What's the difference between 80/20 and 60/40 raw dog food?

Quick takeaways about 80/20 vs 60/40

• The key difference is the ratio of meat vs fruit, veg and sometimes grain.
• 80/20 can be great for dogs with a grain allergy, as well as older dogs.
• 60/40 can be a gentler way to start on a raw diet and is also good for working dogs.

 

Whether you already feed raw dog food or are thinking about starting, the key thing to look for is a ‘complete and balanced’ food. This means your dog will get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.

You’ll also find that raw dog foods might come with different ratios of ingredients, and they’ll usually contain a balance of raw meat, veg and sometimes healthy grains.

Of course, every dog is different, and finding the ratio that works best for your pooch is important. At Natures Menu we offer two simple complete and balanced ratios: 60/40 and 80/20.

Both work well for dogs, giving them the nutrition they need to stay fit, healthy and happy. Let’s look at the difference between the two.

 

The essential raw ingredients

Both Natures Menu raw dog food ratios are based on the same key ingredients. That’s raw meat and offal – which always makes up the bulk of the recipe – and fruit and veg.

In some recipes, mainly in the 60/40 range, there are also healthy grains like parboiled brown rice, but we’ve also created a whole range of grain-free options.

 

The 80/20 Natures Menu range

One of the best 80/20 dog food options out there, our super-premium 80/20 recipe is made up of 80% raw meat and offal, plus 20% fruit and veg.

It’s packed with lean protein and low in carbohydrates. Allaboutdogfood.co.uk has rated it 91% nutritionally.

If your dog suffers from a grain allergy or intolerance, you might want to stick to this high-meat ratio. It’s also a great choice for older dogs who need high protein and lower carbs.

 

The 60/40 Natures Menu range

Our 60/40 raw dog food options contain 60% raw meat and offal, 40% fruit and/or veg plus a healthy grain. So why choose this ratio over the 80/20?

The 60/40 option can sometimes be a slightly gentler way to introduce raw food into your dog’s diet.

It can also be a good choice for working dogs who need the slow-release energy that comes from the addition of brown rice. Allaboutdogfood.co.uk has rated it 84% nutritionally.

 

But do dogs need carbs?

Carbs aren’t necessarily something dogs need, and they're often seen as a hidden filler. But they can be a staple for busy and active dogs – those non-stop, all-go types.

 

What about fruit and veg, is that important for dogs?

Absolutely. Raw dog food recipes should contain a selection of fruit and/or vegetables to give your dog all the natural nutrients they need.

From apples to broccoli, we carefully select our fruit and veg to provide a diverse vitamin and mineral profile, powerful antioxidants and essential fibre. Plus, it’s delivered fresh to our factory every day.

Research has also shown that a diet rich in antioxidants can help to keep your dog’s brain healthier for longer.

 

What’s the best percentage of meat for dogs?

While there’s no hard and fast rule as it all depends on your dog, we recommend a raw dog food diet with either a 60% or 80% meat content.

A healthy dog food ratio leans heavily on meat, and both of these do exactly that while allowing room for extra nutrients and vitamins from fruit, veg, and sometimes grains.

 

What’s the rough cost difference between 60/40 and 80/20?

You’ll notice the recipes in our 80/20 range of raw food are slightly more expensive than our 60/40 recipes, and that’s because of the higher meat content.

As a rough guide, you can expect to pay £1 to £1.50 more for a kilogram of the 80/20 recipe compared to a similar 60/40 option, but if you’re looking for the best 80/20 dog food out there, our Super Premium range is the way to go.

Interested in why raw is more expensive than kibble? Check out our guide.

 

What is the 80/20 puppy range?

Our complete and balanced, meaty raw 80/20 puppy food has been specially formulated for growing pups, who have different dietary needs from older dogs.

It’s enriched with 20% superfoods and prebiotics to provide all the nutrients they need, with no grains that can weigh down tiny tums.

 

What’s the Ready to Mix freeflow range with 100% meat?

This is a great option if you mix your raw food at home. Each raw meat block is an ingredient, not a meal – so you’ll need to add your own fruit, vegetables and healthy carbohydrates like brown rice.

We also recommend adding a good-quality vitamin and mineral supplement. The Ready to Mix freeflow range is only suitable for experienced raw feeders with dogs older than 12 months.

 

Should raw dog food recipes contain bone?

Bones provide a great source of natural glucosamine and chondroitin, which can be effective in helping to lubricate joints. But if your dog’s poos are dry or they seem to be constipated, bone is best avoided. That’s particularly true if they’re older, have a sensitive digestive system or struggle to squat for long. Puppies can also find bone difficult to digest, so our Natures Menu puppy recipes are completely bone-free.

For older dogs, both our Ready to Mix and Complete & Balanced ranges have options with and without bone. Where it’s included, on average there’s 4% minced bone in our Complete & Balanced recipes, because we’ve found that’s the ideal amount for most dogs.

 

The bottom line: A veterinary nurse’s verdict

Our in-house veterinary nurse, Melanie Sainsbury, says: “Both our 60/40 and 80/20 ranges are fully complete and balanced for all adult dogs and can offer different benefits depending on your dog's specific requirements.

“If you require a no-grain, single protein or chicken-free option, our 80/20 range will certainly suit. For a gentler introduction or for dogs with no specific dietary requirements, our 60/40 range is bound to get tails wagging.

“You could even try mixing the two ranges together to enhance the flavours in their bowl even more.”

   
Try our personalised meal plans with high-quality raw ingredients to help keep your dog healthy and happy.