How much muscle meat should a dog eat?

January 2, 2026 •

4 min read

Raw diet guidelines, such as the Prey Model Raw (PMR) and Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) approaches, typically recommend that muscle meat constitutes 70% to 80% of a dog's total daily food intake. Learning how much muscle meat should a dog eat is crucial for pet owners aiming to provide a species-appropriate and nutritionally complete diet for their canine companion. This percentage must be balanced correctly with other food groups to prevent serious nutritional deficiencies.

Quick Summary

Adult dogs on a raw diet should typically eat 2-3% of their body weight daily, with 70-80% of that total composed of muscle meat. This must be carefully balanced with raw bones and organ meats to avoid nutritional gaps and support overall health.

Key Points

Optimal Percentage: For a balanced raw diet, muscle meat should constitute 70-80% of your dog’s total daily food intake, depending on the feeding model followed.
Total Portion Calculation: An adult dog’s total daily food amount is typically 2-3% of their ideal body weight, adjusted for activity level and age.
Balancing Nutrients: Muscle meat must be balanced with raw edible bones (for calcium) and organ meats (for vitamins and minerals) to avoid deficiencies.
Include Variety: Incorporate a variety of muscle meat sources, like beef, chicken, and turkey, to ensure a broader spectrum of amino acids and nutrients.
Consult a Professional: Due to the risk of nutrient deficiencies in homemade diets, it is highly recommended to work with a qualified canine nutritionist or vet.
Food Safety is Key: Practice strict hygiene when handling raw meat to prevent bacterial contamination and cross-contamination in your household.

Understanding the Raw Diet Ratio for Dogs

For dog owners interested in feeding a raw diet, understanding the appropriate ratios of ingredients is fundamental. Two of the most common raw feeding models are the Prey Model Raw (PMR) and the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet. Both provide specific guidelines on the percentage of muscle meat to include in your dog's meals to ensure they get the necessary protein and nutrients.

The Role of Muscle Meat in a Dog's Diet

Muscle meat is the primary source of protein and amino acids in a raw diet, which are essential for building and repairing tissues, producing hormones and enzymes, and supporting a healthy immune system. However, muscle meat alone lacks the complete spectrum of nutrients found in a whole prey animal, which is why it must be supplemented with other components like bone and organs. A diet consisting of only muscle meat can lead to severe nutrient deficiencies, including a dangerous calcium-to-phosphorus imbalance.

Prey Model Raw (PMR) vs. Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF)

While both models emphasize feeding a species-appropriate diet, they differ slightly in their recommended ratios and additional ingredients. The PMR model is a simpler, meat-focused approach, while the BARF model incorporates plant matter for additional vitamins and minerals. Here is a comparison:


Feature	Prey Model Raw (PMR)	Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF)
Muscle Meat Ratio	80%	70%
Raw Edible Bones	10%	10%
Organ Meat	10% (5% liver, 5% other secreting organs)	10% (5% liver, 5% other secreting organs)
Plant Matter (Fruits/Veggies)	Optional or none	7-10% recommended
Supplements (e.g., seeds/nuts)	Optional	2-3% recommended

Calculating Your Dog's Daily Portion

Determining the total amount of food your dog needs is the first step before calculating how much muscle meat to include. As a general guideline, adult dogs should consume approximately 2% to 3% of their ideal body weight in raw food daily. This percentage can be adjusted based on several factors:

Activity Level: More active dogs may require a higher percentage (closer to 3%), while less active or senior dogs may need closer to 2%.
Weight Management: Overweight dogs may be fed a lower percentage based on their ideal weight, while underweight dogs may need more.
Age: Puppies have significantly higher caloric and nutrient needs for growth and development, often requiring 4% to 10% of their body weight, gradually decreasing as they mature.

Example Calculation: For a healthy, moderately active 25kg adult dog aiming for 2.5% of their body weight daily, the total daily food would be: $25kg * 0.025 = 0.625kg$ (or 625g).

