Is 80-10-10 good for dogs? The Complete Raw Feeding Guide

January 2, 2026 •

5 min read

According to veterinary nutritionists, while the 80-10-10 raw feeding model attempts to mimic a wild canine's diet, it is not a nutritionally complete and balanced diet for domestic dogs and can lead to significant health issues if not properly supplemented. This guide explores why the simple ratio isn't enough and how to ensure your dog receives a truly balanced raw food diet.

Quick Summary

The 80-10-10 raw diet, consisting of 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ meat, is a popular guideline that is nutritionally incomplete for most dogs, particularly puppies. Key nutrients like vitamins D and E, iodine, and essential fatty acids are often deficient, requiring careful supplementation and a wider variety of ingredients to achieve balance over time.

Key Points

Nutrient Deficiencies: Unsupplemented 80-10-10 diets are typically deficient in vital nutrients like vitamins D and E, iodine, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Risks of High Bone Content: The 10% bone ratio can cause gastrointestinal issues, including painful constipation and blockages, and contribute to nutritional imbalances.
Puppies are at Higher Risk: Growing puppies have stricter nutritional needs and are highly susceptible to permanent skeletal deformities and developmental issues from an unbalanced 80-10-10 diet.
Simplicity Over Balance: The 80-10-10 model is too simplistic and does not account for the complex and precise vitamin and mineral requirements of domestic dogs.
Require Added Ingredients: To achieve balance, the diet must be supplemented with a wider variety of ingredients, such as oily fish for omega-3s and kelp for iodine.
Seek Professional Guidance: For DIY raw feeding, consulting a veterinary or canine nutritionist is recommended to ensure the diet is complete and safe for your dog's specific needs.
Commercial Alternatives: AAFCO- or FEDIAF-compliant commercial raw foods are a safer and more reliable option for owners who cannot formulate a balanced diet themselves.

Understanding the 80-10-10 Raw Feeding Model

The 80-10-10 model is a common framework within the raw feeding community that aims to replicate the nutrient ratios found in a whole prey animal. The ratio breaks down into:

80% Muscle Meat: This forms the bulk of the diet, providing protein and fat. Examples include beef chuck, chicken thighs, and lamb shoulder.
10% Edible Bone: This is meant to supply calcium and phosphorus. Examples include soft, raw bones like chicken necks or wings.
10% Organ Meat: This is intended to provide a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals. Typically, this is composed of 5% liver and 5% other organs like kidney or spleen.

While this approach seems simple and biologically appropriate on the surface, modern domesticated dogs have evolved different nutritional requirements than their wild ancestors. Simply combining these three components does not automatically result in a diet that meets all the nutritional standards set by regulatory bodies like AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation).

Critical Nutrient Deficiencies in Unsupplemented 80-10-10 Diets

One of the biggest concerns with a strict 80-10-10 diet is the list of crucial nutrients it fails to provide in adequate, consistent amounts. These deficiencies can take months or even years to manifest but can lead to serious, long-term health problems.

Vitamin D: Unlike humans, dogs cannot synthesize enough Vitamin D from sunlight and must get it from their diet. Muscle meat is not a reliable source, leaving a significant gap. A deficiency can impair calcium absorption and immune function.
Vitamin E: This essential antioxidant is often insufficient in the meat typically used for raw diets. A shortage can lead to oxidative stress, especially if supplementing with omega-3s, and can cause skin, coat, and reproductive issues.
Iodine: Crucial for thyroid function, iodine is largely absent from the standard 80-10-10 components and can lead to thyroid disorders over time.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Many raw diet meats come from grain-fed animals, which have low levels of omega-3s. An imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can contribute to inflammation and affect joint, skin, and brain health.
Manganese: This mineral is important for joint health but is not consistently found in the muscle meat and organs specified in the ratio.
Zinc: Levels of this vital mineral vary significantly between different cuts and types of meat. Inadequate zinc can cause skin problems, poor immune function, and digestive upset.

The Risks of High Bone Content

While the inclusion of bone is necessary for calcium and phosphorus, the 10% ratio can be problematic for several reasons.

Constipation: Excessive bone can cause hard, chalky stools that are difficult and painful to pass, sometimes leading to impaction or blockages.
Imbalanced Minerals: A high intake of calcium from too much bone can interfere with the absorption of other vital minerals, worsening existing nutrient imbalances. For adult dogs, a bone percentage closer to 5-8% is often recommended.
Dental Issues: Feeding hard, weight-bearing bones from large animals can risk fracturing your dog's teeth, leading to expensive and painful dental procedures.

