Do you know what is 80 10 10 as a dog owner? Most of us are aware of this concept. However, the search to relate this proportion style to a specific person is unsolved, but this concept emerged from the broader philosophy of feeding dogs a diet that shows their ancestral diet in the wild.
The proportion of 80 10 10 means 80% of muscle meat, 10% of edible bones, and 10% of organ meat or offal.
The advocates of raw feeding have collectively contributed to the development of natural food for their dogs because they believe that this ratio provides their dogs with all the nutrition as their dogs eat prey animals and fulfill the idea of being carnivores.
What is 80/10/10 raw dog food?
Raw dog food means entirely uncooked or minimally processed food containing raw muscle meat, bare-bones, natural fats, and secreting organs. The 80/10/10 theory was introduced to satisfy your dog’s wild needs.
Here is the classification of 80/10/10 raw food.
1- Raw Meat
Meat represents the majority of the diet, and you can give your dog a variety so that he never gets bored by eating the same food for years. Some dogs have allergies and sensitivities to certain kinds of meat, so always introduce new protein sources to your dog gradually in smaller amounts with your veterinarian consult. My simple method is to mix Turkey and chicken meat and feed my dogs for two weeks and beef and lamb for the rest of the two weeks.
The meat variety includes:
- Beef: This meat is a good source of protein that makes muscle development easy. Iron is essential for oxygen transport in the blood, and a good source of zinc also supports your dog’s immune system.
- Chicken: A favourite meat of dogs, it contains protein, phosphorus, and Vitamin B6, which are effective for energetic metabolism and good bone health.
- Lamb: These raw meats are introduced to dogs if they have a strong metabolism to digest the raw meat and have no internal or external sensitivity. Adding an 80% ratio of lamb meat gives the dogs a good quantity of protein, vitamins, irons, and selenium, making it a well-rounded diet for your dog.
- Pork: Meat from the pig is a good source of Protein, Thiamine, and Phosphorus, but pork contains trichinella, salmonella, and Listeria bacteria, which should be removed after washing the meat with cold water pressure and then served to your dogs.
- Turkey: A turkey contains good vitamins and minerals, so your dog needs no more vitamins in a day after feeding turkey meat. To provide the dogs with a raw turkey with a concept of 80% meat, allow their bones to get stronger.
A plus point
Give your dog fish meat once or twice a week because fish is an excellent way to get calcium, glucosamine, and omega oils. I personally like Sardines and Mackerel as raw food to feed my dogs, but my method to remove bacteria from them is to freeze them for a few weeks before feeding them. I feed my 70-pound dog with ORIJEN SIX FISH Food, which he loves very much.
2- Bones
The meaty bones or edible bones should constitute 10% of the whole diet of a dog. Raw bones may increase the chance of food choking, which risk can be lessened if you research choosing appropriate bones according to the size and breed of your dog. Including raw bones in the food diet means your dog will have the following:
- Less dental problems due to chewing bones
- Consume tremendous calcium and phosphorus, which will benefit his skeletal health.
- A healthy digestion system that helps prevent constipation.
- A strong jaw muscles by chewing on bones.
- A better saliva production contains enzymes that absorb all the nutrients during digestion.
The bones that must be the 10% of the whole diet may have various options like:
- Chicken necks
- Chicken wings
- Turkey necks
- Duck necks
- Lamb/ Pork/ Beef ribs
- Fish head/ frames
- Chicken carcasses
- Chicken feet
- Kangaroo tail
3- Secreting organs
A well-rounded and nutritionally complete meal for your dog ahead by adding secreting organs( usually 5% liver) of various prey animals because they are rich in vitamins and minerals. These organs may include:
- Liver: The best way to get vitamins A&B, B12, iron, and copper that maintain healthy vision and robust metabolism.
- Kidney is typically added to 10% of the diet to boost muscle and bone health.
- Spleen: The spleen of beef, lamb, or pork embodies zinc, iron, and selenium that help support the production of red blood cells.
- Brain: The brain tissue in a dog’s diet means giving your dog a high DHA and omega-6 fatty acid that builds cognitive function.
