Raw dog food is made using uncooked ingredients such as meat, offal and bone, often alongside other carefully selected ingredients depending on the recipe.

Different types of raw food are available, so it's important to check whether the product you're buying is labelled as a complete food or a complementary food.

A complete raw dog food is formulated to provide all the nutrients your dog needs when fed according to the manufacturer's guidance.

BARF is commonly used to describe Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food feeding.

The principle centres around feeding dogs a varied diet based predominantly on raw animal ingredients, with recipes formulated to provide appropriate nutrition.

There are lots of reasons owners explore raw feeding, from wanting a diet centred around meat and recognisable ingredients to finding a food their dog genuinely enjoys eating.

Ultimately, there's no single diet that's right for every dog. The important thing is choosing an appropriate, nutritionally balanced food that works for your individual dog.

It can be, but not every raw product is.

Always check whether your chosen food is labelled as complete or complementary. A complete food is designed to provide your dog with the nutrients they need as part of their everyday diet, whereas a complementary food needs to be fed alongside other foods.

The right amount depends on your dog's weight, age, activity level, body condition and individual metabolism.

Use the feeding guide provided with your chosen food as your starting point, then monitor your dog's weight and body condition and adjust their portions where necessary.

How often you feed will depend on your dog's age and individual needs.

Puppies can be fed raw from weaning when choosing a food suitable for growth. Young puppies will usually need their daily allowance divided into smaller, more frequent meals, gradually reducing the number of meals as they grow.

Most adult dogs are typically fed once or twice a day, depending on their routine and individual needs.

Always follow the feeding guidance for your chosen raw food and adjust portions according to your dog's age, weight, activity level and body condition.

Yes! Puppies can enjoy raw food from weaning, provided the food is suitable for growing puppies and provides the nutrition they need during this important stage of development.

Puppies will need smaller, more frequent meals than adult dogs, with their daily feeding amount changing as they grow. Always follow the feeding guidance for your chosen raw food and adjust portions according to your puppy's age, weight and development.

Raw feeding isn't exclusively for younger dogs. An appropriate raw diet can be suitable for adult and senior dogs too.

As dogs get older, their activity levels, weight and nutritional needs can change, so portions may need adjusting accordingly.

Every dog is different. Some dogs adapt to their new food quickly, while others and particularly those with sensitive stomachs, may benefit from a more gradual transition.

When introducing any new food, monitor your dog's appetite, stools and general wellbeing while they adjust.

Some owners choose to include different types of food within their dog's overall diet.

If you do combine foods, make sure you're considering your dog's total daily intake so that you don't unintentionally overfeed.

You might be surprised!

Raw food offers different proteins, smells and textures, and experimenting with different recipes can help you discover what gets your dog's tail wagging.

If your dog is particularly fussy, introduce their new food gradually and give them time to become familiar with it.

You may notice changes to your dog's stools when changing their diet, particularly during the transition period.

Give your dog time to adjust and monitor how they're getting on. Persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, blood in the stools or signs that your dog is unwell should always be discussed with your vet.

Keep your raw dog food frozen until you're ready to use it.

Store it separately from food intended for human consumption and always follow the storage instructions provided on the packaging.

The safest way to defrost your dog's food is in the refrigerator.

Place the food in a covered container to prevent juices coming into contact with other foods, and allow it to thaw thoroughly before serving.

Avoid leaving raw food to defrost at room temperature.

This can vary between products, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions provided on the packaging.

Keep defrosted raw food refrigerated until you're ready to serve it.

Always follow the individual manufacturer's instructions regarding refreezing.

If your food has completely defrosted, do not refreeze it and dispose of safely in the bin.

We've thought carefully about getting your raw food from our freezer to yours.

Your frozen products are carefully packed using Woolcool insulated packaging and ice blocks. Woolcool is natural sheep's wool that helps maintain a stable temperature and protect temperature-sensitive products during transit.

Once your order arrives, we recommend unpacking it promptly and transferring your raw food straight into your freezer.

Don't immediately worry if the outside of a product feels slightly softer than expected.

If you're concerned about the temperature or condition of your delivery when it arrives, please contact the Sabre Pet Food team before feeding or refreezing the product and we'll be happy to help.

Raw pet food should be treated with the same care you would use when handling raw meat intended for human consumption.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food, clean preparation surfaces and utensils, and wash your dog's bowl after every meal.

Yes. Wash your dog's bowl thoroughly after every raw meal using hot water and detergent, and keep feeding utensils clean.

Yes. Keep raw pet food appropriately contained and separate from food intended for human consumption during storage, defrosting and preparation.

At Sabre Pet Food Ireland, you'll find DARF Raw Dog Food, produced in the Netherlands by a family business with its roots in professional butchery.

DARF's approach is centred around natural ingredients and BARF-inspired nutrition, with a variety of recipes and proteins available to help you find the right option for your dog.

When you're feeding real, natural ingredients, a little variation is completely normal.

Just as cuts of fresh meat from the butcher don't always look identical, the meat used in raw dog food can naturally vary throughout the year. Season, diet, breed, age and natural changes in an animal's body composition can all influence the colour, texture and fat content of the meat.

You may therefore notice that one batch looks slightly lighter or darker, contains a little more or less visible fat, or has a slightly different texture from the last.

These natural variations are part of using real animal ingredients and don't necessarily indicate a change to the recipe or quality of the food.

If something ever looks or smells unusual rather than simply different, please don't feed it and contact us so we can take a look for you.

Start with your dog.

Consider their age, weight, activity level, preferences and any individual dietary requirements. You can then explore the different recipes and proteins available to find an option that suits them.

If you're unsure where to begin, our team is always happy to help.