BARF vs. dry food: Scientific comparison 2025

The decision between BARF and dry food is one that concerns many dog owners. While dry food has been the standard for decades, raw feeding is becoming increasingly popular. Both feeding methods have advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered scientifically. This objective comparison will help you make the right decision for your four-legged friend. If you are interested in BARF, you can find all the important basics in our BARF beginner's guide.

Current studies from 2024 and 2025 show positive effects on dog health with both BARF and high-quality dry food. Choosing the right feeding method depends on several factors: your dog's individual needs, your lifestyle, the available budget and your willingness to invest time in food preparation. An informed decision requires an understanding of both approaches and their scientific basis.

Basics of the feeding methods

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding) is based on the principle of feeding dogs raw, natural ingredients that correspond to their original diet as carnivores. The method was developed in the 1990s by the Australian vet Ian Billinghurst and is based on the prey principle.

Dry food is an industrially produced, dried food that contains all the necessary nutrients in concentrated form. Modern dry food is developed according to scientific standards and undergoes strict quality controls. It is usually produced by extrusion at high temperatures.

The philosophy behind BARF is to return to the dog's "natural" diet. Proponents argue that dogs have evolved over thousands of years on raw food and that their digestive system is optimally adapted to this form of nutrition.

Dry food manufacturers, on the other hand, emphasize the scientific optimization of the nutrient composition and the safety provided by heating processes that eliminate harmful bacteria. Modern feed research makes it possible to precisely define and cover the nutritional requirements of dogs.

Nutrient comparison and bioavailability

Nutrient supply is at the heart of every feeding method. Both BARF and dry food can provide a complete diet, but differ in terms of nutrient composition and availability.

Protein quality and amino acids: BARF offers high-quality, natural proteins from various meat sources. The amino acid composition is complete and meets natural requirements. Studies show a bioavailability of 85-95% for raw proteins.

High-quality dry food also uses high-quality protein sources, but heating processes can change the amino acid structure. Bioavailability is 70-85%, although modern manufacturing processes minimize these losses.

Vitamins and minerals: With BARF, vitamins come mainly from offal, vegetables and fruit. The natural form often enables better absorption, but deficiencies can occur if the food is not put together properly.

Dry food is enriched with synthetic vitamins and minerals to cover requirements. The dosage is precisely calculated, but synthetic forms can sometimes be less available than natural ones.

Omega fatty acids: BARF provides natural omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish and meat. The ratio can be optimized through food selection.

Dry food is often enriched with fish oil or other sources of omega-3. However, stability during storage can be problematic as these fatty acids are sensitive to oxidation.

Scientific fact: A study published in 2024 by the University of Helsinki showed that both well-planned BARF rations and high-quality dry food can achieve similar blood levels of nutrient markers.

Digestibility and gut health

Digestibility and the influence on intestinal health are decisive factors in the evaluation of feeding methods. There are clear differences between BARF and dry food.

Fecal quality and quantity: BARF-fed dogs typically produce smaller, firmer feces. The low carbohydrate content and the high digestibility of the proteins lead to fewer waste products. Studies show a 30-50% reduction in the amount of feces compared to dry food.

Dry food, especially varieties with a high grain content, lead to larger amounts of feces. However, the higher fiber content can be beneficial for some dogs as it stimulates intestinal activity.

Intestinal flora and microbiome: Current microbiome research shows that BARF-fed dogs have a different intestinal flora than dry-fed dogs. The diversity of bacterial species is often higher, which is associated with better gut health.

Dry food with prebiotics and probiotics can also promote a healthy intestinal flora. However, the composition differs from the "natural" intestinal flora of wild canids.

Digestion time: Raw meat is digested more quickly than processed dry food. The gastric passage takes 4-6 hours with BARF and 8-12 hours with dry food. This can be particularly relevant for sensitive dogs.

Health effects

Various studies have examined the health effects of both feeding methods. The results are differentiated and show both advantages and disadvantages for both approaches.

Allergies and intolerances: BARF can be beneficial for food allergies as ingredients can be individually controlled. The elimination of allergens is easier to carry out. However, raw proteins can also trigger allergies.

Hypoallergenic dry food with hydrolyzed proteins also offers solutions for allergy sufferers. However, industrial processing can create or increase new allergens.

Dental health: Chewing on raw meaty bones can promote tooth cleaning and reduce tartar. Studies often show better dental health in BARF-fed dogs.

Dry food has a certain abrasive effect due to its hard consistency, but this is usually less than with raw bones. Special dental dry food can support dental health.

Weight management: BARF allows precise control of calorie intake and composition. The high protein content can boost the metabolism and help with weight management.

Dry food offers easy calorie control thanks to its even composition. Special diet foods are available for different needs.

Long-term study results: A Finnish long-term study from 2023 with over 4,000 dogs showed that both BARF and high-quality dry food can lead to similar life expectancies. The decisive factor was the quality of the implementation, not the feeding method itself.

Practical aspects in everyday life

Practicality in everyday life is a decisive factor in the choice of feeding method. BARF and dry food differ considerably in terms of effort, cost and handling.

Time required: BARF requires significantly more time for planning, shopping and preparation. Weekly planning, portioning and storage take 2-4 hours. This can be a challenge for working dog owners.

Dry food is extremely time-saving. It only takes a few seconds to measure out a portion. This is a considerable advantage for busy people or those with several dogs.

Storage and shelf life: BARF ingredients require sufficient freezing capacity and must be defrosted in good time. Shelf life is limited and the cold chain must be maintained.

