Raw Dog Food Guide UK: 80/10/10 vs 80/20 Explained

Raw feeding has become increasingly popular with UK dog owners looking for a natural, high-meat alternative to conventional dog food. However, choosing between 80/10/10 raw dog food and 80/20 raw dog food can sometimes be confusing.

Although the numbers may look similar, the ingredients and nutritional balance can be quite different. Understanding these differences can help you make a more informed decision about your dog’s diet.

At Woofingtons, we help customers across Leigh, Hindley, Pemberton and the wider Wigan area choose suitable raw dog food every day. This straightforward UK raw-feeding guide explains the main differences, the importance of variety and what to consider when building a balanced raw diet.

What Is an 80/10/10 Raw Diet?

An 80/10/10 raw diet is one of the most widely recognised raw-feeding approaches. It typically contains:

• 80% muscle meat
• 10% bone
• 10% offal

The offal portion is usually divided into:

• 5% liver
• 5% another secreting organ, such as kidney, spleen or pancreas

This combination provides a strong natural foundation for raw feeding. However, it is important to understand that 80/10/10 raw dog food should not automatically be described as a complete diet.

For an 80/10/10 diet to provide suitable long-term nutrition, owners must also consider protein variety, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and the overall nutritional balance of everything being fed.

What Is an 80/20 Raw Diet?

An 80/20 raw diet generally consists of approximately 80% meat, bone and offal, with the remaining 20% made up of:

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Sometimes added supplements

Some 80/20 raw dog foods are formulated and marketed as complete meals. However, adding fruit and vegetables alone does not automatically make a raw food nutritionally complete.

Always check the individual product information to see whether a particular recipe is described by its manufacturer as complete or complementary.

What Is the Difference Between 80/10/10 and 80/20 Raw Dog Food?

The main difference is the inclusion of fruit, vegetables and, in some recipes, additional supplements.

An 80/10/10 diet focuses on muscle meat, bone and offal. An 80/20 meal includes a similar meat-based foundation alongside a proportion of fruit, vegetables or other carefully selected ingredients.

Neither ratio should be considered in isolation. The quality of the ingredients, the range of proteins and the wider nutritional balance are just as important as the numbers printed on the packaging.

Is 80/10/10 Raw Dog Food Complete?

An 80/10/10 raw diet can work very well when it is fed properly, but it is not automatically nutritionally complete simply because it follows the 80/10/10 ratio.

A properly planned raw diet needs to consider:

• A wide variety of protein sources
• A suitable mixture of offal
• Oily fish and natural omega sources
• The correct balance of fats
• Essential vitamins and minerals
• The dog’s individual nutritional requirements

Feeding only one or two proteins, such as chicken or beef, over a long period may leave gaps in the dog’s nutrition.

Protein variety is therefore an important part of responsible raw feeding.

Why Protein Variety Matters in a Raw Diet

Different meats provide different combinations of amino acids, fats, vitamins and minerals. Relying on a single protein does not provide the same nutritional variety as rotating between several suitable sources.

A varied raw-feeding plan may include proteins such as:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Duck
• Lamb
• Pork
• Turkey
• Rabbit
• Venison
• Oily fish

This does not mean changing food constantly or introducing several new proteins at once. New foods should be introduced gradually, particularly for dogs with sensitive digestion.

The aim is to provide nutritional variety over time rather than relying on only one or two meats indefinitely.

Why Calcium and Phosphorus Ratios Matter

One of the most important factors in raw feeding is the balance between calcium and phosphorus.

Bone is included within an 80/10/10 diet as a natural calcium source. If the food already contains the correct proportion of bone, adding additional calcium without a clear nutritional reason could disturb this balance.

Additional calcium sources may include:

• Eggshell powder
• Bone meal
• Large quantities of sprats or other bony fish
• Separate calcium supplements

Too much calcium can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients, reduce zinc availability and potentially contribute to longer-term health problems.

Avoid adding supplements or extra ingredients at random. Each addition should have a clear nutritional purpose and be considered as part of the dog’s complete diet.

Possible Signs of Nutritional Imbalance

A poorly balanced diet, including inadequate levels of zinc, may contribute to symptoms that owners sometimes mistake for food allergies.

Possible signs can include:

• Itchy or irritated skin
• Redness
• Poor coat condition
• Excessive shedding
• Recurring ear problems
• Repeated skin issues

Zinc plays an important role in skin condition and normal immune function. However, these symptoms can have many different causes and should not automatically be blamed on food.

If your dog develops persistent or recurring symptoms, always speak to your vet.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Balance in Raw Feeding

The balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is another frequently overlooked part of raw feeding.

Omega-6 fats are not harmful, but they need to be balanced with suitable omega-3 sources. Proteins such as the following are naturally higher in omega-6:

• Chicken
• Duck
• Pork

Feeding these proteins frequently without providing an appropriate omega-3 source, such as oily fish, may create an imbalance and potentially contribute to inflammation.

