Educational purposes only. This guide is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always consult your vet or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN) before changing your dog's diet.
The 70/10/10/10 Nutrition Framework
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food
The BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) model is a raw feeding framework designed to mimic the natural diet of wild canines. It balances macronutrients, minerals, and micronutrients through whole food ratios rather than synthetic supplementation.
The 70/10/10/10 ratio is the most widely used starting point for raw feeding. Individual dogs may need adjustments based on age, activity level, health conditions, and specific intolerances — always work with your vet to fine-tune ratios for your dog.
Vet disclaimer: These ratios are educational guidelines. Puppies, pregnant dogs, seniors, and dogs with health conditions have different nutritional requirements. A board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN) can create a fully balanced, tailored plan for your dog.
- 70% Muscle Meat
- 10% Raw Bone
- 10% Organ Meat
- 10% Plant Matter
Muscle Meat
Muscle meat forms the bulk of a raw diet and provides the primary source of protein, essential amino acids, and fat. It fuels energy, supports muscle maintenance, and delivers key B vitamins, zinc, and iron. For allergy dogs, rotating proteins is critical to prevent new sensitivities from developing.
Good sources:
- Rotate at least 3–4 proteins across a 4-week cycle
- Include both lean and fatty cuts for balanced fat intake
- Novel proteins (venison, rabbit, kangaroo) are ideal for elimination diets
Raw Meaty Bones
Raw meaty bones are the primary source of calcium and phosphorus in a BARF diet — the two minerals most critical for skeletal health, nerve function, and cellular energy. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in raw bone is naturally close to the ideal 1.2:1 for dogs. Never feed cooked bones, which splinter and can cause serious injury.
Good sources:
- Always feed bones RAW — never cooked or smoked
- Bone should be soft enough to bend slightly (meaty, not weight-bearing)
- If your dog cannot chew bones, use ground bone or a calcium supplement (consult your vet)
Organ Meat
Organ meat is the most nutrient-dense component of a raw diet — often called "nature's multivitamin." Liver alone provides extraordinary amounts of vitamin A, B12, folate, copper, and CoQ10. Secreting organs (kidney, spleen, pancreas, testicles) provide a different micronutrient profile and should make up at least half of the organ portion.
Good sources:
- Liver should be no more than 5% of the total diet to avoid vitamin A toxicity
- *Heart is a muscle meat, not a secreting organ — count it in the 70%
- Introduce organs slowly to avoid loose stools — start with small amounts
- Secreting organs = kidney, spleen, pancreas, testicles, uterus
Plant Matter
While dogs are facultative carnivores and do not require plant matter to survive, a small amount of lightly processed vegetables and fruits provides beneficial fibre, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Vegetables should be lightly steamed or blended/pureed to break down cellulose walls and improve digestibility. Avoid toxic foods.
Good sources:
- Blend or lightly steam vegetables to improve nutrient absorption
- Berries (blueberries, cranberries) are excellent antioxidant additions
- Avoid: onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, avocado, macadamia nuts
- Pumpkin is excellent for digestive health and fibre
Toxic & Dangerous Foods for Dogs
These foods are toxic or dangerous to dogs and must never be included in any meal, raw or cooked.
Onion & Garlic
Causes haemolytic anaemia
Grapes & Raisins
Can cause acute kidney failure
Macadamia Nuts
Neurological toxicity
Avocado
Persin toxicity (vomiting, diarrhoea)
Xylitol
Severe hypoglycaemia, liver failure
Chocolate
Theobromine toxicity
Cooked Bones
Splinter risk — choking, perforation
Corn on the Cob
Intestinal obstruction risk
A Note on Supplements
A well-constructed BARF diet using the 70/10/10/10 ratio is largely self-sufficient, but most raw-fed dogs benefit from a small number of targeted supplements — especially when feeding boneless meals or rotating novel proteins.
- Omega-3 (fish oil or algae oil) — anti-inflammatory, skin & coat support
- Vitamin E — antioxidant, especially when feeding high-fat diets
- Kelp or iodine source — thyroid support (if not feeding fish regularly)
- Calcium supplement — only if feeding boneless meals (eggshell powder, bone meal)
Always consult your veterinarian before adding supplements. Over-supplementation can be as harmful as deficiency.
Ready to put this into practice?
Browse our recipe library — every recipe is tagged by ratio, protein type, and allergen so you can build a balanced rotation with confidence.