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The 80\/10\/10 raw food model (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% secreting organs) is one of the most popular starting points for raw feeders. It mimics the composition of a whole prey animal, and while it’s a fantastic foundation, it’s not a complete diet. When I first learned that an 80\/10\/10 diet wasn’t balanced, it made sense because most people appeared to be feeding a modified whole prey diet, referred to as FrankenPrey. By focusing on the 80\/10\/10, we were forgetting that the diet we were feeding lacked key components of prey animals: brains, eyeballs, guts, and fur. By excluding these from a raw diet, we were creating deficiencies.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s dive into why\u2014and more importantly, how to fix it using real, whole foods.<\/p>\n
Why 80\/10\/10 Falls Short<\/h2>\n The 80\/10\/10 model is rumored to have been developed during a conversation discussing the make-up of a prey animal. As a result, this model oversimplifies a complex nutritional picture and may not have been intended to be followed as religiously as it is today. Wild predators consume a diverse array of whole animals, including fur, feathers, blood, glands, brains, eyes, and stomach contents\u2014none of which are typically included in a home-prepared 80\/10\/10 diet. As a result, several key nutrients are missing or deficient.<\/p>\n
Nutrients Found in Prey Animal \u201cExtras\u201d<\/h3>\n The following are animal parts that raw feeders may struggle to source or feed (due to the ick factor), along with the nutritional benefits for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nPrey Part<\/th>\n Major Nutrients<\/th>\n Major Health Contributions<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\nEyeballs<\/strong><\/td>\nVitamin A, DHA, Zinc, Taurine, Collagen<\/td>\n Vision, brain health, skin\/joint health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nBrains<\/strong><\/td>\nDHA, B12, Phosphatidylcholine, Selenium<\/td>\n Brain function, nerve support, hormone balance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGuts<\/strong><\/td>\nManganese, Vitamin K2, enzymes, B vitamins<\/td>\n Digestion, joint health, immune function<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFur<\/strong><\/td>\nInsoluble fiber, keratin, trace minerals<\/td>\n Gut cleansing, detoxification, connective tissue support, hair\/skin health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFeathers<\/strong><\/td>\nInsoluble fiber, keratin, sulfur-containing amino acids (like cysteine and methionine)<\/td>\n Gut cleansing, detoxification, hair\/skin health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nCommon Nutrient Deficiencies in 80\/10\/10 Diets (and How to Fix Them)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nNutrient<\/strong><\/th>\nWhy It\u2019s Lacking<\/strong><\/th>\nWhole Food Fixes<\/strong><\/th>\nPotential Health Issues<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nVitamin E<\/strong><\/td>\nLacking in most raw meats<\/td>\n Salmon, sardines, pasture-raised eggs, raw sunflower seeds, almonds (sparingly)<\/td>\n Muscle weakness, vision impairment, poor reproductive health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nManganese<\/strong><\/td>\nLow in muscle meats and most organs<\/td>\n Mussels, green tripe, spinach, pumpkin seeds<\/td>\n Joint degeneration, poor ligament and tendon health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nIodine<\/strong><\/td>\nNot present in land-based meats<\/td>\n Kelp (small amounts)<\/td>\n Hypothyroidism, lethargy, poor coat quality<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nZinc<\/strong><\/td>\nOften low unless variety of organs is fed<\/td>\n Oysters, beef liver, pumpkin seeds, duck<\/td>\n Poor wound healing, skin issues, dull coat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nVitamin D<\/strong><\/td>\nBone deformities, muscle weakness, and immune dysfunction<\/td>\n Pasture-raised eggs, oily fish (sardines, mackerel), cod liver oil<\/td>\n Bone deformities, muscle weakness, immune dysfunction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nVitamin A<\/strong><\/td>\nOnly present in sufficient amounts in liver<\/td>\n Beef liver (1-2x\/week), cod liver oil (small doses)<\/td>\n Eye problems, poor immunity, skin issues<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nCopper<\/strong><\/td>\nOften missing unless feeding specific organs like liver<\/td>\n Beef liver, oysters, sunflower seeds<\/td>\n Anemia, bone abnormalities, neurological issues<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nCholine<\/strong><\/td>\nLow in raw meat unless brain