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When I was new to raw feeding, 80 10 10 was all the rage. It took a few years for me to slow down and question whether 80 10 10 was sufficient. When I began asking more experienced raw feeders, I received two responses:

1. No – 80 10 10 is massively deficient in nutrients
2. Yes – 80 10 10 is all a dog needs

There was a growing push for raw feeders to feed their pets a balanced diet. Although I felt that the push was unnecessary, with some telling us that we'd be better off feeding kibble, I did understand the importance of at least trying to approach raw feeding in a manner that leads to deficiencies and potential health issues.

What is 80 10 10?

In raw feeding for pets, the 80-10-10 ratio refers to a guideline to create a “balanced” diet for dogs and cats. Here's what each number represents:

1. 80% Muscle Meat: This category includes lean cuts of meat, such as chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb. Muscle meat provides essential protein for muscle growth and maintenance in pets.
2. 10% Edible Bone: Edible bones are soft, pliable bones that pets can safely consume. Examples include chicken necks, wings, and backs. They are a crucial source of calcium and other minerals necessary for healthy bones and teeth.
3. 10% Organ Meat: Organ meats like liver, kidney, heart, and spleen are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B, D, and K, as well as minerals like iron and zinc. Organ meats play a vital role in providing essential micronutrients for pets.

By following the 80-10-10 ratio, raw feeders aim to mimic a natural, species-appropriate diet for dogs and cats, balancing protein, bone, and organ meat to meet their nutritional needs.

Who Came Up With 80 10 10?

Several years ago, I began asking everyone I knew in the raw feeding community who developed the 80 10 10 ratio diet. No one had an answer. Some attributed the ratio to Dr. Ian Billinghurst, while others thought Dr. Tom Lonsdale first mentioned it. Eventually, I learned that 80 10 10 was part of a conversation and wasn't intended to be turned into a movement. Someone was estimating the parts of a prey animal.

Someone was conversing about what wolves and wild dogs ate, not determining what we should feed our domesticated pets.

Why 80 10 10 is Deficient

The following is an example of a simple 80 10 10 diet based on a FrankenPrey model, which means that I'm using ingredients from various animals (which is what many people would do due to sourcing). The following isn't precisely 80 10 10, but it's close. I added the ingredients to the Animal Diet Formulator Software to determine if it's “balanced” according to FEDIEF, the European Pet Food Industry Federation (Europe's version of AAFCO, but more respected).

• 50 pounds of lean ground beef
• 3 pounds chicken liver
• 1.5 pounds pork kidneys
• 1.5 pounds pork spleen
• 6 pounds chicken necks (75% bone)

Mineral Deficiencies in 80 10 10

The above recipe is deficient in the following minerals:

• calcium
• magnesium (slightly)
• copper
• manganese
• iodine

Vitamin Deficiencies in 80 10 10

The above recipe is deficient in the following vitamins:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B1 (slightly)

Fat Deficiencies in 80 10 10

The above recipe is deficient in linoleic fatty acids (Omega 6). Switching from chicken necks (meat and bone only) to chicken necks with fat and skin balances the fats in the 80 10 10 diet.

If someone were to feed this to their dog exclusively, it could lead to a nutrient deficiency and health issues. However, some feel that alternating proteins and other ingredients can lead to balance over time. My concern is that it would take too much time to reach balance for my dogs, which is why I chose to use a base mix in my meal prep. A base mix, along with alternating ingredients, helps to eliminate nutrient deficiencies.

Health Risks Related to Nutrient Deficiencies

Feeding a dog a nutrient-deficient diet can lead to various health risks and complications, impacting their overall well-being. Here are some potential health risks associated with providing inadequate nutrition to dogs:

1. Nutritional Deficiencies: A lack of essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids can result in deficiencies that may lead to various health issues, such as impaired growth and development, a weakened immune system, and poor coat and skin health.
2. Digestive Problems: Inadequate nutrition can cause digestive issues in dogs, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Lack of fiber, for example, can lead to irregular bowel movements and digestive disturbances.
3. Muscle Weakness and Fatigue: Insufficient protein intake can result in muscle weakness, fatigue, and poor muscle development in dogs. Proteins are crucial for muscle repair, growth, and overall strength.
4. Bone and Joint Problems: Without adequate calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals, dogs may develop bone and joint issues like osteoporosis, bone deformities, and arthritis. Proper bone health is essential for mobility and overall structural support.
5. Immune System Suppression: Poor nutrition can weaken the immune system, making dogs more susceptible to infections, illnesses, and diseases. Essential nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants support immune function and overall health.
6. Dental Health Concerns: Inadequate nutrition can contribute to dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. Chewing on bones or dental chews helps maintain dental health, and deficiency in appropriate nutrients can impact oral hygiene.
7. Behavioral and Cognitive Issues: Nutrient deficiencies can also affect a dog's behavior, mood, and cognitive function. When their nutritional needs are not met adequately, dogs may exhibit lethargy, irritability, anxiety, or hyperactivity.