If following the PMR model (80% muscle meat), the amount of muscle meat would be: $625g * 0.80 = 500g$.

What Counts as Muscle Meat?

When formulating a raw diet, 'muscle meat' is a broad category. It includes boneless cuts of meat from various animals like chicken, beef, and turkey. Additionally, muscular organs such as the heart and gizzards are often classified as muscle meat due to their nutritional profile and structure. Incorporating different types of protein sources offers a wider range of nutrients and amino acids.

Common Muscle Meat Sources:

Chicken breast, thighs, and gizzards
Beef steak, roasts, and heart
Turkey meat
Lamb
Pork
Fish (e.g., sardines or mackerel)

The Risks of Imbalance

While meat is a crucial component, an unbalanced diet can lead to health issues. A diet too high in muscle meat and lacking sufficient calcium from raw edible bones can result in a dangerously skewed calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, potentially causing skeletal and neurological problems. Similarly, neglecting nutrient-dense organ meats can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, B vitamins, and trace minerals.

Importance of Food Safety and Preparation

Regardless of the feeding model, proper handling of raw meat is critical to prevent bacterial contamination with pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. Pet owners must take the same precautions as they would when preparing food for human consumption:

Use dedicated utensils and cutting boards for raw pet food.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling.
Freeze and thaw meat safely; never re-freeze thawed meat.
Clean all food surfaces, bowls, and equipment after each meal.

Seeking Professional Guidance

Research from institutions like UC Davis has shown that a high percentage of homemade dog diet recipes from online sources and books are nutritionally unbalanced and contain multiple deficiencies. For this reason, it is highly recommended to consult with a qualified canine nutritionist or a veterinarian knowledgeable in raw feeding to create a balanced meal plan tailored to your dog's specific needs, age, and health status. An expert can help ensure that the portion size, including the amount of muscle meat, is correct and that all nutritional requirements are met over time. For more information on potential deficiencies, you can review veterinary studies, like those often discussed by Royal Canin Academy.

Conclusion

For a healthy, raw-fed dog, muscle meat should form the bulk of their diet, typically comprising 70-80% of their daily intake. However, this component must be part of a carefully constructed, balanced diet that also includes raw edible bones and nutrient-rich organ meats. The total food amount depends on your dog's body weight, age, and activity level, with adult dogs generally requiring 2-3% of their body weight per day. Given the complexity of ensuring a complete nutritional profile, seeking guidance from a professional canine nutritionist or veterinarian is the most reliable way to avoid deficiencies and safely implement a raw feeding plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 80-10-10 rule is a guideline for a Prey Model Raw (PMR) diet, which suggests feeding your dog a ratio of 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, and 10% organ meat (5% liver and 5% other secreting organs) to mimic the proportions of a whole prey animal.

No, feeding your dog only muscle meat is dangerous and can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies, particularly a critical imbalance of calcium and phosphorus. A balanced raw diet requires a mix of muscle meat, edible bones, and organs.

A good starting point for adult dogs is to feed 2% to 3% of their ideal body weight per day. Active dogs may need more, while sedentary or senior dogs may need less. It is important to monitor your dog's weight and adjust accordingly.

First, calculate your dog's total daily food amount based on their body weight and activity level. For an adult dog, this is typically 2-3% of their weight. Then, take 70-80% of that total amount to determine the daily muscle meat portion, based on your chosen raw feeding model.

Yes, organs with a muscular structure like the heart and gizzards are often classified and counted as muscle meat in raw feeding calculations. This is because their nutritional profile is more similar to muscle meat than secreting organs like the liver or kidneys.

Homemade raw diets carry risks of nutritional imbalances, especially if not professionally formulated. Studies show many DIY recipes are deficient in key nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and zinc. There is also a risk of bacterial contamination from improper handling of raw meat.

A balanced raw diet generally consists of a combination of 70-80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bones, 10% organ meat (5% liver, 5% other organs), and optional additions like fruits and vegetables, depending on the specific diet model.