How much raw food should I feed my dog?

Adult dogs typically eat 2-3% of their body weight in raw food daily. A 20 kg dog eats 400-600g per day. The 80-10-10 ratio breaks this into 80% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bone, 5% liver, and 5% other secreting organs.

Is a raw food diet safe for dogs?

Raw diets carry pathogen risks (Salmonella, E. coli). Safety practices: freeze meat for 2-3 weeks, use human-grade sources, sanitize surfaces after feeding. Raw diets are not recommended for immunocompromised households. Always consult your vet before switching.

What is the 80-10-10 rule in BARF raw feeding?

The 80-10-10 rule is the foundational ratio for BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diets: 80% muscle meat (protein source), 10% raw meaty bone (calcium and phosphorus), 5% liver (vitamin A, B vitamins, iron), and 5% other secreting organs like kidney, spleen, or pancreas (additional micronutrients). For cats, the muscle meat increases to 84% and the liver to 5%, while other organs increase to 10% with 0% vegetables (cats are obligate carnivores and do not require plant matter). This ratio mimics the composition of whole prey animals. Variety is key — rotate protein sources weekly across at least 3-4 different animals (beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, fish) for nutritional completeness.

Is raw food better than kibble for dogs?

This is one of the most debated topics in canine nutrition, and the honest answer is: it depends on the individual dog and owner commitment. Proponents of raw feeding report benefits including shinier coats, healthier skin, smaller/firmer stools, better dental health (from chewing raw bones), and higher energy levels. These improvements likely come from higher moisture content, absence of fillers, and undenatured proteins. However, kibble has clear advantages: it is nutritionally complete and balanced by AAFCO standards (homemade raw diets commonly have calcium/phosphorus imbalances), it's safer for immunocompromised household members (raw meat carries Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli risks), it's dramatically more convenient, and it's far harder to make a dangerous feeding error with kibble. Several peer-reviewed studies have found nutritional deficiencies in 60-90% of homemade raw diets analyzed. The safest raw feeding approach is to follow NRC/FEDIAF guidelines precisely, use our BARF calculator to maintain correct ratios, rotate protein sources, and consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. There is no universal "better" — only what works safely for your dog and your household.

Is BARF raw feeding suitable for beginners?

BARF raw feeding requires careful research and commitment. Beginners should: start with a commercially prepared raw diet to learn safe handling before making homemade food, work with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a balanced recipe, invest in a kitchen scale for precise portioning, freeze meat for 2-3 weeks to reduce parasite risk, and NEVER feed raw diets to immunocompromised pets or in households with immunocompromised humans. Nutritional deficiencies (especially calcium, vitamin D, and taurine) are the most common beginner mistake — our calculator uses the NRC and FEDIAF nutrient standards to help prevent this. Transition gradually over 7-10 days, starting with 25% new food mixed with 75% old food.

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BARF Raw Feeding Calculator

Calculate precise daily raw feeding portions based on your pet's weight and species. Uses the 80-10-10 BARF model.

Target Weight (kg)

Daily Feeding %

2.5%

Typical: 2–3% of body weight daily

Key Knowledge

What Is the BARF Diet?

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) feeds dogs and cats raw muscle meat, bones, and organs — replicating the ancestral wild diet. BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is a raw feeding model developed by Dr. Ian Billinghurst. It aims to replicate the ancestral diet of dogs and cats: raw muscle meat, raw meaty bones, organ meats, and a small amount of vegetation (for dogs). The core philosophy: feed what a wild canid/felid would eat — unprocessed, species-appropriate, and free of grains and fillers.

Source: NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs

The 80-10-10 Ratio Explained

Dogs: 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% other organs. Cats: 75% meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 10% organs. Liver must never exceed 5%. For dogs on BARF: 80% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bone, 5% liver, 5% other secreting organs (kidney, spleen, pancreas). For cats: 75% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 10% other organs (no vegetables needed). The 80-10-10 ratio targets calcium:phosphorus balance (1.2:1 to 1.4:1) and essential micronutrients from organ meats. Liver must not exceed 5% — excess vitamin A causes toxicity.

Source: FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines

Raw Feeding Safety Guidelines

Raw meat carries Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter risks. Freeze 2-3 weeks before feeding, use human-grade sources, sanitize all surfaces. Raw feeding carries pathogen risks — Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and Listeria are found in commercial and homemade raw diets. Safety practices: (1) Freeze meat for 2-3 weeks before feeding to reduce parasite load, (2) Use human-grade meat from trusted sources, (3) Sanitize all surfaces/bowls immediately after feeding, (4) Wash hands thoroughly, (5) Immunocompromised household members should avoid handling raw pet food.

Source: AVMA Raw Diet Position Statement

Bone-to-Meat Ratio and Calcium Balance

10% raw meaty bone provides the critical calcium:phosphorus ratio. Never feed cooked bones — they splinter. Chicken necks (~40% bone) are a common source. Raw meaty bone provides calcium and phosphorus — the most critical mineral balance in a raw diet. Too little bone = calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease. Too much bone = constipation and mineral imbalance. The 10% bone ratio targets 10-15% of total dietary calcium. Chicken necks (~40% bone), duck necks (~50% bone), and turkey necks (~40% bone) are common BARF bone sources. Never feed cooked bones — they splinter.

Source: NRC Mineral Requirements for Dogs

Data verified by petsMetrics using peer-reviewed veterinary sources. Citations: ASPCA, AVMA, AAFP. Last reviewed: 2026.

The Science Behind the BARF Raw Feeding Calculator

Our calculator implements the 80-10-10 BARF model benchmarked against NRC (2006) and FEDIAF nutrient requirements for dogs and cats. Daily food quantity = TargetWeight(kg) × feeding_percentage × 1000g. For dogs: MuscleMeat = total × 0.80, Bone = total × 0.10, Liver = total × 0.05, OtherOrgans = total × 0.05, Vegetables = total × 0.10. For cats: MuscleMeat = total × 0.75, Bone = total × 0.10, Liver = total × 0.05, OtherOrgans = total × 0.10, Vegetables = 0. The feeding percentage typically ranges from 2% (weight maintenance) to 3% (active/working) of body weight. Liver is capped at 5% to prevent hypervitaminosis A.

References: NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006); FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines— via petsMetrics

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Related Comparison

Raw Diet vs Kibble for Dogs: Science, Safety & Cost Compared

NRC, AVMA

An objective comparison of BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diets and commercial kibble — covering nutritional completeness, bacterial risks, dental benefits, and practical feasibility. Based on AVMA, NRC, and peer-reviewed research.

Read the Full Comparison →