If you're here, it's because you've already made one of the best decisions you can make for your furry friend: ditching kibble and starting to feed him real food. We know it may seem overwhelming at first, but you're on good footing. At CRU, we've spent years helping families like yours make this transition safely, easily, and with visible results from the first few weeks.

We'll explain step by step how to start the BARF diet with your dog : what to expect, how to do it, and how to support him throughout the process.

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Our recommendation: Progressive transition with a monoprotein menu

If you currently eat feed:

  • Fasting for about 12 hours after the last feeding. You can read more about fasting in dogs here.
  • Days 1-3: 100% natural wet diet. You can use our canned food or a mild homemade recipe.
  • Days 4-10 (1 week) - (for healthy adult dogs): Start with our exclusive Chicken BARF menu.
  • Days 4 to 17 (2 weeks) - (for puppies, elderly, sensitive or pathological dogs): start for two weeks with the Chicken Only menu.

If you already eat cooked food (homemade or wet):

  • You can start right away with the BARF Chicken menu. No fasting or pre-treatment phase is required.

If it is a puppy in the weaning stage:

  • You can start directly with Chicken BARF from day one for 2 weeks.

*Does your dog not tolerate chicken? Then replace the chicken with another mild protein like the BARF Rabbit meal.

And then what? Once the chicken or rabbit phase is over

  1. Introduce a second protein (for example, beef). Continue using that protein for several days in a row, until you finish the package. Our packages are 500g; depending on your dog's weight, one package will last more or less. If you still don't know how much your dog should eat, you can calculate their daily BARF ration here.

  2. Once the new protein is gone, offer a chicken meal again (or rabbit if your dog is intolerant to chicken).

  3. Continue this way, alternating between different proteins and the basic chicken menu until you've tried all the menus. This pattern helps introduce variety without overwhelming your digestive system.

And when you have already tried several proteins?

If all proteins agree with your dog or you know his favorites, you can offer a variety freely. You can rotate the menus however you prefer: chicken, rabbit, beef, lamb... You don't need to follow a strict order or keep chicken as your main menu rotation. The important thing is to always maintain a good rotation throughout the month.

Since CRU meals last about 4 days in the refrigerator, you can have 2 or 3 open at a time and combine them in meals (chicken in the morning, beef in the evening), but the reality is that it doesn't need to be so complicated.

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Almost everyone likes the menus, but each pet has their favorites. There's no need to force a menu they don't love. We stick with what they like best, and after a few months, we can try it again, since once they're more accustomed to it, they might accept a flavor they didn't like before.

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Alternative option: mixed diet (raw + feed)

It's not our favorite option, but it can be a useful intermediate step for families who aren't ready to completely give up kibble. In this case:

  • Never mix feed and raw food in the same meal, as they have different digestion times.
  • We recommend giving raw food in the morning and feed at night (feed is very slow to digest and is best given at rest).

Keep in mind that this option delays the benefits of BARF and prolongs the detoxification process. Still, it's better than making no changes at all.

What you can see during the transition: the detoxification process

Unless your furry friend is a puppy that you are weaning directly with CRU or you have been preparing natural food at home, it is normal for their body to need a detoxification period.

As you may already know, kibble is an ultra-processed food full of artificial ingredients and preservatives. Many of these additives and residues remain stored throughout the digestive tract because the body can't absorb them. During the transition, it's also important for your dog to recover the full bacterial flora of his stomach and intestinal tract.

Common symptoms of the detox phase

To avoid panic, it's best to understand the possible symptoms of this detox period. Don't get discouraged; they'll soon pass, and this is the best course of action you can take for your dog's well-being.

  • Soft stools, with mucus or occasional diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Bad breath
  • Changes in hair: dandruff, dull coat, itching or small pimples
  • Less water consumption: Sometimes they barely touch it, which is because with a diet based on real foods that maintain their natural moisture, they are absorbing water through food.

Some dogs don't show any symptoms. Others may take a few days or even weeks to stabilize. In all cases, the key is patience and support .

If you have any questions about the changes you're seeing in your furry friend, contact our nutritionist. We're here to support you throughout the entire process.

In no time, you'll start to notice visible improvements in your energy, digestion, skin, hair, and mood. Welcome to the CRU revolution!

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