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.

Dog poop color chart blog header showing brown dog stool on wood chips for raw-fed dogs. Text overlay reads "K9sOVerCoffee.com"

Dog Poop Color Chart: What’s Normal for Raw-Fed Dogs?

Barbara Rivers / April 19, 2026 / Homemade Raw

A simple dog poop color chart for raw-fed dogs—what’s normal, what’s diet-related, and when to worry.

Homemade Raw

Whole prey duck for dogs placed on a kitchen scale, prepared for raw feeding in a home kitchen. Text overlay reads: "Whole prey duck for dogs" and K9sOverCoffee.com

Whole Prey Duck for Dogs: What It Looks Like (and Why I Feed It)

Barbara Rivers / March 22, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Can dogs eat a whole prey duck? In this post, I show what it looks like when my dogs eat a whole duck and explain the benefits of whole prey feeding, including bones, organs, feathers, and gizzards.

Homemade Raw

Black Labrador puppy Pepper next to a raw dog food bowl with chicken wings, organs and quail eggs for a 10 month old Labrador puppy, with the title “Raw Feeding My 10 Month Old Labrador Puppy: Lots of Firsts” and K9sOverCoffee.com on the image

Raw Feeding My 10 Month Old Labrador Puppy: Lots of Firsts

Barbara Rivers / March 15, 2026 / Homemade Raw

Pepper is now a 10 month old Labrador puppy eating 800 g (28 oz) of raw food per day. In this monthly update, I’m sharing her current meal plan, diet adjustments, and a few memorable milestones.

Homemade Raw

Raw dog food meal with whole fish in a slow feeder while a liquid is being poured over it — text overlay reads “How to Rebuild Your Dog’s Gut After Antibiotics” and K9sOverCoffee.com

How to Rebuild Your Dog’s Gut After Antibiotics

Barbara Rivers / March 8, 2026 / Homemade Raw

After surgery and five days of antibiotics, Wally’s gut microbiome needed time to recover. Here’s how I supported his gut health.

Homemade Raw

Dog standing in a veterinary clinic with text overlay reading “Wally swallowed a squeaker – what happened after 2 months”

My Dog Swallowed a Squeaker: 2 Months Later He Needed Emergency Surgery

Barbara Rivers / March 1, 2026 / Homemade Raw

My dog Wally swallowed a squeaker and seemed completely fine for two months. Then came vomiting, shaking, and emergency surgery for a partial intestinal blockage. Here’s what I almost missed, what the surgery cost, and what I fed during recovery.

Homemade Raw

Black Labrador puppy licking lips next to raw dog food slow feeder bowl with duck, fish, raw meaty bones and organ meat, minerals, focus on less bone and more meat

Raw Feeding My 9 Month Old Labrador Puppy: Less Bone, More Meat

Barbara Rivers / February 15, 2026 / Homemade Raw

At 9 months old, Labrador puppy Pepper is transitioning toward adult raw feeding ratios. In this update, I reduced her bone percentage and explain the math in oz and g.

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