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When I researched raw feeding, I learned that the two main models are BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) and Prey. After more than two years of feeding raw to my dogs, I’ve found that the main difference between BARF and Prey seemed to be the amount of bone and the vegetables.
BARF Model vs. Prey Model Raw Feeding
BARF Model:
- 60-80% raw meaty bones, which are bones with 50% meat still attached (turkey necks, chicken backs, duck wings, etc.)
- 20-40% fruits, veggies, offal (organ meat), muscle meat, eggs, and/or dairy products
Prey Model:
- 80% muscle meat
- 10% offal (half of the offal is liver)
- 10% bone
Introducing the FrankenBARF Model of Raw Feeding
In April 2013, I transitioned our dogs to a raw diet prepared and delivered by a local company that ships raw meals nationwide for dogs and cats. Their food includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, vegetables, fruit, and supplements – all ground (or left whole) together in a yummy dose of healthiness.
Premade raw is the way to go if you can afford it. We couldn’t continue feeding four big dogs 100% premade, so I joined a local raw food co-op and made raw dog food at home. Because our dogs did well on the BARF model, I followed the model at home.
I immediately came up with one problem – I couldn’t find all the needed ingredients. The grocery store doesn’t have a large variety of muscle and organ meat. I don't live near an Asian supermarket (which tends to have more options). And our butcher is expensive.
So I started piecing together a BARF-ish diet for our dogs that I call Franken-BARF.
The FrankenBARF Model of Raw Feeding
FrankenBARF Model:
- 80% muscle meat (alternated weekly)
- 10% raw meaty bones
- 10% offal and liver (50%/50%)
- additional heart (pork or beef) to cover vitamin B
- Dr. Harvey's Paradigm base mix
- pasture raised chicken or duck eggs for a multivitamin (lightly cooked)
- whole sardines for Omega-3 fatty acids (alternated with fermented fish broth)
- oysters for zinc
And because I make a point of learning about the nutrients my dogs need in their diet and investing in nutrient testing when my budget allows, this diet meets my dogs' nutritional needs.
We have four adult dogs, which allows me to balance over time instead of per meal, which is easier for me, and I add supplements based on my dogs' needs.
Sounds complicated? I thought so, too, at first. But I figured it out, and now I do meal prep several times a month.
Feeding Our Dogs What They Need
We have four dogs with different needs, and I started adjusting their diets to accommodate them. I also began paying attention to their poop (gross, but educational) to learn more about what our dogs need. This daily examination and educating myself about canine nutrition has helped me identify when I need to adjust my dogs' meals.
Feed the dog in front of you – it works!
Vegetables and Raw Feeding
Although I believe dogs are carnivores, I also think vegetables have a place in their diet, and I feed them to my dogs because…
- They provide nutrients and antioxidants, which help fight cancer.
- They are an excellent source of fiber, which supports a healthy digestive system.
- They help a dog feel fuller faster (great for dogs on a diet).
- They’re a healthy snack, and my dogs love them.
I used to ferment the vegetables to provide a natural probiotic and support the gut, which helps promote a more robust immune system. I stopped because I didn't want to overdo it with fermented foods. They already get fermented fish stock and kefir. Today, in addition to Dr. Harvey's Paradigm, I add a DIY veggie mix, which I alternate with Green JuJu's Bailey's Blend.
While some raw feeders believe vegetables are unnecessary fillers meant to save money, I disagree. I think I think vegetables can boost a diet, making it healthier.
A FrankenBARF Meal Prep
A few easy raw feeding recipes that I feed to my dogs include:
- 15 lbs ground pork loin
- 10 lbs ground quail
- 6 lbs of beef organ blend
- 4 cans of boiled oysters
- 1 cup of Dr. Harvey's Paradigm
- 1.75 oz of freeze-dried Just Greens by Green JuJu
Note: I don't follow the directions on the Paradigm (or Raw Vibrance) bag because I'm adding organ meat and bone to my meal prep. Since my dogs get the bulk of their nutrients from the meat and bone, I add less base mix. It works for my dogs.
Read More About Raw Feeding
- Ultimate Guide to Kombucha for Dogs: Benefits and Risks
- The Omnivore Misconception: Unraveling the Truth About Dogs
- How Soon Do the Benefits of Raw Dog Food Appear?
- Easy Venison Homemade Dog Food Recipe
- Are Most Homemade Dog Food Recipes Nutrient Deficient?
The above post was initially published on PetPav as a guest post by ME.
I can’t tell you how much bone to add because I go by trial and error with my dogs. I’m sure RFM’s organ blend would be great, but I’ve never used it. With regard to the meal formulation; mentioning that you raise quail may not be enough to let someone know that you’d like a quail recipe. Contact him and ask him directly if he could include quail in the formulations. I’m not sure how much nutritional data is available for quail – that could be the issue.
I know that people like specific amounts when doing recipes and I wish that I could help but I don’t feed my dogs that way to it would be disingenuous for me to provide amounts when I don’t really know.
