How to Calculate 80 10 10 for Raw Fed Dogs

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Raw feeders are told to feed at least 10% organ meat – 5% liver and 5% secreting organs. But do we know why? 80/10/10 is an average, an arbitrary number someone came up with when breaking down the makeup of a prey animal. I've tried to figure out who came up with it first, but I think that is lost in Raw Feeding History, and to be honest, it's not important. But the ratio persists with experienced and new raw feeders, so let's discuss developing a healthy diet using 80/10/10 as a foundation.

Main Points…

• 80/10/10 isn't nutritionally complete, although each component brings nutrients to the bowl.
• Organs that don't secrete a substance are fed as muscle meat.
• A base mix can fill in any nutritional gaps in an 80/10/10 diet.

What is 80/10/10 in Raw Feeding?

The 80:10:10 diet presents a raw food plan that consists of 80% meat, 10% bone, 5% offal, and 5% liver, which offers dogs many of the essential nutrients they require. By following this diet, my dogs receive the start of a balanced nutrition plan through raw feeding, but 80/10/10 alone is not a complete diet for dogs.

How to Calculate 80/10/10

After over a decade of feeding raw, I feel comfortable measuring 80/10/10 visually when planning my meal prep. In the beginning, I used a calculator.

To calculate the amount of each component in a meal prep using 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, and 5% secreting organs, you can use the following formula:

• For a 1-pound raw dog food:
  • Muscle meat: 0.8 pounds (80% of 1 pound)
  • Bone: 0.1 pounds (10% of 1 pound)
  • Liver: 0.05 pounds (5% of 1 pound)
  • Secreting organs: 0.05 pounds (5% of 1 pound)

Adjust these calculations based on the total weight of the mix you are preparing. To calculate what I need, I use the above numbers as follows:

Is 80/10/10 a Complete Diet for Dogs?

The growing interest in meal formulation and a better understanding of the micro and macronutrients in raw dog food has shown us that the 80:10:10 ratio is insufficient to meet the dietary requirements of contemporary dogs. Essential nutrients and vitamins, including Omega 3s, Zinc, Magnesium, Manganese, Iodine, Vitamin E, and Vitamin D, are not adequately provided for in this ratio. As such, it is necessary to consider incorporating these nutrients into the dog's diet for optimal nutrition and health.

Additional Foods Required for an 80/10/10 Diet

I add the following foods to my dogs' diet to do ensure I'm meeting their nutritional needs:

• raw feeding base mix
• raw eggs
• canned boiled oysters
• salmon oil and salmon/fish oil
• salmon, sardines, and mackerel
• kelp
• green leafy greens and other vegetables

When calculating the 80/10/10, I'm using an estimate. I don't use a calculator or software program. 80/10/10 isn't based on science; it's a guess made, possibly in a casual conversation. So, I don't feel the need to commit to these percentages; each of my homemade blends varies in the amount of muscle meat, organ, and bone.

80% Muscle Meat

Benefits of Feeding Raw Meat to Dogs

The inclusion of meat in a dog's diet is an essential requirement for their overall well-being and immunity. Raw muscle meats are an ideal source of high-quality, easily digestible protein – the fundamental building blocks contributing to good health. Additionally, raw meat proteins are packed with a host of amino acids, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals that are typically lost during the cooking process in heavily processed meat products.

By incorporating various fresh meat proteins in my dogs' diet, I ensure they receive an array of micronutrients, further boosting their overall health and vitality.

I feed a variety of proteins to my dogs; the following are the most common proteins I alternate weekly in my dogs' raw diet:

• duck
• pork
• quail
• beef
• chicken
• rabbit

I also feed fish as a protein, but rarely as the main protein in a meal.

Organ Meat that's Fed as Muscle Meat

The following organs don't secret a substance and are fed as muscle meat:

• heart
• lung
• gizzard
• tongue
• trachea
• green tripe (not bleached tripe)
• brain

Although these are fed as muscle meat, they aren't meant to fill the 80% slot of an 80/10/10 diet. I've learned that feeding too much heart, lung, and green tripe may lead to gas and diarrhea in some dogs. And while nutritious, these cuts of meat don't have enough nutrients to be cast as the star in a dog's raw diet. But they make great co-stars, and I often mix several of these items into my dogs' diet.