Possible signs associated with an unsuitable fatty-acid balance can include:

• Itchy skin
• Redness
• Excessive shedding
• Recurring ear infections

These problems are often assumed to be allergies, but the dog’s overall diet and fatty-acid balance should also be considered.

Ingredient Quality Is Just as Important as Ratios

Raw feeding is not simply about achieving a particular percentage on paper. Ingredient quality, protein variety and the purpose of each ingredient all matter.

A raw diet should not rely on:

• Only one protein source
• Poor-quality ingredients
• An insufficient variety of offal
• Random additions without a nutritional purpose
• Unnecessary supplements that duplicate nutrients already present

When adding fruit, vegetables, fish or supplements, consider what nutrients they provide and how they contribute to the dog’s overall diet.

A balanced raw-feeding plan should be intentional rather than based on guesswork.

Can Supplements Help Balance an 80/10/10 Diet?

For some dog owners, using a carefully selected supplement can be one of the simplest ways to help fill potential nutritional gaps in an 80/10/10 diet.

Options include:

• Naked Dog – The Answer, designed for 80/10/10 diets
• AniForte BARF Complete
• Smart BARF
• Keeper Mix

Depending on the individual product and the rest of the dog’s diet, these supplements may help support:

• Vitamin and mineral balance
• Suitable omega levels
• General long-term nutrition

Not every dog needs the same supplement. The right choice will depend on the food being fed, the proteins included and the individual dog’s requirements.

Raw Dog Food in Wigan, Leigh, Hindley and Pemberton

Woofingtons stocks a wide selection of raw dog food for customers throughout Wigan and Leigh, including:

• 80/10/10 raw meals
• Complete and complementary 80/20 recipes
• Single-protein raw food
• Raw bones
• Natural dog treats
• Raw-feeding supplements

Our team can help you understand individual product labels, compare different raw-food ranges and find suitable options for your dog.

Woofingtons Leigh

Unit E1–E2, Leigh Trading Estate
Butts Street
Leigh
WN7 3EQ

Woofingtons Hindley

28 Bridge Street
Hindley, Wigan
WN2 3LQ

Woofingtons Pemberton

765–767 Ormskirk Road
Pemberton, Wigan
WN5 8AT

You can also use our Woofingtons store finder for opening hours and contact information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Dog Food

Is 80/10/10 raw dog food complete?

No. An 80/10/10 ratio provides a useful foundation of muscle meat, bone and offal, but it is not automatically a complete diet. Protein variety, omega fats, vitamins and minerals must also be considered.

What does 80/10/10 mean in raw dog food?

It normally means 80% muscle meat, 10% bone and 10% offal. The offal portion is usually divided into 5% liver and 5% another secreting organ, such as kidney, spleen or pancreas.

What is the difference between 80/10/10 and 80/20 raw food?

An 80/10/10 recipe focuses on muscle meat, bone and offal. An 80/20 recipe generally combines meat, bone and offal with approximately 20% fruit, vegetables and sometimes supplements.

Can I feed my dog only one type of raw meat?

Relying on only one or two proteins over a long period may leave nutritional gaps. Feeding a suitable variety of proteins helps provide a broader range of nutrients.

Should I add extra calcium to raw dog food?

If the food already contains bone, extra calcium may not be necessary and could disturb the calcium-to-phosphorus balance. Avoid adding eggshell powder, bone meal or other calcium sources without first considering the complete diet.

Does every raw-fed dog need a supplement?

Not necessarily. It depends on the food, the variety being fed and the individual dog’s requirements. Supplements can help fill nutritional gaps, particularly when feeding an 80/10/10-style diet, but they should be chosen carefully.

Where can I buy raw dog food near Wigan and Leigh?

Woofingtons stocks raw dog food at its stores in Leigh, Hindley and Pemberton. Our Leigh flagship store carries our largest raw-food range, and selected frozen products are also available through our website.

How Much raw dog food should I be feeding my Dog?

Adult dogs: Feed approximately 2%–3% of your dog’s ideal adult body weight per day.

Senior dogs: Feed approximately 2% of your dog’s ideal adult body weight per day.

Puppies using expected adult weight: Feed approximately 2.5% of your puppy’s expected adult body weight per day.

Puppies using current weight: Feed approximately 7.5% of your puppy’s current body weight per day.

You can also use our interactive Raw dog Food Calculator Here

Final Thoughts

Raw feeding can be a positive choice for many dogs, but a balanced raw diet involves more than simply following an 80/10/10 or 80/20 ratio.

Protein variety, offal, fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins and minerals all contribute to the dog’s overall nutrition. Avoid relying on only one or two proteins or adding supplements without understanding how they affect the complete diet.

If you are unsure which raw dog food to choose, visit your nearest Woofingtons store and speak to our knowledgeable team.

This guide provides general information and is not a replacement for veterinary or qualified canine nutritional advice.