw or cooked, often fall short or exceed calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, or other nutrients if they are not formulated by a professional. In growing puppies, such a mistake can affect the development of bones and joints.

Bones

The WSAVA reports issues such as constipation, diarrhea, fractured teeth, and intestinal obstructions. Cooked bones are even more dangerous because they splinter, but raw ones are not free of risk either.

If you are still considering it

The decision is yours, and the important thing is to make it with information. If you want to try a more natural diet:

Discuss it with your veterinarian first, especially if your animal is a puppy, senior, or has any health conditions.
If it is homemade, have it formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. A recipe from the internet is not tailored to your animal.
If it is commercial, make sure it is a complete food, not a supplement, and from a manufacturer that monitors microbiological safety.
Maintain extreme hygiene: thaw in the refrigerator, wash your hands, surfaces, and bowls, and do not leave leftovers out.
Consider alternatives: well-formulated cooked homemade diets or foods made with quality ingredients. Cooking eliminates a large part of the microbiological risk.

Where can you buy ready-made raw food?

If, after talking it over with your veterinarian, you decide to try it, buying it ready-made saves you from putting the portions together yourself. One option in Spain is CRU, a brand founded in Barcelona in 2017 that sells frozen BARF menus for dogs and cats, as well as cooked and dehydrated food and treats. According to the brand, its menus are complete and balanced, and its recipes are formulated by its nutritionist.

Before buying, bear in mind:

That is what the brand says. We have not found published Salmonella or Listeria test results on its website: ask them about their safety controls before deciding.
Check that each product says “complete food” and not “complementary”. Here we explain the difference.
It is shipped frozen, in a cooler with dry ice. On its website you will see the costs and delivery days for your area.
Being commercial does not remove the risk. Everything we have said about hygiene at home still applies.

See the CRU menus

Affiliate link: if you buy from here, Petsforyou receives a small commission at no extra cost to you. We include CRU as an example of ready-made raw food; it is not a health recommendation and does not replace your veterinarian's opinion.

What really matters

Beyond fads, a good diet is one that is complete, balanced, safe, and appropriate for the species, age, and health of your animal. This can be achieved in several ways. What is not advisable is to choose based on what seems more natural without taking into account what is known.

You may also be interested in: Cooked natural food · Natural feeding · Food and treats for dogs