BARF Raw Diet Calculator
Build a balanced raw food (BARF) diet for your dog or cat.
The BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) feeds dogs and cats raw meat, bones, organs and a small amount of vegetables — mimicking the prey diet of their wild ancestors. Getting the ratios wrong is risky, especially for organ meats. This calculator gives the exact daily grams of muscle meat, raw meaty bone, liver, other organs and vegetables based on your pet's weight and life stage.
How this calculator works
The BARF model feeds 2.5% of body weight per day for adult dogs (more for puppies and active dogs). That total breaks down into:
- 70% muscle meat (chicken thigh, beef, lamb)
- 10% raw meaty bone (chicken wings, necks)
- 5% liver
- 5% other secreting organs (kidney, spleen)
- 10% vegetables and a little fruit
Cats need a higher proportion of meat and bone (no vegetables) and obligate taurine — consult a feline nutritionist before starting raw with cats.
Frequently asked questions
Is BARF safe?
When balanced, BARF can work well for healthy adult dogs. Risks include bacterial contamination (handle like raw meat for humans), bone choking, and nutrient gaps if ratios are wrong. Pregnant women, immunocompromised people and very young children should not handle raw pet food.
Can I feed cooked bones?
No. Cooked bones splinter and can cause life-threatening gut perforations. Only ever feed RAW meaty bones, and supervise.
Do I need supplements on BARF?
A well-balanced BARF diet usually doesn't need supplements, but oily fish (or omega-3 oil) once a week is recommended for skin and coat. Some vets also suggest a vitamin E supplement.
Raw-feeding accessories
