Feeding your dog a raw diet can be a great way to ensure they receive natural, nutritious meals, but it’s important to maintain the right balance of ingredients. One of the most popular models for raw feeding is the 80-10-10 prey model rule. This approach mimics what wild dogs eat, consisting of 80% meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ.

For pet owners new to raw feeding, it can be overwhelming to figure out the right portions. Luckily, using a Raw Dog Food Calculator can help youachieve the perfect balance. In this article, we’ll break down the 80-10-10 rule and how you can use it to optimise your dog’s health.

What is the 80-10-10 Prey Model?

The 80-10-10 rule is designed to replicate a dog’s natural diet in the wild. This method emphasises raw meat, bones, and organs in the following proportions:

  • 80% Muscle Meat: This includes any flesh from animals like chicken, beef, or lamb. Muscle meat provides essential protein and amino acids that are crucial for your dog’s overall health.
  • 10% Bone: Raw, edible bones (such as chicken wings or necks) provide calcium and phosphorus, which are vital for strong bones and teeth.
  • 10% Organ Meat: Organs like liver and kidney are packed with nutrients like vitamins A and B, iron, and folic acid, making them a critical part of your dog’s diet.

By following this guideline, you can ensure that your dog’s meals are nutritionally balanced, providing all the necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal health. Adding supplements like omega 3 for dogs can further support their overall well-being and promote a healthy coat and skin.

How to Use a Raw Dog Food Calculator

Figuring out the right portions can be tricky, especially when trying to get the 80-10-10 ratio right. That’s where a Raw Dog Food Calculator comes in handy. These calculators take into account your dog’s weight, activity level, and dietary needs to provide a tailored feeding plan. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Enter Your Dog’s Weight: Most calculators ask for your dog’s weight to determine the total amount of food needed per day.
  2. Adjust for Activity Level: Active dogs may need more food, while older or less active dogs may require less.
  3. Get the Breakdown: The calculator will then give you the exact portions for meat, bone, and organ based on the 80-10-10 rule.

Using a calculator simplifies the process and ensures you’re not overfeeding or underfeeding your dog.

The Importance of a Balanced Raw Diet

While raw feeding offers many benefits, it’s important to get the balance right to avoid nutritional deficiencies or excesses. Feeding too much bone can lead to constipation, while too little can result in calcium deficiencies.

Similarly, organ meat should only make up 10% of the diet, as too much can cause vitamin toxicity, particularly from the liver.

Following the 80-10-10 rule ensures that your dog gets a balanced diet that mimics the nutritional profile of a wild canine’s prey. This balance supports:

  • Healthy bones and teeth due to the right calcium and phosphorus levels from raw bones.
  • Optimal digestion thanks to the high-quality muscle meat.
  • Improved coat health and energy from organ meats packed with vitamins and minerals.

By using a Raw Dog Food Calculator, you can easily maintain this balance and feel confident that your dog is receiving everything they need for a long, healthy life.

Conclusion

The 80-10-10 rule provides a simple yet effective way to feed your dog a balanced raw diet. With the right proportions of meat, bone, and organs, your dog can enjoy a meal that’s natural, nutritious, and delicious. To make raw feeding even easier, use a Raw Dog Food Calculator to ensure your dog is getting the right portions every day. With the right tools and information, you can take the guesswork out of raw feeding and provide your pet with the best nutrition possible.