Dry food has a long shelf life when stored dry and requires little space. Storage is uncomplicated and the risk of spoilage is low.

Travel and flexibility: BARF is complicated when traveling. It is often not possible to take chilled or frozen ingredients with you. Many hotels and vacation apartments do not have suitable storage facilities.

Dry food is travel-friendly and available everywhere. Even spontaneous trips or longer absences are no problem.

Costs in Switzerland: BARF costs vary greatly depending on the quality and origin of the meat. Swiss organic meat can cost CHF 4-8 per day for a medium-sized dog. Inexpensive variants are possible from 2-3 CHF.

High-quality dry food in Switzerland costs CHF 2-5 per day for a medium-sized dog. Cheap dry food is available from as little as CHF 0.50-1, but is often of lower quality.

Safety aspects and risks

Both feeding methods come with specific risks that need to be understood and minimized. An honest assessment takes these aspects into account.

Bacterial contamination: Raw meat can contain pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli or Listeria. A study from 2024 found questionable bacterial counts in 23% of the BARF samples examined. Hygienic handling is essential.

Dry food undergoes heating processes that kill most bacteria. However, there have been isolated recalls due to salmonella contamination of dry food.

Nutrient deficiencies: Deficiencies can occur in improperly formulated BARF rations. Calcium-phosphorus imbalances, vitamin D deficiency or insufficient essential fatty acids are particularly critical.

Low-quality dry food can also have deficiencies or lose important nutrients through oxidation. However, quality manufacturers carry out regular analyses.

Risk of injury: Bones can lead to injuries or blockages if they are the wrong choice or size. Cooked or small bones are particularly problematic.

Chunks of dry food are generally safely shaped, but very small or very large chunks can cause problems.

Safety tip: Regardless of the feeding method, regular veterinary checks and blood tests should be carried out to detect any deficiencies or problems at an early stage.

Scientific studies and evidence

The scientific evidence on both feeding methods is constantly growing. Current studies provide objective insights into the advantages and disadvantages.

Current research results 2024/2025: The University of Guelph published a meta-analysis of 47 studies on BARF and conventional feeding. The results show no clear superiority of one method in terms of health markers.

A German long-term study with 2,500 dogs over 5 years showed similar health results with high-quality implementation of both methods. The decisive factor was the quality of the food, not the form of processing.

Microbiome research: Studies on intestinal flora show clear differences between dogs fed BARF and dry food. BARF dogs often have a higher diversity, but it is unclear whether this automatically means health benefits.

Digestibility studies: Controlled studies show a higher apparent digestibility of proteins in BARF (90-95% vs. 75-85% in dry food). The reverse is true for carbohydrates.

Contamination studies: Systematic studies of BARF products in Europe found increased bacterial counts in 15-25% of samples. With dry food, this rate was 2-5%.

Science shows: Both methods can lead to healthy dog nutrition if they are implemented properly. The quality of the ingredients and the expertise of the dog owner are more important than the feeding method itself.

TL;DR - The most important points at a glance

• Nutrients: Both methods can provide complete nutrition, BARF requires more planning
• Digestion: BARF leads to less feces, both can promote healthy intestinal flora
• Health: No clear scientific superiority of one method
• Practicality: Dry food is much more time-saving and travel-friendly
• Costs: Variable depending on quality, BARF often more expensive in Switzerland
• Safety: BARF has a higher risk of bacteria, both require quality control
• Evidence: Current studies show: Quality more important than processing method

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is BARF healthier than dry food? Scientific studies show no clear superiority. Both methods can lead to a healthy diet if they are implemented to a high standard.

Can I switch between BARF and dry food? Yes, but a gradual change over 1-2 weeks is recommended to avoid digestive problems.

Which method is better for dogs with allergies? Both can help with allergies. BARF allows better control of ingredients, but hypoallergenic dry food also offers solutions.

Is BARF suitable for all dogs? No, immunocompromised dogs, puppies or senior citizens can react more sensitively to bacterial contamination. Veterinary advice is recommended.

How can I recognize high-quality dry food? Look for a high meat content, few artificial additives, transparent ingredient lists and manufacturer standards such as FEDIAF guidelines.

Can both methods be combined? Yes, many dog owners practice mixed feeding. It is important to keep an eye on the overall nutrient balance.

Which method is more environmentally friendly? BARF can be more sustainable if local, organic ingredients are used. However, industrial dry food production often has a smaller CO2 footprint.

Do I need to supplement dry food? High-quality complete dry food should contain all nutrients. Supplements are usually unnecessary and can even be harmful.

How long does it take to switch from dry food to BARF? Plan 2-4 weeks for a gradual changeover. Start with 25% BARF and increase by 25% each week.

How much does BARF cost per year compared to dry food? In Switzerland, BARF costs CHF 1,500-3,000 per year for a medium-sized dog, while high-quality dry food costs CHF 800-1,800.

Conclusion: The right choice for you and your dog

The decision between BARF and dry food is not a question of right or wrong, but rather an individual consideration of various factors. Both feeding methods can lead to a healthy, happy dog diet if they are implemented correctly.

If you are interested in BARF, start with our BARF beginner's guide to understand the basics. For dry food feeding, choose high-quality products from reputable manufacturers.

Consider your lifestyle, available time, budget and your dog's individual needs. A well thought out decision, consistently implemented, is more important than the perfect theoretical solution that doesn't work in practice. Don't be afraid to consult a vet or nutritionist if you are unsure. Your dog's health will benefit from a well-thought-out, high-quality diet - regardless of whether it is raw or processed.