Raw diet for dogs - barf & pmr explained

This calculator helps dog parents to plan raw diets for their dogs. With this calculator, the dog parents can plan a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) and Prey Model Raw (PMR) diet for their dogs. The dog parent can view the default system settings for BARF and PMR models but can change the percentage allocation as needed.

This calculator can also be used for planning homemade cooked diets. Use the BARF and PMR meal configuration styles and use minimal cooking to avoid nutrient loss.

Find below the instructions on how to use this calculator:

Weight of the dog:

Input the current weight of the dog in pounds or in kilograms. We use the same weight unit for the final ingredient weights in the responses.

Daily meal as % of Body Weight:

Decide and choose the daily meal amount you want to feed your dog as a percentage of the dog’s body weight. Use the chart for guidance and industry best practices.

Treat these percentages as the starting points. Adjust (increase or decrease) the amount of food based on the BCS status and the weight change in the dog. Also, remember to feed the dog in front of you and adjust accordingly.

Meal type and lifestage:

Choose the meal type between BARF and PMR and the lifestage between puppy and adult. The system ingredient weightage will be shown to you based on the meal type and lifestage.

Ingredient weightage:

We show the default system values based on your meal type and your dog’s life stage. You may change the percentages, except for the muscle. All the changes made in the other ingredients are adjusted in the muscle. 

Remember to keep the percentages in the allowed range. Refer to the table below for the allowed range and also for the system default values.

Our recommendation on best practices and adjustments:

Muscle and Seafood:

Muscle is the major source of protein and energy in a dog’s diet. This calculator includes the muscle in RMBs to calculate RMBs weightage. That muscle is not included in the Muscle category. 

It is good practice to include seafood, too. It should be around 10% of the total diet. Small oily fish are a good source of natural omegas in the dog's diet.

Some commonly used muscle sources: Chicken, Quail, Emu, Lamb, GreenTripe, Venison, Duck, Beef and Pork.

Some commonly used seafood sources: Sardine, Oyster, Mackerel, Herring, Wild Salmon, Mussels.

Raw Meaty Bones:

Select the right raw meaty bone from the dropdown. Choose the RMB based on your dog’s likes and dislikes, chew strength, and availability.

Select the RMB amount based on the stool quality.

• Start with 12% of the RMB

• Move to 10%, if stools are chawky at 12%

• Move to 15%, if stools are loose at 12%

Some of the common RMBs, as per their bone percentages.

Liver:

The liver is one of the most nutrient-dense organs and one of the largest (about 5% of body weight). Thats why it gets so much importance and separate mention in biologically appropriate diets like BARF and PMR. It contains high concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as water-soluble B vitamins such as folate, B1, B2, B6, and B12. 

Liver is also rich in minerals such as iron, copper, phosphorus, and selenium. 

For adult dogs, the recommended amount is 5% of the daily diet. For growing puppies, it may be increased to 7% of the daily diet. Too much of the liver should be avoided, as an excess of fat-soluble vitamins can lead to multiple issues.

The nutrient profile of liver differs between birds, such as chickens and ruminants, such as cattle. Feeding a variety over time helps balance the dog’s nutritional needs.

Other secreting organs:

Other secreting organs provide other essential nutrients that muscle meat and bone cannot supply in sufficient quantities. The other secreting organs are the pancreas, kidney, spleen, brain, testicles, and thymus.  

For adult dogs, the recommended amount is 5% of the daily diet; for puppies, it can be increased to 7%.

Many holistic practitioners and nutritionists follow the homoeopathic medicine rule of ‘like cures like’. That said, healthy organ feeding can support specific body systems. For instance, kidneys contain peptides and cofactors beneficial for renal function, while the pancreas supplies enzymes that may support digestive resilience.

Vegetables and Fruits:

Vegetables and fruits provide micro-nutrients that the meat lacks and soluble and insoluble fibre that is important for the dog’s gut health. It also provides important nutrients, such as antioxidants, that are necessary for dogs' healthy, long lives.

Commonly used vegetables include spinach, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms, dark leafy greens, and apiaceous vegetables such as carrots.

Commonly used fruits are strawberries, raspberries, green bananas, and avocado flesh.

Avoid onions, wild mushrooms, grapes, raisins, and cherries.

The recommended daily amount for fruits and vegetables is 5% of the daily diet. Any excess may lead to gastrointestinal issues.

Others:

In diets like BARF and PMR, ‘others’ generally include animal fur, seeds, oils, or herbs. People feeding cooked diets and using these standards for meal formation may also include some grain carbs like brown rice, pasta, porridge etc.

Commonly used fresh food ingredients in this section are: flaxseed, animal fur like rabbit feet with fur, kelp, and soaked chia seeds.