Raw Feeding Terms Explained: Complete, Complementary, 80:10:10, BARF & PMR

If you’re new to raw feeding, you’ve probably come across a lot of unfamiliar terms.

Complete, complementary, 80:10:10, BARF, PMR, DIY… it can feel confusing at first, especially when different people use different terms to describe how they feed their dogs.

Understanding what these terms mean is an important first step in choosing a diet that works for your dog.

What Is a Complete Raw Food?

A complete raw food is a commercially prepared diet that has been formulated to provide all the nutrients a healthy dog needs when fed as directed.

This means the recipe has been carefully balanced to include the correct levels of essential nutrients, such as:

• Protein

• Fats

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Essential nutrients required for daily health

A complete raw food is designed to be fed as your dog’s main diet without needing additional ingredients or supplements to make it balanced.

For many owners, especially those new to raw feeding, complete raw food provides a simple and convenient way to feed a fresh diet while avoiding the complexity of balancing meals themselves.

What Is a Complementary Raw Food?

A complementary raw food is designed to be fed alongside other foods rather than as a complete diet on its own.

Complementary products can still be an important part of raw feeding and provide valuable nutrients, enrichment and variety.

Examples include:

• 80:10:10 minces

• Single-protein minces

• Raw meaty bones

• Organ meats

• Fish

• Natural treats

These products are not usually intended to make up the entire diet unless they are carefully combined with other ingredients to provide the full range of nutrients your dog requires.

Always check the label to see whether a product is described as Complete Pet Food or Complementary Pet Food.

What Is 80:10:10 Raw Feeding?

The 80:10:10 model is one of the most recognised approaches within raw feeding.

It refers to a ratio made up of approximately:

• 80% muscle meat

• 10% edible bone

• 10% organ meat (often around 5% liver and 5% other secreting organs)

This approach is based on the approximate proportions found in whole prey.

Many raw feeders use 80:10:10 products as part of a varied feeding plan. However, an 80:10:10 ratio does not automatically mean a diet is complete.

While meat, bone and organs provide many important nutrients, they may not provide every vitamin, mineral and essential nutrient a dog requires in the correct amounts for long-term feeding.

This is why many 80:10:10 products are labelled as complementary foods.

What Is BARF?

BARF is another commonly used term in raw feeding.

It originally stood for Bones and Raw Food, although many people now use it to mean Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

BARF-style diets often include:

• Meat

• Bone

• Organ meat

• Fruit and vegetables

• Seeds

• Herbs

• Other functional ingredients

There is no single BARF recipe. Different owners and manufacturers may formulate BARF diets in different ways.

The important factor is ensuring the overall diet provides the nutrients your dog needs.

What Is PMR?

PMR stands for Prey Model Raw.

The aim of PMR is to replicate the proportions of a natural prey animal by feeding:

• Muscle meat

• Edible bone

• Organs

Unlike many BARF-style diets, PMR generally does not include fruit, vegetables or supplements unless they are specifically added as part of an individual feeding plan.

Some owners prefer PMR because they feel it follows a more natural prey-based approach, while others prefer commercially prepared complete raw foods for simplicity and nutritional reassurance.

What Is DIY Raw Feeding?

DIY raw feeding means creating your dog's diet yourself rather than feeding a commercially prepared raw food.

This can involve sourcing and balancing ingredients such as:

• Meat

• Bone

• Organs

• Fish

• Eggs

• Vegetables

• Supplements

DIY feeding can work well when carefully planned, but it requires a good understanding of canine nutrition to ensure all nutritional requirements are met.

Extra care should be taken when feeding:

• Puppies

• Pregnant or nursing dogs

• Dogs with health conditions

• Dogs with specific nutritional needs

Do Dogs Need Fruit and Vegetables?

This is one of the most debated topics in raw feeding.

Some complete raw foods contain fruit, vegetables and botanicals, while others do not.

Different manufacturers formulate their recipes in different ways to provide balanced nutrition.

Dogs are able to digest and utilise nutrients from appropriately prepared plant ingredients, but there is no single recipe that suits every dog.

The most important question is not whether a food contains vegetables — it is whether the overall diet is nutritionally complete and appropriate for your individual dog.

Does Variety Matter?

Many raw feeders choose to offer variety by rotating different proteins and recipes over time.

Variety can provide different ingredients and help prevent dogs becoming reliant on a single protein or texture source.

However, variety does not need to happen immediately.

For dogs new to raw feeding, starting with one suitable food and gradually introducing additional proteins once they are settled is often the simplest approach.

Which Raw Feeding Approach Is Right for My Dog?

There is no single approach that works for every owner or every dog.

Some owners prefer the convenience and reassurance of a complete commercial raw food, while others enjoy creating their own balanced DIY diet.

The most important thing is ensuring your dog receives a nutritionally appropriate diet that suits their individual needs.

We're Here to Help

With so many different raw feeding terms and approaches, choosing the right option can feel overwhelming.

At Naturally Raw, we stock a range of reputable raw food brands and are happy to help explain the differences between complete foods, complementary products and different feeding styles.

Whether you’re completely new to raw feeding or looking to explore different options, we’re here to help you make an informed choice for your dog.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. Dogs with medical conditions, puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, or those requiring specialised diets may have different nutritional requirements. Always seek appropriate professional advice before making significant dietary changes.