Why Homemade Dog Food Needs More Than 80/10/10 Ratios to Be Balanced
Why Ratio Diets Fall Short for Homemade Dog Food
Ratio diets like 80/10/10 or 70/10/10/10 have become popular among dog owners feeding raw or home-prepared meals. While these frameworks are simple and intuitive, they don’t reliably meet a dog’s complete nutritional needs. Here’s why ratio-based diets shouldn’t be your roadmap for balanced homemade nutrition.
What Are Ratio Diets?
Ratio feeding assigns fixed ingredient percentages, such as:
80% muscle meat
10% bone
10% organ
Some variations include vegetables or other additions. These ratios are based loosely on the composition of a prey animal and appeal to owners seeking a “natural” approach.
But natural doesn’t always mean nutritionally complete.
The Real Issue: Ratios Don’t Match Nutrient Requirements
Dogs need six essential nutrient categories:
Protein
Fat
Carbohydrates (optional but often beneficial)
Vitamins
Minerals
Water
Ratio diets only measure ingredients by weight or percentage, not by the actual nutrients they contain. Even if a meal hits the correct proportions, it may still be:
Low in zinc, copper, vitamin D, or manganese
High in phosphorus
Missing required calcium
Deficient in multiple essential vitamins and trace minerals
A diet can look “balanced” on paper but be incomplete in reality.
Bioavailability Matters
Not all nutrients are absorbed or used equally by a dog’s body. Liver may provide vitamin A, but that doesn’t mean it provides the right amount, nor does it guarantee the dog can utilize it effectively.
Ratio diets tend to overlook:
Different needs by age, size, breed, or health status
Proper mineral balance (e.g., calcium vs. phosphorus)
Whether nutrients are in bioavailable forms
Total energy and caloric density
It’s not enough to feed the right foods—you have to feed the right nutrients in the right quantities.
The Myth of “Variety Will Balance It Out”
A common belief is that rotating ingredients—chicken one week, beef the next—will balance things over time. Unfortunately:
Nutrient deficits and excesses in ratio diets are often consistent and predictable.
Switching proteins does not fix a calcium deficiency or a chronic phosphorus excess. Nutritional issues can accumulate for months before a dog shows physical signs—and by then, damage may already be done.
Precision Beats Simplicity
A simple model doesn’t equal a complete diet. Balanced feeding requires:
Accurate nutrient analysis
Supplementation where necessary
Awareness of life-stage and size-specific requirements
If you’re putting in the effort to prepare fresh food, it should count. Your dog deserves a diet that fuels long-term health—not one that just checks a box.
A Better Alternative: Formulated Meal Plans
A more reliable approach is to use meal plans created using AAFCO or NRC nutritional guidelines. Professionally formulated diets:
Are tailored to your dog’s individual needs
Provide complete and balanced nutrition
Ensure that every nutrient is present in the correct amount and form
At Mirage & Marrow, we create custom raw and cooked plans designed to meet recognized nutritional standards—so you can feed fresh with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Ratio diets are appealing because they’re simple—but simplicity comes at the cost of completeness. The most secure way to feed your dog at home is through precision, not estimation.
When it comes to your dog’s long-term health, informed formulation always wins.