Raw Dog Food Calculator
Calculate daily BARF / raw diet portions for your dog. Returns total ounces and grams with a complete breakdown: muscle meat, bones, organs, liver, and extras.
For puppies, use expected adult weight.
Total daily raw food
12 oz(340 g)
BARF breakdown
What is the BARF diet?
BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (or Bones and Raw Food), developed by veterinarian Ian Billinghurst in the 1990s. The core premise is that dogs thrive on a diet mirroring what their ancestors ate: raw meaty bones, organ meat, muscle meat, and small amounts of plant matter. The standard breakdown is 70% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bones, 10% organ meat (half of which should be liver), and 10% other (vegetables, eggs, supplements). This ratio aims to approximate the nutritional profile of whole prey.
BARF vs. pre-made raw vs. cooked fresh food
Homemade BARF gives the most control but requires careful sourcing and supplementation — a common pitfall is calcium deficiency if raw meaty bones aren't included. Pre-made raw patties are more convenient and usually nutritionally balanced, but significantly more expensive. Lightly cooked fresh food (companies like Farmer's Dog, Ollie) sits between: whole-ingredient diets with lower pathogen risk than raw, though cooking destroys some heat-sensitive nutrients. All three are superior in protein quality to many kibbles.
Safety considerations for raw feeding
Raw meat carries bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli — not just for your dog but for household members through contaminated bowls, surfaces, and dog saliva. Immunocompromised people, young children, and elderly family members face elevated risk. Freeze raw meat for at least 2 weeks before feeding to reduce parasite risk. Never feed cooked bones — they splinter dangerously. Raw meaty bones (chicken backs, turkey necks, beef ribs) are safe and serve as natural tooth cleaners.
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