How much raw food for your dog?
Calculate daily grams using the PMR (Prey Model Raw) or BARF feeding ratio, with the standard 80/10/10 breakdown for muscle meat, organ, and bone.
Most adult dogs eat 2–3% of body weight per day on raw. Active or under-conditioned dogs lean toward 3%; over-conditioned toward 2%.
PMR vs BARF in one sentence
PMR (80/10/10) keeps it animal-only — meat, bone, organs. BARF adds 5–10% plant material (puréed vegetables, fruits, seeds) plus supplements. Both work; PMR is simpler to source, BARF aims for closer-to-omnivore variety.
Variety matters
Don't feed only chicken. Rotate protein sources (poultry, red meat, fish) weekly. Different muscle meats have different nutrient profiles; organ meat from one species can be deficient where another species' is abundant. Aim for at least 3 distinct protein sources across the month.
Sources: FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food (2024). Billinghurst I., Give Your Dog a Bone (BARF model). Prey Model Raw reference framework.
Frequently asked questions
What is PMR vs BARF?
PMR (Prey Model Raw): 80/10/10 — 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organs (5% liver + 5% other secreting organs). BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food): adds 5–10% vegetables, fruits, and supplements to the PMR base. Both target ~2–3% of body weight per day for adult dogs.
Is raw food actually safe?
For healthy adult dogs with proper handling — generally yes, with caveats. Risks: bacterial contamination (Salmonella, E. coli — affects humans handling the food more than the dog), bone splinter injuries if cooked bones are used (raw bones are safer, but supervise), nutritional imbalance if not feeding to ratio. Not recommended for: immunocompromised pets, puppies under 12 weeks, households with infants or immunocompromised humans.
Why isn't this a cat calculator too?
Cats have stricter nutritional requirements — they need taurine, vitamin A, and arachidonic acid that are easy to under-supply in DIY raw. Cat raw feeding is best done with commercial complete raw products formulated to AAFCO/FEDIAF standards. We chose not to publish DIY cat raw math because the failure mode is severe (taurine deficiency → cardiomyopathy). Talk to a veterinary nutritionist for cats.
How much for a puppy?
5–10% of expected adult weight for puppies under 4 months, tapering to 3–4% from 4–12 months, then to 2–3% as adults. Growing puppies need 2–3× the calcium and phosphorus per kg vs adults — most PMR calculators don't adjust adequately. For puppy raw, especially large/giant breeds, work with a veterinary nutritionist.