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Raw Dog Food Calculator (BARF) — Daily Portions & Composition

How much raw food should you feed your pup each day? This calculator portions a full BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet at 2-3% of adult body weight — or 5-10% for puppies — and breaks the daily total into muscle meat, edible bone, organ meat, vegetables, and seeds at the ratios laid out by Raw Feeding Advice & Support and BARF founder Ian Billinghurst. Cross-check protein, fat and calcium against NRC nutrient minimums to avoid deficiencies.

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Daily raw food
567g / day
1.25 lb · 20 oz

BARF composition breakdown

  • Muscle meat (70 %)397 g
  • Raw edible bone (10 %)57 g
  • Organ (5 % liver + 5 % other)57 g
  • Vegetables & fruit (5 %)28 g
  • Seeds / eggs / dairy (5 %)28 g
Split into 2 meals (adults) or 3–4 (puppies). Transition to raw slowly over 7–10 days. Freeze wild game 3 weeks to kill parasites.

BARF vs PMR vs commercial raw: which raw-feeding model?

AspectBARF (Billinghurst)PMR (Prey Model Raw)Commercial frozen raw
Muscle meat70%80%~70%
Bone10%10%10%
Organ (incl liver)10%10%10%
Vegetables / fruit7%0%0-10%
Seeds / extras3%0%0-5%
Complete & balanced (AAFCO)?Needs supplementsNeeds supplementsYes if labeled
Cost / month (30 lb dog)$80-150$100-180$200-400

Raw feeding terminology

BARF
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food — diet model by Dr. Ian Billinghurst that includes vegetables and fruit alongside meat.
PMR
Prey Model Raw — strictly meat, bone and organ in 80/10/10 ratios; no plant matter.
RMB
Raw Meaty Bones — edible bones with meat still attached; provides calcium and dental cleaning.
AAFCO complete & balanced
The US nutritional standard for commercial pet food; most homemade raw diets need supplements to meet it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much raw food should I feed my dog?

The BARF standard: 2–3 % of body weight per day for adult dogs at maintenance. A 50 lb dog gets 1–1.5 lb (≈450–680 g) of raw food daily. Active dogs need 3–5 %, puppies 5–10 % decreasing with age, overweight dogs 1.5 %.

What is the BARF diet?

BARF stands for 'Biologically Appropriate Raw Food' (or 'Bones and Raw Food'), developed by Dr. Ian Billinghurst. The standard ratio: 70 % muscle meat, 10 % raw edible bone, 10 % organ (half liver), 5 % vegetables, 5 % seeds/eggs/dairy.

Is raw food safe for dogs?

Raw diets carry higher bacterial risk (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria) for both the dog and the humans handling food. Use USDA-grade meat, practice strict hygiene, and consult a veterinary nutritionist. The FDA and AVMA recommend against raw for immunocompromised households.

How do I transition my dog to raw food?

Over 7–10 days: day 1–3 replace 25 % of current food with raw, day 4–6 replace 50 %, day 7–9 replace 75 %, day 10 onward 100 % raw. Watch for loose stool — reduce bone content if needed.

Can puppies eat raw food?

Yes, with careful calcium/phosphorus balance. Feed 5–10 % of current body weight depending on age. Consult a veterinary nutritionist for growing puppies — imbalanced calcium causes orthopedic problems in large breeds.

What raw meats are safe for dogs?

Chicken, turkey, duck, beef, lamb, venison, rabbit, pork (frozen 3+ weeks first), raw meaty bones (necks, wings, rib tips). Avoid weight-bearing bones, cooked bones, and wild game not frozen.

Do I need supplements on a raw diet?

A well-balanced BARF diet covers most needs but fish oil (omega-3), vitamin E, and occasionally kelp are commonly supplemented. Have your dog's blood work checked annually to catch deficiencies.

Sources & References

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