and eggs are included<\/td>\n Pasture-raised eggs, organ meats, sardines<\/td>\n Fatty liver, neurological disorders<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nSelenium<\/strong><\/td>\nInconsistent in meats; soil-dependent<\/td>\n Brazil nuts (tiny amounts), sardines, eggs<\/td>\n Muscle weakness, immune issues<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nFolate (B9)<\/strong><\/td>\nLacking unless leafy greens or tripe are added<\/td>\n Spinach, beef liver, green tripe<\/td>\n Anemia, birth defects, poor cell regeneration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nMagnesium<\/strong><\/td>\nOften low in meaty diets<\/td>\n Pumpkin seeds, spinach, mackerel<\/td>\n Muscle tremors, heart irregularities, weakness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nBonus: Other Often-Missing Elements<\/h2>\n\nOmega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)<\/strong>: Rare unless feeding oily fish: add sardines, mackerel, or fish oil<\/li>\nFiber<\/strong>: Not technically a \u201cdeficiency,\u201d but raw diets often lack it: add ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or steamed\/fermented veggies<\/li>\nPhytochemicals & Antioxidants<\/strong>: Absent in meat-only diets: add berries, spinach, broccoli, turmeric, or other fresh herbs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat Health Issues Can Result?<\/h2>\n If not corrected, an 80\/10\/10 diet can eventually cause chronic issues such as:<\/p>\n
\nDull coat, itchy skin, frequent infections<\/strong>: zinc, EFA, or vitamin E deficiency<\/li>\nPoor vision or night blindness:<\/strong> vitamin A or E deficiency<\/li>\nLow energy, anemia, muscle wasting<\/strong>: vitamin B12, copper, or iron deficiency<\/li>\nJoint instability or early arthritis:<\/strong> manganese or zinc deficiency<\/li>\nPoor immune response<\/strong>: selenium, zinc, and vitamin D deficiency<\/li>\nThyroid dysfunction:<\/strong> iodine deficiency<\/li>\nFatty liver disease:<\/strong> choline deficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHow to Improve an 80\/10\/10 Diet with Whole Foods<\/h2>\n When the topic of balance and ratio diets is broached, there will always be people who can point to dogs that have thrived on an 80\/10\/10 diet. I’m unable to explain why this is the case. Based on my research and courses, changing the proteins regularly is not enough to cover every deficiency in a ratio diet. The more I learned about canine nutrition, the more cautious I became about my dogs’ diet.<\/p>\n
And as much as I believe that \u201cbalance\u201d varies depending on the dog, I also think it’s essential to do my best for my dogs today to avoid potential health issues down the line. I don’t plan to discard the 80\/10\/10 model; instead, I’ve refined the diet by adding additional foods to the mix. Of course, the amount and frequency depend on the dog and the meal.<\/p>\n
\nRaw eggs<\/strong>\u2013 for choline, selenium, and vitamin D<\/li>\nOily fish <\/strong>\u2013 sardines, mackerel, or smelt for omega-3s and vitamin D<\/li>\nGreen tripe<\/strong> \u2013 for manganese, enzymes, and probiotics<\/li>\nBeef liver<\/strong> \u2013 vitamin A, copper, folate<\/li>\nKelp or seaweed (tiny daily pinch)<\/strong> \u2013 natural iodine source<\/li>\nPumpkin or chia seeds<\/strong> \u2013 for magnesium, fiber, and zinc<\/li>\nLeafy greens & cruciferous veggies (pureed or blanched)<\/strong> \u2013 antioxidants, folate, fiber<\/li>\nBerries (blueberries, raspberries)<\/strong> \u2013 rich in antioxidants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHow I Corrected the 80\/10\/10 Model<\/h2>\n The 80\/10\/10 diet is a great starting point, but dogs need more than muscle meat, bone, and liver to thrive. Without strategic additions, your dog may develop nutrient gaps that could lead to long-term health consequences. This information is not intended to deter people from raw feeding or to complicate the process.<\/strong><\/p>\nBy thoughtfully incorporating a wider range of whole, species-appropriate foods, you can build a more complete and biologically balanced raw diet, without relying on synthetic supplements. I do this by using a base mix<\/a><\/strong>. Because I’m adding a base mix to an 80\/10\/10 blend, I don’t follow the instructions on the bag; instead, I use less of the base mix and add other whole foods, such as canned boiled oysters, chia or hemp seeds, and other foods, depending on the recipe.<\/p>\nThe more I delved into the topic of canine nutrition, the more I became convinced that homemade raw diets often overlook several essential nutritional components, unless you’re feeding whole prey (such as whole rabbits, quail, or fish). Without these nutrients:<\/p>\n