To prevent these health risks, providing a well-balanced diet is essential to your dog's needs.

But, Balance According to Whom?

When I initially learned about balance's importance, I asked, “Balance according to whom?” I don't trust anything produced by AAFCO. Veterinarians lack sufficient nutrition education to help me with my dog's diet. And I wasn't aware of any studies based on feeding dogs fresh food. The people pushing the hardest for us to balance a dog's diet are also selling consultations, courses, or coaching services.

What eventually changed my mind was speaking to people with more experience whom I trusted. They were able to show me the importance of feeding a balanced diet. I also learned that I could attain balance through a base mix. It was so easy – too easy – so I hired a nutritionist to review my recipes and had my dogs nutrient-tested.

I still question the nutritional guidelines we're following because a few things don't make sense. Until we receive guidelines specifically for feeding fresh food, I will always have these questions.

Balancing an 80 10 10 Raw Diet

There is a belief that adding a chicken egg or raw goat's milk to an 80 10 10 raw diet can fill the nutritional gaps. Is this true? I added these foods to the sample 80 10 10 recipe I created above to see what changed. To recap, my sample diet was deficient in:

• calcium
• magnesium (slightly)
• copper
• manganese
• iodine
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B1 (slightly)

Adding Chicken Eggs & Raw Goat's Milk

Because this is a bulk recipe, I added several chicken eggs to it, with the idea that I would add them to a dog's meal every other day. I was shocked to see there wasn't much change in the nutrient breakdown. The eggs didn't correct any of the deficiencies. I changed the recipe to add an egg daily (30 days) and still didn't see a significant correction.

Adding raw goat's milk provided the same results; the diet's deficiencies were not significantly corrected.

Combining 80 10 10 with a Base Mix

I use Dr. Harvey's base mixes, primarily Raw Vibrance, which can be combined with muscle meat to produce a balanced diet. I decided I could use less of the base mix because I was starting with 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% organs. For every 15 pounds of an 80 10 10 blend, I use 2 cups of the base mix. This allows me to feed my dogs an affordable homemade diet without spreadsheets or software.

I alternate the main protein (muscle meat) each week. For example, this week, my dogs are eating venison and pheasant. Next week, they'll be enjoying duck. The week following, they'll be eating beef and turkey. I balance over time to attain balance weekly.

I've been feeding this way since 2018, and my dogs have thrived.

Is Balance Bullsh$%?

Several years ago, I recorded a video explaining that balance is bullsh$%. The impedance was the growing pressure for people to balance their dog's diet, with some raw feeders telling us that if we don't balance, we should return to feeding kibble. As stated above, it appeared that the people pushing for balance the hardest were also offering consultation, coaching, and meal formulation services, as the message was often combined with the offer to help us balance our dog's diets for a nominal fee.

I no longer think balance is bullsh$%; I don't think balance is as unattainable as some will have us believe. I agree that humans don't balance their diets; however, missing out on certain nutrients can result in health issues over time. By adjusting my diet to account for deficiencies, I was able to alleviate my anxiety, hayfever, joint pain, anemia, sleeplessness, and lack of focus.

• reduce anxiety and improve sleep by increasing magnesium and adding ashwagandha
• reduce hayfever symptoms and boost the immune system with Five Defenders and Ergo+ by Real Mushrooms
• ease joint pain and improve hair and skin with collagen

My experience encouraged me to take “balance” more seriously with my dogs. It was a lot easier because one base mix eliminated the nutritional gaps in their diet.

Read More About Raw Feeding

• Ultimate Guide to Raw Goat's Milk for Dogs
• 8 of My Favorite Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
• Is Green Tea Toxic to Dogs? Benefits and Uses
• The Hidden Dangers of an 80 10 10 Raw Dog Diet: What You Need to Know
• Books to Help Dog Owners Feed Their Dog Better