Balanced raw (prey model): Homemade Dog Food Framework (80/10/10)
Balanced raw (prey model): 80/10/10 base, Ongoing sourcing, completeness = complete only with organ + bone. How to balance it correctly.
| Base ratio | 80/10/10 |
|---|---|
| Cost level | $$$ |
| Prep time | Ongoing sourcing |
| Completeness | Complete only with organ + bone |
The 80/10/10 prey model is complete on paper — muscle, organ, bone — but only if the whole animal is actually represented. Chicken backs alone are not prey model; they are chicken backs.
The framework
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Base ratio | 80/10/10 |
| Cost level | $$$ |
| Prep time | Ongoing sourcing |
| Completeness | Complete only with organ + bone |
Completeness means the recipe hits AAFCO adult or growth profiles including calcium, iodine, zinc and vitamins D and E — the four places home diets fail most often.
Making it balanced
Three paths reach completeness: a commercial balancer premix, a recipe built by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, or a properly composed whole-prey framework. Guessing from blog charts is not one of them.
- Weigh ingredients cooked, not raw — yields shift 25-40%.
- Batch-cook and portion by daily calorie target, not by eyeballed bowls.
- Add the balancer after cooling, never during cooking.
When to choose this over kibble
Balanced raw (prey model) makes sense for dogs with specific intolerances, owners who want ingredient control, or multi-dog households already cooking. It is more work and usually more cost than a mid-tier kibble — the payoff is control, not automatic superiority.
Balanced raw (prey model) works as a framework — completeness comes from what you add, not what you cook.
Frequently asked questions
Is homemade dog food healthier than kibble?
What supplement makes a home recipe complete?
Can I batch-cook for a week?
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