80/10/10 Raw Food: A Complete Guide for Pet Parents
If your new to raw feeding, you are going to come across the term 80/10/10, but what exactly is it and is it the right choice for your pet? Let's delve into the world of this unique diet and answer all your burning questions.
What is 80/10/10 Raw Food?
80/10/10 raw food is a formula comprised of:
- 80% muscle meat: This high-quality protein content comes from various sources like beef, chicken, lamb, fish, or even game meats.
- 10% bone: Ground or pulverized bones provide essential calcium and phosphorus for strong teeth and bones.
- 10% organ meat: Livers, kidneys, and hearts are nutrient powerhouses, rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
This specific ratio mimics the natural prey diet, emphasizing protein and essential nutrients while minimizing carbohydrates and fillers.
Benefits of 80/10/10 Raw Pet Food
Proponents of 80/10/10 raw food tout several benefits for your pet:
- Improved Digestion: The high protein content and lack of grains or fillers can lead to smaller, firmer stools and better digestion overall.
- Increased Energy Levels: A diet rich in natural protein and nutrients can fuel your pets energy levels, keeping them active and playful.
- Shinier Coat and Healthier Skin: The essential fatty acids and vitamins found in organ meats can contribute to a glossier coat and healthier skin.
- Stronger Teeth and Bones: The inclusion of bone in the diet provides natural calcium and phosphorus for optimal dental and skeletal health.
- Reduced Allergies and Sensitivities: Grain-free and often single-protein source nature of 80/10/10 food can be helpful for pet's with food allergies or sensitivities.
Things to Consider Before Switching to 80/10/10
While 80/10/10 raw food can be a great option for many pet's, it's essential to consider some factors before making the switch:
- Preparation: Raw food comes frozen requiring thawing before feeding as well as needing to be stored in a freezer. It can be stored along side human food as it is well packaged.
- Nutritional Balance: When feeding 80/10/10, variety in protein sources is key to ensuring your pet gets a complete range of essential amino acids for optimal health. We suggest feeding a minimum of 3 proteins on rotation as well as a source of oily fish 1-3 times weekly.
Making the Switch to 80/10/10
If you've decided to give 80/10/10 raw food a try, here are some tips for a smooth transition:
- Straight switch: There is no need to do a gradual switch to raw, just pick a day and go for it. You can of course choose to switch gradually if you prefer.
- Monitor your pet: Keep an eye on your pet's stool consistency and overall behavior. You should expect stools to become smaller, less frequent and much firmer however, keep an eye out for constipation, this may be a sign of too much bone and you may benefit from adding some boneless meat to each meal or, if you have a dog, consider feeding a B.A.R.F diet instead.
- Choose the right food: At Raw Feeding Dagenham, we stock a range of reputable brands that use high-quality human grade ingredients so you don't need to worry over choosing a food. If your pet is prone to allergies, let us know and we can help choose a food that is right for them.
Feeding 80/10/10 to Cats and Ferrets.
Most 80/10/10 foods are marketed as working dog foods. However, this does not mean that they aren't suitable for cats and ferrets too. After all, the ratio is made up to mimic the makeup of natural prey. The actual ingredients are no different as it is simply a carnivorous diet made up of meat bone and offal.
To learn more about feeding an 80/10/10 diet to a cat or ferret, please click here.
We hope this article has been useful to you. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact us.