Raw Feeding Dogs: The Complete Evidence-Based Guide (BARF vs PMR, Ratios, Safety)
Complete guide to raw feeding dogs: BARF vs PMR models, 80/10/10 ratios, calcium math, safety (salmonella, bones), transitioning, and when raw is NOT appropriate.
BARF vs PMR — the two main models
Raw feeding has two schools. BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), coined by Australian vet Ian Billinghurst in the 1990s, includes fruits, vegetables, and supplements. A typical BARF plate: 70% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bones, 10% organ meat, 10% vegetables/fruits/eggs.
PMR(Prey Model Raw) strips out the plant matter entirely. The theory: dogs are carnivores and wild wolves don't eat vegetables. PMR ratios: 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% other organs. It's simpler but harder to balance trace nutrients without supplementation.
Research doesn't strongly favor one model over the other. BARF is easier for DIY balance; PMR is closer to ancestral diet.
How much to feed
| Dog life stage / activity | % of body weight daily |
|---|---|
| Sedentary adult (weight loss goal) | 1.5-2% |
| Maintenance adult | 2-3% |
| Active adult | 3-4% |
| Working dog | 4-5% |
| Puppy 2-4 months | 8-10% |
| Puppy 4-6 months | 5-7% |
| Puppy 6-12 months | 3-5% |
| Pregnant (late) | 2-3% + 10-25% |
| Lactating | 4-8% |
Use our Raw Food Calculatorto get exact grams per day by your dog's weight, then split into 1-2 meals.
Safety: what the evidence says
The AVMA officially discourages raw feeding due to salmonellosis risk. The reality is more nuanced: healthy adult dogs rarely get clinically ill from raw feeding (shorter GI tract + more acidic stomach than humans). The bigger concern is household contamination — raw-fed dogs shed salmonella in stool, which can infect immunocompromised humans, infants, and elderly family members.
CDC-documented human cases of salmonellosis from pet-food handling exist but are uncommon when basic hygiene is followed:
- Prep on easily-sanitized surfaces (stainless steel, glass) — avoid wood cutting boards.
- Wash hands + surfaces with hot soapy water after handling.
- Don't reuse dishes between raw and human food prep.
- Keep raw-fed dogs out of beds of infants & immunocompromised family members.
- Freezing meat for >3 weeks at 0°F reduces parasite risk but NOT salmonella.
Bones — raw only, properly sized
Cooked bones are brittle and splinter — they're linked to intestinal perforation and are an ER visit waiting to happen. Raw bones are flexible and crushable — safer but still need thoughtful selection:
- Appropriate size: bone should be longer than the dog's muzzle so it can't be swallowed whole.
- Soft bones (chicken wings, necks, rabbit, duck feet) — ground and mixed with meat is safest for gulpers.
- Meaty bones (pork neck, lamb ribs, beef knuckle) — need supervision.
- Avoid: weight-bearing leg bones of large animals (cow femur) — can crack teeth.
Nutritional completeness
A single day's raw meal rarely hits every nutrient target. What matters is the 14-day rotation:
- Rotate 3-4 protein sources (chicken, beef, lamb, fish) to balance amino acids and fats.
- Include fatty fish 1-2 times/week for omega-3 (sardines, mackerel, salmon).
- Organ rotation: liver twice/week, kidney once/week, heart can be fed as muscle meat.
- Eggshell powder adds calcium for bone-free portions.
- Fresh water >> bone broth; dried kelp for iodine; alfalfa for minerals.
Alternatively, use a commercial raw brand (Stella & Chewy's, Primal, Steve's Real Food, Darwin's) — these are AAFCO-complete and take the balancing guesswork out.
Transitioning
Most adult dogs transition fast. Two options:
- Fast-switch: skip 1 meal (24h fast), then start raw. Most dogs handle this cleanly. Loose stool 2-4 days is normal.
- Gradual: 7-14 day ratio shift, 25% raw day 1-3, 50% day 4-7, 75% day 8-10, 100% by day 14. Recommended for sensitive dogs.
