Raw Feeding Ratios for Puppies and Adult Dogs
By Raw Dogs Dorset ·
Raw feeding ratios describe the proportions of ingredients in a recipe. They are different from the amount your dog eats each day. The common 80/10/10 split means 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% offal; it does not, by itself, prove that a food supplies every essential nutrient. For a puppy, choose a complete food specifically suitable for growth and use its feeding instructions.
The 80/10/10 Ratio
The most widely used framework for raw feeding is the 80/10/10 ratio:
- 80% muscle meat - the main protein and energy source
- 10% raw bone - provides calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals
- 10% offal - of which at least half should be liver, with the rest being secreting organs such as kidney, spleen or pancreas
An 80/10/10 recipe can be labelled complete or complementary: the ingredient ratio alone cannot tell you which. Check the actual pack and its stated life stage. Our complete versus complementary guide explains what the labels mean before you choose a regular meal.
Why Each Component Matters
Muscle meat
Muscle meat supplies protein and other nutrients; heart is usually counted in this category in raw-feeding terminology. Different recipes have different fat and energy levels. Rotating meats can provide variety, but variety alone does not establish that a diet is nutritionally balanced.
Raw bone
Bone contributes calcium and phosphorus, but an ingredient percentage does not tell you the final mineral balance. Puppies need carefully controlled nutrition for growth, especially large and giant breeds. Do not add bone or calcium supplements to a complete puppy food unless your veterinary team advises it. Whole bones also carry risks of broken teeth, choking and obstruction; raw does not mean risk-free.
Offal
Liver and other organs provide concentrated nutrients, and many 80/10/10 recipes divide the offal portion between liver and another secreting organ. This is a description of a recipe convention, not a universal feeding prescription. Extra liver or other additions can upset the balance of a complete food, so follow the manufacturer rather than adding organs to meet a ratio yourself.
Raw Feeding Ratios for Puppies
A puppy needs a diet formulated for growth, rather than an adult recipe with a larger portion or extra bone. The right daily amount depends on age, current weight, expected adult size and the energy density of the particular food. Generic percentages from different feeding guides are not interchangeable.
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Food label | Choose a complete food explicitly suitable for puppies or growth. |
| Daily amount | Use that product’s puppy feeding guide and weigh the full daily allowance. |
| Meals | Divide that allowance into age-appropriate meals; ask your vet about frequency. |
| Growth | Reweigh regularly and review body condition and portions as your puppy grows. |
| Large or giant breeds | Check growth suitability with your vet; do not add calcium or bone without advice. |
Keep your puppy lean and monitor their growth with your veterinary team. Different breeds mature at different ages, so reaching 12 months is not an automatic instruction to change to adult food. Follow the product guidance and individual advice rather than a fixed birthday.
Do You Need to Hit the Ratio Every Day?
Nutritional adequacy needs to come from a suitable feeding plan. Do not assume that rotating meat, bone and offal over a week makes a diet complete, especially for a growing puppy. A life-stage-appropriate complete food, fed as directed, makes this easier; substantial toppers or complementary additions can dilute its balance.
A Practical Starting Point
If you are choosing raw for a puppy, first check the specific recipe’s growth suitability. Browse our puppy raw food range and read each product label. For an adult dog’s grams-per-day examples, use the separate adult portion guide so recipe ratios and daily quantities stay clear.
Our raw feeding guide covers everything from getting started to rotating proteins and adjusting portions. And if you have questions, we are always happy to help.
How much raw food should a puppy eat per meal?
Start with the daily amount recommended for the specific puppy food, then divide it by the number of meals. For illustration only, a label-directed 600g daily allowance split across three meals is 200g per meal. This arithmetic does not mean every puppy should eat 600g: the product and your puppy’s growth needs determine the starting amount.
Is 80/10/10 raw food complete for puppies?
Not automatically. The ratio describes ingredients. Look for a complete-food statement and explicit suitability for growth; ask the manufacturer or your veterinary team if the label is unclear.
Plan a suitable order
Once the daily amount is established, compare monthly food costs and freezer storage. Check that every recipe in a mixed box is suitable for your puppy before ordering.
Independent nutrition and safety guidance
Read UK Pet Food’s puppy nutrition guidance and UKHSA’s raw pet food hygiene advice. These are independent sources; this article is practical retail guidance, not an individual veterinary feeding prescription.
Ready to put your feeding plan into practice?
Once you know your dog's portion sizes and freezer space, compare genuine Southcliffe box weights, one-off prices and repeat-delivery options before choosing what to order. Always check the product's complete or complementary label.