Hello have been raw (BARF) for over a year. Have done mases of research. Joined Brit-Barf etc. Just reading some posts and the % levels seem a bit different to mine. I try to give upto not over 15% bone, upto 15% mixed liquidized vedgtables, 30% offal mainly in the form of tripe and heart as liver gives them the runs and 40% muscle meat. I stick ridgitly to keep the bone and veg levels correct but the offal muscle % can slightly differ depending what I can get at the time.The only other things I give them is small spoon of olive oil and herbs I mix myself.I Like to vary the protein sources daily to. Do you think it matters much about the % levels.

Hi Geordie

I have been feeding a raw diet for about 4 years now so although nowhere near an expert I do have a little experience. I feed between 10-15% raw meaty bones - includes minced meat of various varieties - and feed no vegetables at all apart from the odd whole carrot that my dogs like to have now and again but these aren't included in the percentage ratios.

In a raw diet heart does not count as offal but is a muscle meat - liver, kidneys etc is counted as offal and I feed up to 10% offal give or take a bit.  The rest of their diet is made up from meat from various species and whole eggs with the shell on once or twice a week and either fresh fish or tinned oily fish. I aim to have the balance right over the course of 3-4 weeks which suits my dogs. I do not feed any supplements at all and never have. Occasionally I will add a small amount of garlic as some believe that this is one way at keeping fleas at bay - neither of my dogs have had fleas so far so perhaps it works

Hi, I have been told to relax over amounts and %'s and to be honest I found it quite hard to do initially but I have now.  If you know what is required to feed a raw and natural diet then the quote that was given to me could help 'since when did you ever see a wild dog use any scales?' I do believe that we should always try to ensure that we feed a well varied diet but personally I dont do %'s. The fact that your dog/s are lucky enough to have a natural diet, you have taken the time to research the diet and have help at hand with the forums should be enough.  I found that there were so many people had different opinions on how much and they all seem to do so well made me relax over it.

i have never measured or weighed out any of my food i feed by dogs , i think as long as you give them variaty that is the main thing

i also use supplements too incase they are missing anything

Ive recently gone onto a natural diet as before hand we could never afford it with my huge dogs. However we have now found a butcher that gives us all his off bits. He has to pay £25 for a dustbin to get rid of it. So i get all the off bits,whether it bone,fat,legs and yes even had a whole pigs head with eyes(didnt go there and gave it away,i was squeamish) all for FREE. I so love that word.

Anyway there poo has greatly reduced,doesnt smell and is white hard pellets.

They also get leftovers from us which they have to share with the Chickens. Tonight they had leftover stew. I will buy a broad spectrum supplement just to make sure they get everything they need but so far (touch wood) they happy. I also found i didnt have to feed as much which was quite shocking really compared to the dried food they were getting.