What Does 80/10/10 Raw Dog Food Mean?

If you are beginning to explore raw feeding, you will probably come across the term 80/10/10 very quickly.

It sounds complicated at first, but it is actually a straightforward way of describing the proportions commonly used in many raw dog foods.

Understanding what those numbers mean can make it much easier to compare products, build variety into your dog’s meals and make more informed choices when shopping for raw pet food.

Understanding the 80/10/10 Ratio

In simple terms, 80/10/10 generally refers to:

• 80% meat
• 10% bone
• 10% offal

Within the offal element, approximately half would normally be liver, with the remainder coming from another secreting organ.

It provides a useful foundation for raw feeding because it reflects the different components of an animal rather than relying on muscle meat alone.

However, it is important to remember that 80/10/10 describes the composition of the food rather than automatically guaranteeing that every individual dog is receiving everything it needs.

Age, weight, activity level, health, individual tolerance and the variety of foods offered all matter too.

Why Is Bone Included?

Raw meaty bone is commonly included within raw feeding because it contributes minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.

Bone content can vary from food to food, which is one reason owners often pay attention to their dog’s stools when introducing new meals.

Very hard or dry stools can sometimes indicate that the diet contains more bone than suits that particular dog, while softer stools can have many different causes.

Raw bones should always be chosen appropriately for the individual dog and fed with supervision. Cooked bones should not be fed, as cooking changes their structure and can make them more likely to splinter.

BB Pet Supplies has a dedicated range of different raw food types, making it easier to compare proteins and styles of food.

What Counts as Offal?

This is another area that can confuse people new to raw feeding.

Heart, for example, is nutritionally valuable but is generally treated as muscle meat within raw-feeding calculations rather than as secreting offal.

Typical secreting organs include:

• Liver
• Kidney
• Spleen
• Pancreas
• Brain
• Testicles

These foods are nutrient dense, which is why they usually make up a comparatively small part of the overall meal.

Does Every Meal Have to Be Exactly 80/10/10?

Not necessarily.

Some owners prefer complete or pre-prepared raw foods where the proportions have already been taken care of. Others look at balance across several meals.

For many people, ready-prepared raw food is simply easier because there is less weighing, calculating and preparation involved.

BB Pet Supplies stocks a broad selection of complete raw foods as well as products organised by protein and manufacturer.

Variety Still Matters

Finding one food your dog loves can be tempting, particularly when feeding is going well.

However, repeatedly feeding exactly the same ingredients may unnecessarily restrict the range of nutrients and proteins in the diet.

Once a dog is comfortably established on raw food, introducing suitable different proteins can create a more varied feeding routine.

The BB Pet Supplies raw food by type section includes everything from familiar options such as chicken, beef, lamb and turkey to rabbit, venison, fish, goat and other proteins.

Changes do not have to happen every day. What matters is creating sensible variety that suits the individual animal.

How Much Raw Food Should You Feed?

The 80/10/10 ratio describes what is in the food, not how much food the dog needs.

Portion size is a separate question.

Adult dogs are commonly fed according to a percentage of their ideal body weight, but this is only a starting point. Activity level, metabolism, age and body condition can all affect the appropriate amount.

BB Pet Supplies has an adult raw dog food feeding guide and calculator to help owners establish a starting point.

Puppies have different requirements because they are growing, so puppy owners should use the separate puppy raw food feeding guide.

Making Raw Feeding Easier

One reason raw feeding can initially seem intimidating is the amount of terminology surrounding it.

You do not need to become an expert overnight.

Start by understanding the basics, establish an appropriate feeding quantity and pay attention to how your dog responds. From there, you can gradually learn about different proteins, food types and feeding options.

BB Pet Supplies also offers raw food box deals, which can be a useful way to stock the freezer while exploring different foods.

And if you are completely new to raw feeding, the raw transition pack provides another structured starting option.

Every dog is an individual, so feeding decisions should always be adapted accordingly. If your dog has an existing health condition or you have concerns about changing its diet, speak to your vet or suitably qualified animal nutrition professional.