I had an opportunity to try their food, free of charge, and I jumped on it. Many raw food brands use some sort of base mix, using a vitamin mix can make the food easier to formulate, more consistent, while keeping prices low. It’s not a preference but I understand why some brands choose to use it; especially given the FDA’s witch hunt with raw food brands. With regard to HPP, I guess I just don’t understand why people have an issue with it. Personally, I think HPP allows more people to switch to fresh food. There are so many people afraid of feeding raw and HPP took away one of the arguments – bacteria. I think it’s a false sense of comfort, but whatever. If it means more dogs get fresh food and live longer, healthier lives, then I’m happy to have them join the fresh food party.
I am surprised you have used We Feed Raw. I dropped them several years back when they added the base mix and HPP.
Hi! We have two Westies.We use 80/10/10 prey. If I used your recipe above, how much bone would I need to add, either chicken necks or backs. We raise quail so that’s not a problem. Would Raw Feeding Miami’s beef organ blend work? I have two recipes created by raw feeding 101, but even though I told him we raised Quail, he didn’t create me one using quail. Thanks, I love your blog.
Hi Megan…thanks for the question. I spend, on average, about $200/month for food, treats, and supplements. The more I’m learning about raw feeding, the less I spend. I plan to do a video sharing more details so thanks again for the question. I plan to publish the video on my YouTube channel and on Facebook this week.
Hey Kimberly,
I know this is hard to answer but I was wondering what it cost you to feed your 4 dogs on a raw diet. That’s my biggest struggle is trying to figure out what it would cost me to do this before I jump into it. I have a 12yr old german shepherd mix, 5 yr old aussie and a 3 1/2 yr old husky. Is there a rough estimate range you would be able to guess to feed a family of 3 dogs? THanks!
Hi, I also can relay to the feeling of being overwhelmed by this raw feed, but determined to do so. Right now I’m getting Springer Farms chickens at the local grocery store and they are grinding the whole chicken for me then I add limited amount sweet potatoes, sardines and blueberries for now. Our 5 months old mini aussie loves it, However knowing I’m not giving her the organs needed. Hard to find in grocery stores now days and local farmers market is so pricey on them. By the way am yet to give her whole bones as I’m scared to. She has filled out and good weight.
Hi Lesley –
I highly recommend looking into the Raw Feeding 101 course: https://www.keepthetailwagging.com/rawfeeding101 (aff). If you sign up for the course today (1/31) you save on the cost when you use code keepthetailwagging at check out. This is the best way to learn the basics of raw feeding and more. Based on what you said, you should feed your puppy 10% of their current weight of 3% of their estimated adult way – this is every day. So if you’re feeding 3x a day, you would break the daily meal amount into three meals.
At 5 months old my Bernese Mountain Puppy weighs 50 pounds.
Hi. I’m in desperate need of advise. I have a 5 month old Bernese Mountain Puppy that I started on a raw diet one month ago. I’m very confused as to what to include in his diet. I hope I’m giving him enough food. He’s growing rapidly and has an insatiable appetite. I’m giving him 3 pounds of chicken thighs and legs (bones included) ground up daily. He gets 3 meals a day. I add a small amount of ground carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, sometimes butternut squash, sometimes spinach. Twice a week I add a little beef liver or kidney. Each day I add cod liver oil, kelp and ground flax seed. We can’t afford to give him much beef but will add a little when on sale. Should he have anything else?
Hi Jadelyn…
I weigh my dogs’ food instead of adding cups of food. There are raw food calculators online that will help you get started with that – I use this one: http://www.raw4dogs.com/calculate.htm
I give my dogs a raw meaty bone most days, but not every day.
Thank you for this post! I’m trying to transition our 3 rescues to a real raw diet but have no idea HOW much to feed at each meal and how many meals per day. We have a 73 pound Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix, a 65 pound Bully mix and a 12 pound Chihuahua. How large should the bones be for each dog? How many cups of the actual evening meal? Should they have a raw meaty bone every day? Sorry for all the questions but I want to make sure I get this right! Thank you so much!
Fantastic, Kasey! As I was reading your comment I was wondering “where does she live if she’s giving meat away,” ha ha ha. You would be a raw feeders best friend.
thank you so much! I have a small farm, where we have chickens, rabbits, a dairy cow that calves every year, and goats. we also trade milk and way to a local pig farmer in trade for a 300 pound butcher hog every spring. We butcher a lot of our own meat and Penny, my 65 pound mixed breed mut (she very pretty, and write smart), gets scraps sometimes. But a lot of the time we have more meet then we can use and end up giving a lot of it away to friends family. I’ve been wondering for a while now if we aren’t wasting the opportunity to give our dog a diet that much healthier for her. I’m going to be trying your model with her, and seeing how she adjusts to it. Thank you so much for putting this up.
FrankenBARF might be my new favorite raw feeding term!