Barbara Rivers, Author at K9sOverCoffee

Author name: Barbara Rivers

Barbara Rivers is the founder of K9sOverCoffee and a raw feeding educator with over a decade of hands-on experience. She has fed raw in the US and Europe since 2015, after her Boxer mix Missy’s cancer diagnosis led her to move away from processed kibble and commit to species-appropriate nutrition. As a former professional dog walker, she developed deep insight into canine behavior, conditioning, and the essential link between proper exercise and long-term health. Barbara completed online training with veterinarian Dr. Marion Smart and Labrador breeder Dana Scott and works for one of Germany’s leading raw dog food brands, BARFER’S. In 2026–2027, she is completing a year-long raw nutrition certification for dogs and cats at THP School, founded by raw feeding pioneer Swanie Simon. Through her blog and weekly newsletter, she provides clear, experience-based guidance to help dog owners feed raw safely and confidently.

Two stainless steel dog bowls are filled with homemade raw dog food. Text overlay reads "How to help your dog lose weight with raw feeding" and "K9sOverCoffee.com"

How to Help Overweight Dogs Lose Weight with Raw Feeding

Barbara Rivers / September 20, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Yes, you can help overweight dogs lose weight with raw feeding, but not because raw food magically burns fat. It

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Raw dog food bowl with organ meats, veggies, and a meaty bone next to a scale, with text overlay "Red Meat vs White Meat in Raw Feeding for Dogs" and "K9sOverCoffee.com"

Red Meat vs White Meat in Raw Dog Food

Barbara Rivers / August 14, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Red meat and white meat each bring something different to a raw feeding rotation, from iron and zinc to lean protein and Omega-3s. Here’s what separates them, and how to build a smarter weekly protein rotation for your dog.

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Raw dog food meal with ground meat, sardines, and eggshells for iodine and calcium, titled "How to Add Iodine to Raw Dog Food Diets

Iodine in Raw Dog Food Diets: Why Your Dog Might Be Falling Short

Barbara Rivers / August 2, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Most raw fed dogs are missing a nutrient that never even makes the ingredient list: iodine. Thyroid tissue holds most of a prey animal’s iodine, and it is deliberately left out of BARF diets for safety, which leaves a real gap behind. Here’s how to calculate your dog’s actual iodine requirement.

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Stainless steel bowl with ground muscle meat, green tripe, and a whole sardine as a raw dog food meal for a dog transitioning from kibble

How to Transition Your Dog to Raw Dog Food Step-by-Step

Barbara Rivers / June 28, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Transitioning your dog to raw dog food is one of the most rewarding things you can do for their long-term

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Black Labrador Pepper lying on the kitchen floor behind a stainless steel slow feeder bowl filled with raw dog food ingredients, with the title "Raw Feeding My 12 Month Old Labrador Puppy: Birthday Edition" and K9sOverCoffee.com

Raw Feeding My 12 Month Old Labrador Puppy: Happy Birthday, Pepper!

Barbara Rivers / May 31, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Pepper officially turned one! In this update, I cover her new adult feeding percentage of 2.5%, walk through a sample meal, and look back at her first year.

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Wally, a Feist mix, and Pepper, a black Labrador puppy, lying on a wooden floor next to two raw dog food bowls prepared for an 11 month old Labrador puppy, with the title "Raw Feeding My 11 Month Labrador Puppy: More Travels & Diarrhea" and K9sOverCoffee.com

Raw Feeding My 11 Month Old Labrador Puppy: More Travels & Diarrhea

Barbara Rivers / May 3, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Pepper is 11 months old, weighs 26 kg, and is eating 100 g less of daily raw dog food than last month. This update covers her adjusted meal plan, our trip to the Danish coast, and an emergency vet visit on Easter Sunday.

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