Whole-Prey vs Raw Diets for Dogs: Understanding the 80/10/10 Rule and What “Whole Prey” Really Means

🥩 Introduction: The “Natural” Diet Debate

Across social media and the raw feeding community, terms like “whole prey,” “prey model,” and “BARF” are everywhere. But what do they really mean?

While both whole-prey feeding and raw diets aim to mirror what dogs might eat in the wild, there are important differences in balance, sourcing, and nutrient content — and even more confusion when kibble brands borrow the term “whole-prey” for marketing.

Let’s break down what these diets actually involve, how the 80/10/10 ratio fits in, where nutrient differences arise, and what science (and experience) show about the health impact of feeding fresh, whole foods.

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🐺 1. What Is a Whole-Prey Diet?

A whole-prey diet means feeding an entire animal — fur, feathers, organs, bones, and all — often in the form of small prey like rabbits, quail, rats, or fish.

This diet aims to replicate what a wild canine would consume naturally, offering:

Muscle meat (protein and fat)

Organs (vitamins and minerals)

Edible bones (calcium and phosphorus)

Connective tissue, fur, and skin (fiber, manganese, and natural dental abrasion)

Feeding truly whole animals provides nutrients in their natural ratios and bioavailable forms — though sourcing and handling them can be challenging or expensive.

📖 Reference: Freeman et al., JAVMA 2020

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🥩 2. What Is a Raw Diet (and What 80/10/10 Means)?

Raw diets (also called RMBDs — Raw Meat-Based Diets) can mean many things: homemade mixes, commercially prepared frozen patties, or prey-model recipes.

The most common version is the 80/10/10 formula:

80% muscle meat

10% raw edible bone

10% organs (usually half liver, half other secreting organs)

This model is designed to approximate the nutrient ratios of a whole prey animal. However, it doesn’t automatically ensure every vitamin and mineral target is met. The nutrient content of liver, bone, and meat varies by species, diet, and fat content.

📖 References:

Morelli et al., 2019, Vet Record Open

WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit – Raw Meat Diets

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⚖️ 3. Nutritional Differences Between Whole Prey and Raw Diets

Nutrient Area Whole-Prey Diet 80/10/10 Raw Diet Notes

Protein & Fat Naturally balanced based on prey species Controlled by meat selection Wild prey tends to be leaner; modern meats often fattier

Calcium & Phosphorus Provided via whole bones Adjusted using bone meal or raw bone Poor bone ratio can cause imbalance

Vitamins (A, D, E) Naturally present in liver and fat May need supplementing Levels vary widely by species

Trace Minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn, I) Found in organs, fur, connective tissue Often low unless variety added Many DIY diets lack trace minerals

Fiber & Manganese Provided via fur, feathers, and skin Often missing Can aid digestion and joint health

Studies show that even well-intentioned home raw diets often miss key micronutrients like iodine, vitamin D, or zinc — highlighting the importance of either using varied ingredients or professional formulation.

📖 Source: Pedrinelli et al., BMC Vet Research 2023

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🧬 4. Vitamins and Minerals: How They Differ

Whole prey provides nutrients in complex, synergistic forms. For example:

Liver supplies vitamin A, copper, and B vitamins.

Bone marrow provides iron, zinc, and fat-soluble vitamins.

Brain and eyes add DHA, EPA, and vitamin D.

Skin and fur contribute manganese and natural fiber.

Raw feeders using the 80/10/10 ratio may miss these micronutrients unless they incorporate a wide variety of proteins (e.g., duck, rabbit, beef, fish) or use balanced commercial raw formulas that include a vitamin/mineral premix.

📖 Read more: Freeman et al., JAVMA 2013 – Nutritional Adequacy of Home-Prepared Diets

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🧫 5. Safety and Foodborne Risk

Raw and whole-prey diets carry bacterial risks — for both dogs and people.

Common bacteria include Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter. While most healthy dogs tolerate small exposures, people (especially children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals) can become seriously ill from handling raw food.

Commercial raw products are sometimes recalled for contamination — a reminder to handle and store them carefully.

📖 See: FDA Pet Food Recalls Database

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🦴 6. Why Kibble Brands Say “Whole Prey” — and What It Actually Means

Walk down the pet food aisle and you’ll see claims like “WholePrey Ratio” or “Whole Animal Nutrition.”

In reality, kibble labeled “whole prey” does not contain entire animals. Instead, it means:

Multiple animal ingredients (muscle, organ, bone meal)

Added minerals or amino acids to mimic the nutrient profile of a prey animal

Marketing language to convey “ancestral nutrition”

Brands like Orijen and Acana use this term to describe a formulation philosophy — not literal whole-prey feeding.

📖 Source: Orijen – What WholePrey Means

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❤️ 7. Do Whole-Prey and Raw Diets Really Improve Health?

Yes — many dogs do show measurable and visible improvements when switched from processed kibble to whole or raw diets.

While long-term controlled clinical studies are limited, existing research and veterinary observations report:

Improved coat and skin quality

Healthier stool consistency

Better muscle tone and lean mass

Reduced inflammatory markers in bloodwork

Lower incidence of food sensitivities

Enhanced digestibility and gut microbiome diversity

Fresh, minimally processed foods retain natural enzymes, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that are destroyed in ultra-processed kibbles. These factors may contribute to improved vitality, energy, and long-term wellness.

📖 Supporting research:

Sandri et al., 2016, J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr — Gut microbiome differences between raw and kibble-fed dogs

Davies et al., 2021, Vet Record — Nutrient digestibility and stool quality in raw-fed dogs

Rowe et al., 2020, Animals — Fresh diets and reduced inflammation in dogs

In short: fresh, species-appropriate foods can support better health outcomes than ultra-processed kibble — but safety, balance, and hygiene are key.

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🧮 8. Balancing Raw and Whole-Prey Feeding

If you’re feeding raw or prey-model diets:

1. Rotate proteins (beef, duck, rabbit, fish, turkey, etc.)

2. Include multiple organ types — not just liver

3. Add trace nutrient sources: kelp (iodine), oysters (zinc), sardines (omega-3s)

4. Use a supplement blend or consult a veterinary nutritionist

5. Practice strict hygiene and avoid feeding raw in immunocompromised households

For a balanced raw plan, tools like BalanceIT or professional raw diet formulators can help ensure AAFCO or NRC standards are met.

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📊 9. Summary Table: Pros and Cons

Type Pros Cons

Whole-Prey Diet Closest to natural feeding; complete tissue profile; excellent bioavailability Hard to source; may carry pathogens; not always nutritionally balanced long-term

Raw 80/10/10 Diet Customizable; supports digestive health; high protein May lack micronutrients; needs variety; hygiene essential

Commercial Raw (Balanced) Convenient; tested; can meet AAFCO More expensive; still raw contamination risk

“Whole-Prey” Kibble Shelf-stable; includes organ and bone meal Highly processed; nutrients from synthetic sources; marketing term

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📚 References and Further Reading

World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) – Global Nutrition Toolkit

American Veterinary Medical Association – Raw Diets Policy

FDA – Raw Pet Food Recalls and Warnings

Orijen WholePrey Explanation

Sandri et al., 2016 — Gut microbiome in raw-fed dogs

Morelli et al., 2019 — Nutrient balance of RMBDs

Pedrinelli et al., 2023 — Nutritional analysis of homemade raw diets

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🐾 Final Thoughts

Whole-prey and raw diets can be incredibly nourishing when done right — but they’re not foolproof.

A balanced approach that combines fresh, whole foods, careful variety, and scientific formulation gives your dog the best of both worlds: ancestral nutrition and modern safety.

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