10% Organ Meat

Although the 80/10/10 ratio tells us to feed our dogs a diet of 10% organ meat, some believe in feeding more. I float around the 15% mark for my dogs because too much can lead to loose stools.

Benefits of Feeding Liver to Dogs

Liver is an exceptional source of nutrients and outperforms other “superfoods” in terms of overall nutrient density. Per ounce, liver contains an impressive concentration of vitamins and minerals, making it incredibly beneficial for dogs.

Vitamin B12

One of the most significant advantages of feeding raw liver to your dog is its high vitamin B12 content. This vitamin is critical for red blood cell formation, cellular function, the nervous system, metabolism, and cognitive health.

Vitamin A

Liver is an excellent source of vitamin A, which is essential for vision, eye, skin, and thyroid health, strong bones, gene regulation, cell differentiation, and immune function. The vitamin A found in liver is the active form (retinol), which can be directly utilized by the body, unlike plant-based vitamin A, which must first be converted. Dogs cannot fully digest and convert plant matter, so incorporating organ meat into their raw diet is crucial.

Other Nutrients

Liver is also an excellent option for dogs with anemia, as it contains iron, an essential nutrient for overcoming this condition and treating symptoms such as low energy and neurological issues. Liver is also a rich source of vitamin B6, biotin, and folate.

Sourcing Raw Liver for Raw Fed Dogs

The liver plays a crucial role in filtering and detoxifying the blood. During this process, various substances, including prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical flea and tick medications, vaccines, and other toxins, are broken down in the liver. This mechanism aims to purify the blood and eliminate harmful toxins from the body.

Because of the liver's detoxing duties in animals, sourcing of the organs we feed to our dogs is important. I avoid animals that are subjected to hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals.

What are Secreting Organs in Raw Feeding?

Secreting organs play a vital role in synthesizing essential substances that the body requires. These substances are then either directly released into the bloodstream or transported via ducts. These organs help maintain the body's metabolic and physiological balance by performing this crucial function.

The following is a list of secreting organs commonly fed as part of a raw diet:

• kidney* – removes waste and excess fluid from the system
• spleen* – removes damaged and dead red blood cells from the system
• pancreas – produces digestive enzymes
• thymus – supports the immune system
• testicles* – produces testosterone
• ovaries – produces estrogen and progesterone

Because I can't consistently source secreting organs, or I have to buy them individually, by the case (30-40 lbs), it's easier to use an organ mix. The one that I use is from grass-fed cows.

*Secreting organs I feed to my dogs.

Benefits of Feeding Secreting Organs to Dogs

Emphasizing nutrient-dense foods, such as organ meats, is crucial to guaranteeing our and our pets' intake of essential vitamins and minerals for optimal health.

Modern agricultural practices have led to a decline in the nutritional values of meat and vegetation. Adding more organ meat to a dog's raw diet provides more vitamins and minerals that have been lost in highly processed diets that use low-quality, synthetic ingredients.

Sourcing Secreting Organs for Raw Fed Dogs

I source most of my organs from a local raw food co-op and local farms. Other sources for secreting organs include:

• ethnic grocery stores
• restaurant supply stores
• Raw Paws Pet Food

Nutrients in Organ (and Adjacent) Meat

• Brain: the brain contains an equal amount of protein and fat. Interestingly, the fatty acid concentration in raw brains sets them apart from other organs. In fact, raw brain is a fantastic source of DHA and a highly recommended animal-based ingredient for dogs that need to avoid fish or seafood in their diet.

• Heart: it is important not to skip the heart when feeding raw, as it is classified as muscle meat and contains a high level of bioavailable taurine.

• Kidney: beef kidney is a rich source of B vitamins and selenium. When compared to other organ meats, it is particularly high in vitamin D. Pork kidney is an alternative; it has nearly 50% more selenium but half the B vitamins of beef kidney.

• Pancreas: pancreas provides digestive enzymes; however, it's a pain to prepare and difficult for some to source. Therefore, I prefer the porcine pancreas supplement from Enzyme Diane.

• Spleen: the spleen is a rich source of iron and the amino acid tryptophan. This makes it a great addition to the raw diets of growing puppies. However, it can be challenging to source spleen since it's not widely available in local ethnic markets. Luckily, I've managed to find some from local farms in my area.

• Testicles: besides testosterone and other sex hormones, testicles contain B vitamins, including vitamin B12. However, I'm a bit hesitant to feed testicles to my female dogs and would rather give them ovaries. Unfortunately, I haven't found a reliable source for ovaries, and I am still undecided about whether to pursue this option.

