Raw Dog Food: BARF, 80/10/10 & Prey Model — A Complete Beginner's Guide

✍️ Dr. Sarah Mitchell , DVM 📅 Updated March 22, 2026 ⏱ 8 min read

Raw feeding has grown from a niche movement into a significant segment of pet nutrition. The two most popular frameworks — BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, sometimes called Bones and Raw Food) and Prey Model Raw (PMR) — both aim to mimic a dog's ancestral diet, but differ in their approach to plant matter.

What does 80/10/10 mean in raw dog food?

The 80/10/10 rule is the foundation of Prey Model Raw (PMR) feeding. The three numbers refer to the ratio of muscle meat, raw edible bone, and organ meat that makes up your dog's daily raw food portion. 80% is muscle meat — this includes heart, which is classified as muscle despite being an organ. 10% is raw edible bone — chicken necks, wings, and carcasses are common choices; bone provides calcium, phosphorus, and acts as a natural tooth cleaner. 10% is organ meat — exactly half of this (5% of total diet) must be liver, which is nutritionally irreplaceable; the remaining 5% comes from secreting organs like kidney, spleen, or pancreas.

The ratio matters because it roughly mirrors the composition of whole prey animals — what dogs evolved eating before domestication. Unlike kibble, which achieves balance in every single meal, raw feeding achieves balance over time: you rotate proteins week to week (chicken, beef, lamb, pork, rabbit) so that the nutritional profile evens out across days rather than per bowl.

The 80/10/10 ratio isn't a recipe for every meal — it's a target you hit over weeks by rotating proteins. A chicken day, a beef day, a lamb organ day. Balance comes from variety over time, not perfection in every bowl.

If you follow the BARF method instead of Prey Model, the ratio shifts slightly to 70/10/10/10 — 70% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ, and 10% plant matter such as vegetables, fruit, and eggs. Use the calculator above to switch between BARF and Prey Model and see how your dog's portions change.

BARF vs. Prey Model Raw: Understanding the Two Frameworks

Raw feeding is not one-size-fits-all. Two distinct frameworks dominate the raw feeding community, and they disagree on one key question: whether dogs benefit from plant matter in their diet.

BARF — 70/10/10/10 ratio

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) operates on a 70/10/10/10 ratio: 70% muscle meat (including heart), 10% raw edible bone, 10% secreting organ (5% liver + 5% other organ such as kidney, spleen, or pancreas), and 10% plant matter — vegetables, fruit, eggs, and sometimes raw dairy. The inclusion of vegetables reflects the position that dogs benefit from the prebiotics, antioxidants, and micronutrients found in plant foods.

Prey Model Raw — 80/10/10 ratio

PMR operates on an 80/10/10 ratio: 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, and 10% organ. No plant matter. PMR advocates argue that dogs do not need — or efficiently digest — plant matter. The 80/10/10 ratio attempts to mirror the composition of a whole prey animal.

Both approaches have passionate supporters. Neither has a definitive long-term clinical trial comparing outcomes. Your choice depends on your philosophical approach to canine nutrition and your practical ability to source and balance components

The 2–3% Rule: Starting Point for Adult Dogs

The foundational guideline for raw feeding adult dogs is to feed 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day in total raw food. A 50 lb adult dog at moderate activity needs approximately 1–1.5 lbs of raw food daily.

Use 2% as your starting point and observe your dog's body condition over 4–6 weeks. If they are losing weight, increase to 2.5%. If they are gaining excess fat, reduce toward 1.5%. The 2–3% rule is a starting point, not a permanent prescription.

Common Raw Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Feeding only muscle meat

Muscle meat alone does not constitute a balanced raw diet. Without bone, you deprive your dog of calcium. Without organ, you miss critical fat-soluble vitamins and trace minerals. All three components serve a distinct nutritional role.

Overfeeding liver

Liver is the most nutrient-dense organ in a raw diet — an excellent source of Vitamin A, B vitamins, and iron. However, feeding too much causes Vitamin A toxicity. Limit liver to 5% of the total daily raw food intake.

Skipping the transition period

Switching a dog from kibble to raw cold-turkey often causes digestive upset. Transition over 7–14 days by gradually replacing kibble with increasing amounts of raw food.

Not varying protein sources

Rotating between chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, and fish provides a broader micronutrient profile than a single-protein diet. Aim to rotate proteins every few weeks once your dog has settled into the raw diet.