Experiences with BARF: Species-appropriate nutrition for better health

The BARF success story of Flöhchen, a 14-year-old female European Shorthair, neutered and allowed outdoors

Flöhchen’s owner contacted cat expert Petra von Quillfeldt to ask whether a change in diet could improve Flöhchen’s well-being and state of health.

1) Initial situation

The following initial situation was present: Based on Flöhchen’s medical history and two blood tests showing several abnormal values, the veterinarian made the following diagnoses:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Liver dysfunction
• Suspected renal insufficiency
• Chronic inflammation of the stomach lining

The veterinarian subsequently treated Flöhchen with medication for renal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism and vomiting. At the same time, her diet was changed to Kattovit renal diet wet food and Hill’s dry food, supplemented by one additional wet food and one additional dry food. She was also given raw meat, egg yolk, cat milk and malt paste several times a week.

Despite these measures, Flöhchen’s health continued to deteriorate. Her daily water intake increased to 500 ml, while her morning vomiting became more frequent rather than less frequent. She also developed proteinuria, meaning that she excreted more than 150 mg of protein per day. Although another blood test showed that some values had improved, the thyroid value remained significantly too high, the phosphate value was borderline high and an elevated urea value had newly developed.

The high fluid intake, borderline phosphate value, elevated urea value and vomiting indicated that the condition of her kidneys was deteriorating.

According to her owner, Flöhchen’s condition at that time was as follows:
“She drinks a great deal. She sleeps a lot, often so deeply that she no longer notices anything around her – this was different in the past. She vomits very frequently in the morning on an empty stomach – almost exclusively grass and reddish fluid (blood?). Flöhchen has very little interest in playing, is apathetic and lies in cool places.”

2) Assessment by expert Petra von Quillfeldt

Petra von Quillfeldt assessed Flöhchen’s diet at the time as follows: The combination of dry food, renal diet wet food and Hill’s y/d as a thyroid diet did not meet the requirements of her two chronic conditions, renal insufficiency and hyperthyroidism. In particular, her daily iodine intake was far too high considering her elevated thyroid levels. At the time, her daily food contained approximately 322 myg per daily portion. The high iodine levels were caused by the renal diet food. In addition, the diet contained a very high proportion of grains and carbohydrates, placing further strain on her metabolism and digestion.

Furthermore, her intake of animal protein was far too low. Since cats do not obtain their energy from carbohydrates in the same way as other mammals, but instead from protein, they depend on a continuous supply of animal protein. The dry food and Hill’s y/d both contained an extremely high proportion of plant-based protein, placing additional strain on the kidneys.

3) Switching to a BARF diet

Following the expert’s recommendation, Flöhchen’s diet was completely changed to raw meat with supplements (BARF). From this point onwards, her diet consisted of high-quality, easily digestible animal proteins with a reduced phosphorus content, increased fat content, no carbohydrates and a significantly reduced iodine intake.

To achieve this, Petra von Quillfeldt developed four individual BARF recipes for Flöhchen, which were fed alternately. All other food components she had previously been given were consistently removed from her diet.

4) Further progress & treatment

Alongside the change in diet, SUC therapy, a complex homeopathic treatment, was initiated. A four-week course of a milk thistle supplement was also administered to support liver function. Just one month later, the owner provided the first positive feedback: “Flöhchen is already doing much better. Her coat no longer has such a strong smell. She now only has a bowel movement once a day instead of twice, and it no longer smells as unpleasant.”

Another month later, the owner reported that Flöhchen’s vomiting was becoming less frequent. Two weeks later, she wrote: “Vomiting is no longer an issue! Her water intake is decreasing as well, and she is urinating much less. Previously, she urinated five times during the day and three times at night; now it is only three times during the day and once at night. Today, she even became playful and climbed up a tree!”

Over the following months, Flöhchen’s health continued to improve. An early follow-up blood test was avoided because Flöhchen had to be placed under anaesthesia each time. During her check-ups, the veterinarian was very pleased with her condition and praised her healthy appearance.

Almost one year after the change in diet and the start of the accompanying treatments, the annual blood test was performed with an outstanding result: all of Flöhchen’s values were within the normal range!

5) Conclusion

With the help of the individual recipes created by cat expert Petra von Quillfeldt, it was possible to determine the types and quantities of all food components that had a positive effect on Flöhchen’s health and to select the appropriate meats and supplements for her. Once Flöhchen had been switched exclusively to a BARF diet, without any other treats or additional foods such as milk or egg, a significant improvement in her well-being was observed within just two months. This improvement continued steadily over the following months.

This is what the cat expert herself says about this success story: “I am repeatedly amazed by the positive effects that switching from industrially produced food to a diet consisting exclusively of raw meat (BARF) can have on our cats!” – Petra von Quillfeldt

It can therefore be concluded that a raw meat diet is the best form of prevention for keeping your cat healthy for a long time! The Fix-BARF® complete meals, all of which have been individually formulated by Petra von Quillfeldt to meet nutritional requirements, are also suitable for healthy cats. She has additionally developed suitable complete meals for cats with special needs, such as hyperthyroidism, renal insufficiency and allergies. These make it exceptionally easy to provide your cat with a healthy, species-appropriate diet and support its continued well-being.

With this in mind, we wish you good health and many more success stories like this one!