- Testicles: Make your dog’s reproductive health superb by appending testicles in an organ mix diet.
- Pancreas: The pancreas handles enzymes like amylase, lipase, and protease that help break down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the diet.
What to add to 80/10/10 raw dog food?
The proponent of this diet follows it because they believe that a dog should follow his ancestral diet, and this feeding plan makes their digestive system more accurate and eliminates all allergies that can be found in dogs especially.
The opponents of this raw food diet argue that raw food means more bacterial contamination, incomplete nutrient food, and food choking in case of natural bone intake.
So, what should I add to an 80/10/10 raw dog food diet?
1- Vegetables
Although dogs are carnivores, adding steamed vegetables and veggies as a puree means more minerals and fibre in their diet. The best options include Broccoli, Spinach, Carrots, Cabbage, Kale, Cucumber, and Beets.
2-Fruits
Some dog owners also add fruits just for taste and nutrition. These fruits may include raspberries, pears, apples, mangoes, pineapples, watermelon, and strawberries. But be cautious about giving dogs cherries, tomatoes, and avocados because these are toxic fruits.
3-Omega3 supplements
Fish oil carries a small omega-3 supplement that makes dog coats healthy and reduces their itchy skin. The lightly cooked fish is also a direct source of omega-3.
4-Eggs
Eggs are a great way of getting high protein that can be given to dogs in raw, fully, or partially cooked form. Chicken eggs are the best, and they can be exciting for dogs when presented with a whole shell. The duck and quail eggs can also be an excellent way to get calcium in high quantities.
5-Herbs
Including herbs in the raw food diet lessens the chances of a dog’s gastrointestinal issues, betters his respiratory system, and contains anti-inflammatory properties. The herb with a 1/8 to 1 teaspoon would give magic results, and that herb includes mint, oregano, thyme, coriander, ginger, sage, shea seeds, dandelion, and pumpkin seeds, but don’t rush to give him onion, paprika, mustard seeds, cloves, dried garlic, and bay leaf because it can create digestion and liver toxicity in him.
6-Nuts
All nuts are suitable for humans but bad for dogs. Always remember to give your dogs a small number of peanuts and cashews as a treat after weeks, but do not introduce walnuts, almonds, and pistachios because it may result in diarrhea, obesity, and vomiting.
7-Essential supplements
If you see the food is not fulfilling the body requirements of the dogs, add necessary healthy supplements to their diet like animal-based omega3, Probiotics, minerals, multivitamins like D, A, C & K, the wild and organic antioxidants in the form of squad berries, cold pressed coconut oil, and liver detox like LiverTune which I highly recommend because it removes all the toxic chemicals from the body.
FAQ
Can I feed only 80/10/10 raw to my dog?
The answer depends on your choice. Feeding only 80/10/10 raw food means 80% meat, 10% bones, and 10% organ meat to meet the complete body requirement with this particular ratio, but it may be a partial diet in the long run. In that case, you may compromise their digestive, bones, and mental health.
What are the signals that my dog is thriving on a raw diet?
Your dog turns bigger with a weight increase and will have a healthier, shinier coat and better energy level during raw intake.
What benefits and drawbacks do I face with 80/10/10 raw dog food?
One thing is imperfect; therefore, this 80/10/10 ratio has positive and negative consequences.
Pros:
- Healthy weight.
- Dental health stimulates.
- Better muscle and joint working.
- Improved behaviour due to taking their ancestral diet.
- Longer lifespan.
Cons:
- Most costly for the pocket.
- The risk of bacteria and pesticides is higher.
- They will need to get complete nutritional properties.
To Sum up
My childhood dog got sick at 10, so I looked into a study about raw diets for pets called the Pottenger Cat Study by Dr. Francis Marion of feeding natural instead of cooked meals to cats, which I implemented on my ill dog and switched him to an 80/10/10 raw diet with organs, and he got much better without needing medicine. Since then, I have recommended this 80/10/10 diet but find your safe corner. If your dogs have nutritional undernourishment and any sensitivity to this diet, switch to other diets.