10% Bone

Benefits of Feeding Bone to Dogs

Raw Meaty Bones Promote Better Oral Health

Proper oral care is crucial for preventing periodontal disease and maintaining healthy teeth and gums in pets. While brushing their teeth daily is highly recommended, the most effective way to remove plaque buildup is by offering dogs raw meaty bone. Plaque is difficult to eliminate from teeth due to the protective barrier created by dental bacteria, known as biofilm, which cannot be penetrated by water, toothpaste, or other oral products. Traditional brushing redistributes the plaque, leaving bacteria and plaque behind.

Raw bones contain natural enzymes that break down the biofilm. When my dogs chew on the bone, the plaque is gently scraped off their teeth. To help expedite this process, I use an oral dental spray that softens the plaque over time.

Raw Meaty Bones Satisfy a Dog's Chew Drive

In addition to promoting dental health, raw meaty bones offer an enjoyable activity for adult dogs and provide a suitable chewing outlet for puppies. A dog's need to chew combats boredom and calms anxiety, and chewing on raw bones helps develop jaw, skull, neck, and shoulder muscles properly.

Raw Meaty Bones are Key in a Raw Diet

Another important aspect of feeding raw bones is the nutritional benefits they provide. Raw meaty bones and the marrow inside are natural sources of protein, fat, minerals, calcium, and phosphorus. Raw meaty bones can be fed as a portion of the meal or as a meal itself.

Sourcing Raw Meaty Bones for Dogs

Raw meaty bones can be found at local grocery stores, ethnic markets, local farms, raw food co-ops, and independent pet stores. And some commercial brands offer raw meaty bones.

My Preferred Raw Meaty Bones

I try to feed raw meaty bones daily. I include them in my dogs' light morning meals, feed them as a midday snack some days, and feed them on a modified fasting day. My preferred raw meaty bones are:

• duck necks
• duck feet
• duck necks
• duck frames
• quail
• cornish game hens

Warnings About Raw Meaty Bones

Understanding the following “rules” has helped keep my dogs safe when enjoying their raw bones:

1 – Never feed cooked (roasted, baked, smoked) bones to dogs; the heat hardens the bones and splinters easily when chewed.

2—Although bones are digestible, this doesn't mean that they will dissolve in the gut. I have only seen bone fragments in stool once in ten years, but my dogs have regurgitated bone fragments. They do this when the bones aren't being digested, and it irritates their gut. My dogs never showed any sign of illness before or after regurgitating bones.

3 – Not all bones are for all dogs. I chose bones based on a dog's chewing style, which I learned through trial and error by monitoring my dogs while they enjoyed their bones.

4 – Never feed weight-bearing bones of large animals because they may be too hard for some dogs, increasing the risk of a broken tooth.

5 – Never feed machine-cut bones, primarily found in grocery stores, because they possess sharp edges, creating a potential risk of injury when consumed by dogs. Bone-in pork chops are an example of a machine-cut bone.

Feeding a Healthy 80/10/10 Diet to Dogs

I don't believe 80/10/10 is a complete diet for my dogs, so I add a base mix along with raw eggs, sardines, mussels, oysters, and other foods. Six months after I began combining a base mix with 80/10/10, I had my dogs nutrient tested and learned that this diet works for my pack.

I alternate between Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance and Paradigm. I can use less base mix because I'm feeding muscle meat, organs, and bone. The following are estimated amounts:

• 8-quart mixing bowl of 80/10/10 – I hydrate one cup of base mix
• 20-quart stock pot (great for large batches) of 80/10/10 – I hydrate 2-1/2 cups of base mix

I feed my dogs based on their size and activity level, starting at 3% of their body weight for active dogs and 2% for couch potatoes. I adjust the amount based on each dog's needs. I feed twice daily, with a light meal in the morning and a heavier meal in the evening. And I fast my dogs once a week.

And that's 80/10/10.

Read More About Raw Feeding

• Books to Help Dog Owners Feed Their Dog Better
• The Truth About Raw Feeding
• What You Don't Know About Chia, Hemp, and Flaxseeds
• Vitamin D Deficiency in Dogs: Symptoms and Solutions
• Is the Billinghurst Institute Professional Raw Feeding Course Worth It?