Watch for: persistent diarrhea >7 days (reduce amount or change protein), vomiting within 2 hours of meal (too much bone), itchy paws post-meal (protein allergy — try novel protein).
When NOT to feed raw
- Immunocompromised dogs: Cushing's, lymphoma, dogs on prednisone or chemotherapy.
- Dogs with pancreatitis history: high-fat raw cuts can trigger another episode.
- Giant-breed puppies (Danes, mastiffs, Newfies) without an experienced raw-diet vet — bone/calcium imbalance causes irreversible orthopedic disease.
- Households with infants <2 years old, elderly >65, or immunocompromised family members.
- Dogs with known salmonella infection or chronic GI issues — get a diagnosis first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between BARF and PMR?
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, coined by Ian Billinghurst) includes ~10% vegetables, fruits, and supplements — mimicking what wild canids eat including stomach contents. PMR (Prey Model Raw) is 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% other organs — no plant matter. PMR is closer to what wild wolves actually eat; BARF is easier to balance.
Is raw feeding safe for my dog?
For healthy adult dogs: usually yes if handled correctly (clean surfaces, frozen or vet-sourced meat, fresh daily). Risks: salmonella/E. coli (rarely affects healthy dogs but can spread to humans), choking on bones, nutritional imbalance if done poorly. NOT safe for: immunocompromised dogs, pregnant/lactating bitches without vet oversight, households with infants or elderly.
How much should I feed my dog?
Adult dog: 2-3% of body weight daily. 50 lb dog = 1-1.5 lb raw food per day. Puppies: 5-10% of body weight, adjusted as they grow. Working dogs + active athletes: up to 4%. Use our Raw Food Calculator for breed-specific numbers.
What about salmonella and food safety?
Dogs have shorter digestive tracts and more acidic stomachs than humans — they tolerate bacterial loads we can't. Most studies show raw-fed dogs shed salmonella in stool but rarely get sick. Human risk is real though — always sanitize prep surfaces, wash hands, don't kiss raw-fed dogs for 30 min post-meal, keep away from toddlers/elderly.
Can I give bones?
RAW bones only — NEVER cooked (cooked bones splinter and cause internal injuries). Size bone appropriate to dog — a 5 lb dog can't handle a cow femur. Weight-bearing bones (femur, knuckle) can crack teeth — use recreational bones carefully. Soft raw bones (chicken wings, necks, rabbit) are safest.
Is raw feeding nutritionally complete?
Only if you balance it over time. Common deficiencies in DIY raw: iodine, manganese, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3. Commercial raw (Stella & Chewy's, Primal, Steve's Real Food) are AAFCO-complete; DIY requires supplements or a rotational diet spanning 14+ days to balance nutrients.
How do I transition my dog to raw?
Option 1 (fast): 24h fast, then start raw. Most dogs handle this fine. Option 2 (gradual): 7-14 days mixing raw with current food. Expect loose stool for 3-5 days as gut adjusts. Some dogs respond to specific proteins — start with one protein (chicken or turkey), add others one at a time.
Is raw better than kibble?
The research is mixed. Pro-raw claims (better coat, smaller stools, more energy) are largely anecdotal or from observational studies with confounders. Controlled studies show both high-quality kibble and well-formulated raw diets produce healthy dogs. Convenience, cost, and owner preference often decide.
How much does raw feeding cost?
DIY sourced from butcher scraps: $1-3/lb = $1-4/day for a 50 lb dog. Commercial frozen raw (Stella & Chewy's, Primal): $5-8/lb = $5-12/day for same dog. Freeze-dried raw is most expensive ($15-25/lb). Compare to premium kibble at $2-4/day.
When should I NOT feed raw?
Skip raw for: (1) puppies growing rapidly if you can't follow a large-breed balanced recipe — bone deficiency causes orthopedic disease; (2) dogs with pancreatitis history (high-fat raw cuts can trigger); (3) immunocompromised dogs (Cushing's, lymphoma, on prednisone); (4) households with infants, elderly, or immunocompromised humans; (5) dogs with known GI issues until diagnosed.
Sources & References
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