🥩 How to Feed Raw Properly: A Real-World Guide to 80:10:10

Including Proteins, Supplements, Fibre, and Fruit & Veg – For Dogs, Cats & Ferrets

The 80:10:10 ratio is often thrown around in the raw feeding world — but what does it actually mean, and how do you make sure you're doing it right?

At Raw Feeding Dagenham, we sell a wide range of balanced 80:10:10 minces and completes, but we also believe in helping you understand why balance matters. Whether you're feeding a full raw diet or just looking to upgrade your pet's bowl, here’s what you really need to know.

🧮 What is 80:10:10?

The 80:10:10 raw feeding model refers to the ratio of ingredients in a raw meal designed to mirror the composition of a prey animal:

• 80% Muscle Meat

• 10% Raw Bone (soft, edible bones)

• 10% Organ – with at least 5% being liver, and the remaining 5% from other secreting organs (like kidney, spleen, pancreas, etc.)

This ratio forms the foundation of a biologically appropriate raw diet for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
It’s not about perfection in every single meal — it’s about getting the balance right over time.

🔄 Why Mixing Proteins Matters

Feeding the same protein over and over (like just chicken or beef) can cause nutritional gaps, boredom, or even sensitivities over time.

Different proteins provide different benefits:

• Duck – Rich in iron and B vitamins

• Turkey – Lean and easy to digest

• Lamb – Higher in healthy fats and zinc

• Beef – Great amino acid profile

• Rabbit, Goat, Venison – Novel proteins, good for variety or allergies

• Fish (like oily fish) – High in omega-3s for skin, coat, joint and brain health

🐟 Common oily fish in raw diets:

• Sardines

• Mackerel

• Herring

• Anchovies

• Sprats

• Salmon (in moderation – always freeze first to eliminate parasites)

• Trout (also a good option when responsibly sourced)

💡 Rotate proteins as often as possible — even 2–3 different ones a week can make a big difference.

If you shop in bulk, it’s easy to rotate by switching up your protein choices with each order. For example:

• One week: chicken, lamb, duck

• Next time: turkey, pork, beef

• Tip: Try also rotating in novel proteins like rabbit, goat, pheasant, quail etc

You don’t need to stick to one brand — raw feeding is flexible.
If your favourite brand has limited protein options, just add in  another brand for variety. It will not cause any tummy upset switching from brand to brand, in fact feeding variety is even better anyway as all brands have different recipes, tastes and textures!

✅ A good rule of thumb: try to include at least one red meat and one type of poultry each time you shop or plan meals, for balanced amino acids and nutrient diversity.

If your pet has allergies or dietary restrictions, this is where targeted natural supplements become essential — helping to fill in any gaps safely.

💊 Why You Might Still Need Supplements

Even when feeding 80:10:10 properly, minced meats can lack some of the micronutrients wild prey would naturally provide — like fur, feathers, gut content, or mineral-rich organ diversity.

That’s where smart, natural supplementation makes a difference.

✅ BARF Completes:

These are balanced especially for raw 80:10:10 meals with added nutrients like seaweed, oils, or herbal support — great for those who want a simple, all-in-one solution.

✅ Targeted Natural Supplements (from Shanzi Naturals):

We offer a full range of functional, herbal-based supplements that work beautifully alongside raw diets:

• EasyMove Joint Support – Helps mobility, stiffness, and inflammation naturally

• Gut Health Blends – a blend of digestive herbs & botanicals to support nutrient absorption and stool quality

• Allergy armour – Supports skin and immune balance during high-allergen seasons

• Calm drops/powders – For anxious or reactive pets (fireworks, travel, vet visits)

• Flea free– Perfect to naturally deter fleas without the use of chemicals

💡 All Shanzi Naturals supplements are free from fillers, grains, and synthetics — just active, purposeful ingredients.

🌾 Do Raw-Fed Pets Need Fibre?

Fibre helps support:

• Healthy, firm stools

• Anal gland expression

• Gut microbiome balance

• Nutrient absorption

🐶 Dogs:

Some benefit from fibre — either from veg or a natural fibre supplement. If you don’t feed fruit or veg, or your dog doesn’t tolerate it well, we recommend our Shanzi Naturals Fibre Complex — a simple, safe, and non-bulky way to add fibre without grain or carb-heavy fillers.

🐱 Cats & Ferrets:

As obligate carnivores, they don’t require fibre unless recommended for a specific health need. Stick to well-balanced meat, bone, and organ — no fruit or veg necessary.

🥦 Should I Add Fruits or Vegetables?

Fruit and veg aren’t part of a strict 80:10:10 diet, but some dogs benefit from them in moderation — especially for antioxidants, fibre, and phytonutrients.

If you choose to add them:

• 🥕 Use a small amount — no more than 20% of the total meal

• 🧊 Steam, mash, or blend — dogs can’t break down raw plant cell walls easily

Best fruit & veg for dogs:

• Carrot

• Pumpkin or butternut squash

• Blueberries

• Apple (no seeds)

• Cucumber

• Broccoli (steamed)

• Spinach/kale (lightly cooked)

Best to avoid:

• White potatoes

• Corn

• Grapes or raisins (toxic)

• Onion, garlic (toxic in quantity)

• Avocado (only parts are safe)

Cats and ferrets? Skip it. They don’t need any.

🥩 80:10:10 vs. Completes: What’s the Difference?

At Raw Feeding Dagenham, we stock both:

• 80:10:10 Minces – Flexible, balanced bases that allow you to add your own supplements, variety, and toppers

• FEDIAF-Compliant Completes – Fully balanced, regulation-aligned raw meals for those who want easy, ready-to-serve nutrition

If you’re feeding only 80:10:10, make sure you’re rotating proteins and adding supplements like omega-3, fibre, or our targeted Shanzi Naturals blends to fill in any gaps.

🐾 Final Tips for Feeding 80:10:10 Right

• ✅ Don’t stress over perfection — balance over time is fine

• 🔄 Rotate proteins for a broader nutrient profile

• 🧠 Watch stool quality, energy, skin and coat — they’ll tell you a lot
  

💬 You're Not Alone — We're Here to Help

There are just two of us behind Raw Feeding Dagenham, and one of us is always a message or phone call away. Whether you’re brand new to raw or just want to get things right — we’ve got your back.

🐶 Check out our balanced  80:10:10 minces, FEDIAF-compliant completes, and Shanzi Naturals supplements to build the ideal raw routine for your dog, cat, or ferret.