Feed the dog — not the label.
Why Raw Feeding Exists
Dogs are not designed to eat processed formulas. They are designed to eat animals.
A properly structured raw diet:
- centers on meat, bone, and organs
- minimizes unnecessary carbohydrates
- delivers nutrients in their natural form
This approach is not about trends. It’s about biological alignment.
The Target Model (Not Perfection — Direction)
A natural prey-based diet looks roughly like:
- Protein: ~49%
- Fat: ~44%
- Carbohydrates: ~6%
- Bone: 12–15%
- Organs: 10–15%
This is a model, not a formula. Real feeding is about balance over time — not perfection at every meal.
Think in Animal Parts — Not Ingredients
Muscle Meat
- Main source of calories
- Provides protein and fat
Bone
- Supplies calcium and phosphorus
- Balances the diet structurally
Organs
- High in vitamins and minerals
- Essential for long-term health
Meat alone is incomplete. Organs and bone are not optional — they are required.
The Most Common Mistake
Muscle meat:
- high in phosphorus
- low in calcium
Bone corrects this imbalance.
Meaty bones vary widely (27–71% bone depending on cut)
Too little calcium → long-term skeletal issues. Too much → also harmful.
Balance matters more than most people realize.
Energy Comes From Fat — Not Carbs
Fat:
- fuels metabolism
- supports hormones
- provides sustained energy
But quality matters:
- Poultry → higher in polyunsaturated fats
- Ruminants → more stable fats
Feeding only one protein source (like chicken) creates imbalance over time. Variety isn’t optional — it’s protective.
What the Animal Ate Matters
Not all meat is equal.
Hierarchy:
- Whole prey
- Pasture-raised
- Grain-fed
Animals store nutrients based on their diet.
Example: Free-range eggs contain more nutrients than confined eggs.
You are not just feeding meat — you are feeding the history of that animal.
Low — But Not Zero
Dogs can use carbohydrates. They just don’t require much.
- Meat ≈ 1% carbs
- Plants ≈ 4–8%
- Sugars much higher
Use carbs for:
- fiber
- micronutrients
- plant compounds
Not as the base of the diet.
What Changes With Heat
Cooking can reduce:
- folate (~70%)
- vitamin C (~50%)
- some minerals (lost in liquids)
Raw preserves nutrients — but sourcing and handling matter.
Start Simple — Then Adjust
Baseline: 2–3% of body weight per day
More precise: RER → MER energy calculations
But numbers are only a starting point.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
Your dog tells you if you’re right.
- Ribs easily felt → lean
- Ribs hard to feel → overweight
- Ribs sharp → underweight
The bowl doesn’t determine success. The body does.
Where Most Problems Come From
- Feeding only muscle meat
- Ignoring bone balance
- Lack of variety
- Overfeeding or underfeeding
- Following rigid plans instead of adjusting
There is no perfect plan — only correct adjustments.
AAFCO
AAFCO provides:
- minimum nutrient requirements
- baseline safety ranges
It does not define optimal nutrition.
Many commercial diets require fortification to meet standards.
Whole foods should supply most nutrients. Supplements should support — not replace — real food.
This Is Not About Perfection
It’s about:
- understanding structure
- observing your dog
- adjusting over time
If you get those right:
You don’t need:
- complicated formulas
- constant second-guessing
- rigid feeding rules
You just need awareness.