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The 80/10/10 raw food model (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% secreting organs) is one of the most popular starting points for raw feeders. It mimics the composition of a whole prey animal, and while it's a fantastic foundation, it's not a complete diet. When I first learned that an 80/10/10 diet wasn't balanced, it made sense because most people appeared to be feeding a modified whole prey diet, referred to as FrankenPrey. By focusing on the 80/10/10, we were forgetting that the diet we were feeding lacked key components of prey animals: brains, eyeballs, guts, and fur. By excluding these from a raw diet, we were creating deficiencies.
Let’s dive into why—and more importantly, how to fix it using real, whole foods.
Why 80/10/10 Falls Short
The 80/10/10 model is rumored to have been developed during a conversation discussing the make-up of a prey animal. As a result, this model oversimplifies a complex nutritional picture and may not have been intended to be followed as religiously as it is today. Wild predators consume a diverse array of whole animals, including fur, feathers, blood, glands, brains, eyes, and stomach contents—none of which are typically included in a home-prepared 80/10/10 diet. As a result, several key nutrients are missing or deficient.
Nutrients Found in Prey Animal “Extras”
The following are animal parts that raw feeders may struggle to source or feed (due to the ick factor), along with the nutritional benefits for dogs.
Prey Part
Major Nutrients
Major Health Contributions
Eyeballs
Vitamin A, DHA, Zinc, Taurine, Collagen
Vision, brain health, skin/joint health
Brains
DHA, B12, Phosphatidylcholine, Selenium
Brain function, nerve support, hormone balance
Guts
Manganese, Vitamin K2, enzymes, B vitamins
Digestion, joint health, immune function
Fur
Insoluble fiber, keratin, trace minerals
Gut cleansing, detoxification, connective tissue support, hair/skin health
Feathers
Insoluble fiber, keratin, sulfur-containing amino acids (like cysteine and methionine)
Gut cleansing, detoxification, hair/skin health
Common Nutrient Deficiencies in 80/10/10 Diets (and How to Fix Them)
Nutrient
Why It’s Lacking
Whole Food Fixes
Potential Health Issues
Vitamin E
Lacking in most raw meats
Salmon, sardines, pasture-raised eggs, raw sunflower seeds, almonds (sparingly)
Muscle weakness, vision impairment, poor reproductive health
Manganese
Low in muscle meats and most organs
Mussels, green tripe, spinach, pumpkin seeds
Joint degeneration, poor ligament and tendon health
Iodine
Not present in land-based meats
Kelp (small amounts)
Hypothyroidism, lethargy, poor coat quality
Zinc
Often low unless variety of organs is fed
Oysters, beef liver, pumpkin seeds, duck
Poor wound healing, skin issues, dull coat
Vitamin D
Bone deformities, muscle weakness, and immune dysfunction
Pasture-raised eggs, oily fish (sardines, mackerel), cod liver oil
Bone deformities, muscle weakness, immune dysfunction
Often missing unless feeding specific organs like liver
Beef liver, oysters, sunflower seeds
Anemia, bone abnormalities, neurological issues
Choline
Low in raw meat unless brain and eggs are included
Pasture-raised eggs, organ meats, sardines
Fatty liver, neurological disorders
Selenium
Inconsistent in meats; soil-dependent
Brazil nuts (tiny amounts), sardines, eggs
Muscle weakness, immune issues
Folate (B9)
Lacking unless leafy greens or tripe are added
Spinach, beef liver, green tripe
Anemia, birth defects, poor cell regeneration
Magnesium
Often low in meaty diets
Pumpkin seeds, spinach, mackerel
Muscle tremors, heart irregularities, weakness
Bonus: Other Often-Missing Elements
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA): Rare unless feeding oily fish: add sardines, mackerel, or fish oil
Fiber: Not technically a “deficiency,” but raw diets often lack it: add ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or steamed/fermented veggies
Phytochemicals & Antioxidants: Absent in meat-only diets: add berries, spinach, broccoli, turmeric, or other fresh herbs
What Health Issues Can Result?
If not corrected, an 80/10/10 diet can eventually cause chronic issues such as:
Dull coat, itchy skin, frequent infections: zinc, EFA, or vitamin E deficiency
Poor vision or night blindness: vitamin A or E deficiency
Low energy, anemia, muscle wasting: vitamin B12, copper, or iron deficiency
Joint instability or early arthritis: manganese or zinc deficiency
Poor immune response: selenium, zinc, and vitamin D deficiency
Thyroid dysfunction: iodine deficiency
Fatty liver disease: choline deficiency
How to Improve an 80/10/10 Diet with Whole Foods
When the topic of balance and ratio diets is broached, there will always be people who can point to dogs that have thrived on an 80/10/10 diet. I'm unable to explain why this is the case. Based on my research and courses, changing the proteins regularly is not enough to cover every deficiency in a ratio diet. The more I learned about canine nutrition, the more cautious I became about my dogs' diet.
And as much as I believe that “balance” varies depending on the dog, I also think it's essential to do my best for my dogs today to avoid potential health issues down the line. I don't plan to discard the 80/10/10 model; instead, I've refined the diet by adding additional foods to the mix. Of course, the amount and frequency depend on the dog and the meal.
Raw eggs– for choline, selenium, and vitamin D
Oily fish – sardines, mackerel, or smelt for omega-3s and vitamin D
Green tripe – for manganese, enzymes, and probiotics
Beef liver – vitamin A, copper, folate
Kelp or seaweed (tiny daily pinch) – natural iodine source
Pumpkin or chia seeds – for magnesium, fiber, and zinc
Berries (blueberries, raspberries) – rich in antioxidants
How I Corrected the 80/10/10 Model
The 80/10/10 diet is a great starting point, but dogs need more than muscle meat, bone, and liver to thrive. Without strategic additions, your dog may develop nutrient gaps that could lead to long-term health consequences. This information is not intended to deter people from raw feeding or to complicate the process.
By thoughtfully incorporating a wider range of whole, species-appropriate foods, you can build a more complete and biologically balanced raw diet, without relying on synthetic supplements. I do this by using a base mix. Because I'm adding a base mix to an 80/10/10 blend, I don't follow the instructions on the bag; instead, I use less of the base mix and add other whole foods, such as canned boiled oysters, chia or hemp seeds, and other foods, depending on the recipe.
The more I delved into the topic of canine nutrition, the more I became convinced that homemade raw diets often overlook several essential nutritional components, unless you're feeding whole prey (such as whole rabbits, quail, or fish). Without these nutrients:
Dogs may lack critical fatty acids, enzymes, and fibers.
Dogs may show gut health issues over time.
Joint, brain, skin, and immune health can gradually decline without these essential, yet often overlooked, components.
Using Animal Diet Formulator software and working with a professional canine nutritionist can help dog owners refine their recipes to ensure their nutritional requirements are being met. There are also affordable online courses that empower pet parents.
I'm a passionate writer in the Pacific Northwest who loves all things dogs. I share what I'm learning as I attempt to crack the code to longevity. Keep the Tail Wagging is a blog dedicated to the dog who inspired this journey: Rodrigo Gauthier - March 2010 - September 2023.
