BARF Costs per Month 2026: Prices by Dog Size
In 2026, the average cost of BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) for a medium-sized dog was €75 per month, ranging from €30 to €220 depending on the dog's size, type of meat, and feeding quantity. This does not include supplements such as mineral and herbal mixes, as well as natural chew treats, which many BARF feeders budget an additional €15 to €25 per month for.
- BARF costs per month in 2026 range between 30 and 220 euros, depending on the size of the dog and the amount of food fed.
- A medium-sized dog (10-25 kg) costs on average 50 to 100 euros to feed a BARF diet per month.
- The daily amount of food is 2 to 3 percent of body weight – the basis of every cost calculation.
- Supplements such as mineral and herbal mixtures are often missing from basic calculations and cost extra.
- Ready-made BARF menus simplify portioning compared to self-prepared raw food.
Why this is important
Switching to BARF not only changes the food bowl, but also the monthly budget. Those who only calculate the cost of the meat itself overlook offal, supplements, and chew toys that are part of a complete raw food diet. Masterfeed carries minced BARF complete meals and natural chew items that can be included in a cost calculation without you having to weigh each ingredient individually.
The costs depend almost exclusively on three variables: the dog's body weight, the daily food quantity as a percentage of its weight, and the type of meat chosen. An 8 kg dog eats significantly less than a 35 kg dog – this explains the difference between 30 and 220 euros per month.
What will BARF cost per month in 2026?
The costs scale directly with the dog's body weight and the chosen daily ration. The following table shows the realistic range for 2026, calculated based on the common feeding recommendation of 2 to 3 percent of body weight per day.
| Dog size | Weight | Daily ration (2-3%) | BARF costs per month in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | up to 10 kg | 200-300 g | 30-50 € |
| medium | 10-25 kg | 300-650 g | 50-100 € |
| Big | 25-40 kg | 650-1.000 g | 100-160 € |
| Very large | over 40 kg | over 1,000 g | 160-220 € |
The price range within each weight class depends primarily on the type of meat: beef and chicken are at the lower end, while venison, horse, or salmon drive the price up. Those who want to calculate their daily ration more precisely can find guidelines in the BARF Calculator 2026 from Masterfeed.
Small dog: 30 to 50 euros per month
For dogs up to 10 kg, a daily ration of 200 to 300 grams of raw meat, offal and vegetables is sufficient. For small dogs, the monthly BARF costs in 2026 will mostly remain below 50 euros., as long as cheaper meats such as beef or chicken make up the majority.
Medium-sized dog: 50 to 100 euros per month
The majority of owners feed dogs weighing between 10 and 25 kg – here, the daily ration is between 300 and 650 grams. This group pays an average of 75 euros per month, with higher costs for dogs that use game or salmon as their main protein source.
Large dog: 100 to 160 euros per month
From a body weight of 25 kg, the daily ration increases to 650 grams to 1 kilogram. The monthly costs for BARF then range between 100 and 160 euros, depending on whether cheaper or more expensive meats are predominantly used.
Very large dog: 160 to 220 euros per month
Dogs over 40 kg, such as Great Danes or Saint Bernards, need over 1 kilogram of raw food daily. The monthly cost of BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) in 2026 reached 160 to 220 euros, often supplemented by additional chew toys for enrichment.
Why BARF costs vary
- Dog size and weight – the largest single factor, directly proportional to the amount of feed
- Activity level Sporting and working dogs need up to 4 percent of their body weight in padding instead of the usual 2 to 3 percent.
- Type of meat Beef and chicken are cheaper than venison, horse, or salmon.
- Supplements – Mineral and herbal mixtures are usually a separate item in self-prepared BARF diets.
- Source – Specialty retailers with pre-portioned meals differ in price from buying loose meat at the butcher's.
- Packaging size – Larger packages often reduce the price per kilogram
“The amount of food is the biggest cost factor in BARF, not the type of meat.”
Ready-made BARF meals with vegetables cover meat, vegetables, and herbs in one portion, thus simplifying monthly budgeting compared to self-assembly of individual components. Horse with vegetables menu It provides a pre-balanced daily ration in one package, eliminating the need to purchase meat, vegetables, and herb mix separately.
Is BARF more expensive than dry food?
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) generally costs more than kibble because fresh meat is more expensive per kilogram than dried pellets. The €30 to €220 monthly cost of BARF is higher than a comparable kibble budget for most dog sizes, but an exact comparison depends heavily on the kibble brand chosen.
How much BARF does a dog need per day?
A dog needs 2 to 3 percent of its body weight in BARF raw food daily; puppies and active dogs need up to 4 percent. For a 20 kg dog, this equates to 400 to 600 grams per day, divided into two meals.
What all is included in the BARF costs?
The costs of a BARF diet include not only the meat itself, but also offal, bones or substitutes, vegetables, oils, and mineral and herb mixes. Many owners budget an additional 15 to 25 euros per month for natural chew treats to supplement the main ration.
FAQ
How much does BARF cost per day?
BARF costs between 1 and 7 euros per day, depending on the size of the dog – this results in a monthly range of 30 to 220 euros for 2026.
How much does BARF cost for a large dog?
A large dog (25-40 kg) costs between 100 and 160 euros per month for BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), while for very large dogs over 40 kg the costs rise to between 160 and 220 euros.
Is BARF cheaper than wet food?
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is usually priced between dry food and high-quality wet food. A general comparison depends heavily on the chosen brand and type of meat.
How can I reduce BARF costs?
BARF costs can be reduced by buying larger packages in bulk and choosing more affordable meats like beef or chicken instead of venison or salmon. Avoiding expensive premixes in favor of combining ingredients yourself saves even more.
Do I need additional supplements for BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)?
Yes, a complete BARF diet usually requires mineral and herbal mixes to meet calcium and trace element needs. This adds a few euros to the monthly cost.
How much BARF does a puppy need?
Puppies need up to 4 percent of their body weight in BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) daily, more than the 2 to 3 percent required by adult dogs. This increases the monthly costs during the growth phase.
Are complete BARF meals more expensive than self-prepared BARF?
Ready-made BARF complete meals usually cost between €30 and €220 per month. However, they save time compared to weighing meat, vegetables, and supplements yourself.
One last thing
The biggest factor in BARF costs isn't the type of meat, but the quantity of food. Switching from 3 to 2.5 percent of body weight saves several kilograms of meat per 20 kg dog over the year without causing nutritional deficiencies – as long as activity level and weight remain stable. Regularly adjusting the ration to the dog's actual weight, rather than setting a fixed amount once, avoids the most common cause of unnecessarily high monthly BARF costs in 2026.
