Balancing Nutrients in DIY Raw Meals

by admin in Pet Care Basics 17 - Last Update November 23, 2025

Rate: 4/5 points in 17 reviews

When I first ventured into the world of DIY raw feeding, I was both excited and, honestly, a little terrified. The idea of giving my dog a diet closer to what their ancestors ate made so much sense, but the responsibility of getting the nutrient balance right felt immense. I remember staring at a pile of ingredients in my kitchen, completely second-guessing myself. It\'s a journey, and I want to share what I\'ve learned about creating balanced meals from my own trial and error.

The foundational ratios I learned to trust

The concept that really helped me get started was understanding the basic ratios. The general guideline for a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet, and what I\'ve built my own recipes on, is a framework. It’s not about being perfect to the gram every single day, but about achieving balance over time, usually over a week or so.

The 80/10/10 starting point

This is the classic prey model ratio that many raw feeders, including myself, use as a base. Here’s how I break it down:

80% Muscle Meat: This is the foundation. It provides protein, amino acids, and some vitamins. I rotate sources like beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb to provide a variety of nutrient profiles.
10% Raw Edible Bone: This was the scariest part for me at first! But it\'s a non-negotiable for calcium and phosphorus. I use things like chicken wings, necks, or feet. The key is that they must be raw (cooked bones are dangerous) and appropriate for your pet\'s size.
10% Organ Meat: This is the nutrient-dense powerhouse. At least half of this (so 5% of the total meal) should be liver, which is rich in Vitamin A. For the other 5%, I rotate things like kidney, spleen, or heart.

Common mistakes I made (so you don\'t have to)

I definitely didn\'t get it perfect from the start. One of my biggest early mistakes was thinking \'more bone is better\' for my dog\'s teeth. This led to some serious constipation. Too little bone can cause loose stools. It took me a while to find that sweet spot for my own dog. Another misstep was not including enough organ variety. Just feeding liver is a start, but rotating other secreting organs provides a much wider range of essential nutrients.

Why I still lean on professional guidance

Even after years of doing this, I\'m not a veterinarian or a certified animal nutritionist. My experience is based on my own pets and extensive research. That\'s why I believe it\'s crucial to approach this as a partnership with your vet. When I was starting out, I had a long chat with my holistic vet, who was supportive and helped me review my initial meal plans. It gave me the confidence to know I was on the right track. I always recommend anyone starting this journey to do the same. What works for my dog might need tweaking for yours, and a professional can help you navigate that safely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the ideal ratio for a beginner's BARF diet?

From my experience, the best starting point is the 80/10/10 ratio: 80% muscle meat, 10% edible bone, and 10% organ meat (with half of that being liver). I think of it not as a strict daily rule, but as a goal to balance over the course of a week. It's a fantastic baseline to build from as you get more comfortable.

Can I just feed my dog muscle meat if they don't like organs?

I completely understand having a picky eater! However, feeding only muscle meat will lead to serious nutritional deficiencies over time. Organs are like nature's multivitamins, packed with nutrients not found in the same concentrations in meat. I've had success by finely mincing the organ meat and mixing a tiny amount into the muscle meat, gradually increasing it. As always, this is a great topic to discuss with your vet for more strategies.

How do I know if the nutrient balance in my pet's raw diet is wrong?

This is a great question, and something I watched closely when I started. I look at my dog's overall condition: their coat quality, energy levels, and especially their stool. Stool is a huge indicator! Too-white or crumbly stool often meant I used too much bone. Very dark or loose stool sometimes pointed to too much organ meat. Paying close attention to these outputs can tell you a lot about the inputs.

Do I need to add supplements to a DIY raw diet?

It depends. A well-formulated, varied raw diet with different proteins, organs, and some extras like fish for Omega-3s can be very complete. However, I personally add a fish oil supplement for my dog's joints and skin. Some people also add kelp or other whole-food supplements. My advice is to build a solid food foundation first and then discuss specific supplementation needs with a vet who is knowledgeable about raw feeding.

Is it really safe to feed raw bones?

This was my biggest fear when I started! The key is to only feed *raw*, edible bones that are appropriately sized for your pet. Cooked bones are brittle and can splinter, which is extremely dangerous. I use things like chicken wings or duck feet for my dog. You must always supervise your pet when they are eating bones. It’s a crucial safety step I never, ever skip.