Balancing the 80-10-10 Diet: Going Beyond the Ratio

To make a raw diet truly complete, you must move beyond the basic 80-10-10 formula and incorporate a wider variety of ingredients and thoughtful supplementation. This process is more complex than it appears and is why many commercial raw foods add other ingredients to meet nutritional guidelines.

Comparison Table: 80-10-10 vs. Balanced Raw Diet


Feature	Basic 80-10-10 Diet	Balanced, Supplemented Raw Diet
Core Composition	80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ	Varies, with adjusted ratios and diverse ingredients
Nutritional Profile	Often deficient in key vitamins (D, E), minerals (zinc, iodine, manganese), and omega-3s.	Addresses nutrient gaps with species-appropriate supplements and whole foods.
Skeletal Health	Potential for calcium-phosphorus imbalance, especially for puppies.	Calcium levels are carefully monitored, and bone percentage is often lower (5-8%) for adults.
Key Additions	None required by the basic model.	Oily fish, kelp, seeds, and specific supplements are added regularly.
Digestive Support	May cause constipation due to high bone content.	Includes fibrous vegetables or green tripe to support gut health.
Long-Term Risk	Serious risk of nutrient deficiencies over time.	Minimal risk if formulated and monitored by a canine nutritionist.

How to Create a More Complete Diet

Achieving nutritional balance requires a commitment to diversity and educated supplementation.

Rotate Protein Sources: Do not rely on just one type of meat. Rotate between different proteins like chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb to provide a broader range of nutrients.
Add Oily Fish: Introduce oily fish like sardines, salmon, or mackerel several times a week to provide essential omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D.
Incorporate Seaweed: A small amount of kelp powder can correct the iodine deficiency common in DIY raw diets.
Use Ground Seeds: Soaked and ground seeds like flax, hemp, or chia can supply linoleic acid and additional nutrients.
Provide Fibrous Vegetables: While not essential for all raw feeders, a small percentage of lightly steamed and blended vegetables can aid digestion and add fiber.
Consider Supplements: For dogs with specific needs, targeted supplements like zinc or a high-quality fish oil may be necessary, but this should be done in consultation with a canine nutritionist.

Conclusion: The Importance of Balance Over Simplicity

In conclusion, while the 80-10-10 model is a simple starting point for raw feeding, it is not a complete and balanced diet for dogs and is particularly unsuitable for puppies. The risk of long-term nutrient deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids is significant and can lead to serious health consequences that may not be immediately obvious. Responsible raw feeding requires moving beyond the basic ratio and dedicating time to research, variety, and educated supplementation. For those who cannot commit to the extensive research and formulation required for a balanced homemade raw diet, professionally formulated commercial raw foods that meet AAFCO or FEDIAF standards offer a safer, more reliable option. Consulting with a veterinary nutritionist is always the best way to ensure your dog receives the complete nutrition they need to thrive.

Visit the Canine Code for more information on formulating balanced raw diets

Frequently Asked Questions

The 80-10-10 diet is a raw feeding guideline consisting of 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, and 10% organ meat. It is a common model that proponents believe mimics a wild canine's prey-based diet.

The diet is often deficient in several essential nutrients, including vitamins D and E, iodine, manganese, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are not adequately supplied by the basic meat, bone, and organ components alone.

No, it is particularly unsuitable for puppies. Their rapid growth demands a precise balance of calcium and phosphorus, and other minerals and vitamins, that the simplistic 80-10-10 ratio cannot guarantee.

Excess bone can lead to severe constipation, blockages, tooth fractures, and an unhealthy calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. For adult dogs, a lower bone percentage (5-8%) is often recommended.

Yes, supplementation is necessary to correct nutrient deficiencies. Common additions include oily fish or algae oil for omega-3s, kelp for iodine, and sources of Vitamin E.

While fruits and vegetables can provide fiber and antioxidants, they do not correct the primary vitamin and mineral deficiencies of the 80-10-10 model. Steaming or pureeing vegetables can increase digestibility for dogs.

Instead of relying solely on the 80-10-10 ratio, use a wide variety of protein sources, supplement with oily fish and kelp, and consider working with a qualified canine nutritionist. Alternatively, choose a pre-formulated commercial raw diet that meets AAFCO or FEDIAF standards.