Ratio diets are really just a variation of either PMR or BARF. The ratios vary depending on the nutrition philosophy of that person.
80/10/10 (80% meat, 10% organs, 10% bone)
70/10/10/10 (70% meat, 10% organs, 10% bone, 10% veg/fruit/other)
65/15/10/5/5 (65% muscle meat, 15% organ muscle, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% secreting organ).
75/10/5/5/5 (75% meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% secreting, 5% other).
This food philosophy is often how non “AAFCO Complete and Balanced” raw food brands will prepare their grinds.
Essentially, the idea is that the ratio diet is meant to replicate the percentage or ratio of muscle meat, organs and bone found in a prey species that a wild dog or cat would be likely to catch and eat.
A starting guideline, not set in stone
Critics of ratio diets will claim they are unbalanced.
Experienced ratio feeders now that this “ratio” is really just a starting guideline and adjustments are made as to the cuts of meat fed while paying attention to mineral and vitamin balances.
If you’re buying a premade grind that is made using a ratio diet you can add:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Oysters
- Mussels
- Vegetables (for the dogs that can tolerate it)
- Fur
