How to Make a Balanced Raw Dog Food Diet at Home

I was recently invited to speak at the Feed Real Summit, where I also took one of their most practical courses: how to make a balanced raw dog food diet at home.

This approach is based on an ancestral diet, but it also follows NRC raw dog food guidelines. That matters. It means the food is not just raw, but properly balanced for long-term health.

What really stood out to me was how simple they made the process.

They use a calculator that ensures the nutrients in your dog’s food meet all acceptable levels. Protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are all accounted for.

That calculator is available at feedreal.com, and it is one of the easiest feeding tools I have seen.

Using the Feed Real Calculator

I entered Tula’s details into the calculator.

• Age: Over 12 months

• Weight: 22 pounds

• Activity level: Somewhat active

Based on that, the calculator showed that Tula needs just over 14 ounces of food per day.

I selected their recommended feeding model called The Real Ancestral Diet, which uses six core ingredients in specific ratios.

The Six Essential Ingredients of a Balanced Raw Diet

1. Muscle Meat (70%)

Muscle meat makes up the majority of the diet.

It is the primary source of protein and fat and supplies essential amino acids like methionine, taurine, and lysine. It also provides energy, B vitamins, and minerals such as zinc and selenium.

This represents the actual flesh an ancestral dog would eat in the wild.

For this recipe, I used chicken thighs.

2. Raw Edible Bone (About 10%)

Raw edible bone provides calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and collagen.

The calculator ensures the calcium to phosphorus ratio stays within the recommended range of about 1.1 to 1.3 to 1, which is critical for bone health, muscle contraction, and nerve function.

Chicken thighs contain edible bone, which makes them a convenient option.

If your dog does not chew bones well, like Tula, you can grind the bone to ensure proper mineral intake.

3. Small Oily Fish

I used sardines.

These provide omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which help reduce inflammation. They also supply iodine, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Balancing omega-6 fats from meat with omega-3s from fish supports skin health, joints, allergies, arthritis, and long-term wellness.

4. Liver (5%)

Liver is the most nutrient-dense organ.

It is rich in vitamin A, copper, folate, and B vitamins. It is required to meet NRC micronutrient requirements.

The amount is capped at 5 percent to avoid excess vitamin A, but it must be included to prevent deficiency.

5. Another Secreting Organ (5%)

This can be kidney or spleen.

I used beef kidney, which provides nutrients not found in muscle meat or liver, including vitamin D, vitamin K, B vitamins, and trace minerals.

6. Fiber From Low Glycemic Vegetables

I chose green beans.

Fiber supports healthy digestion, helps stools move normally, and feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Even wild dogs consume plant material through stomach contents of prey.

This helps complete the nutrient profile of a whole prey diet.

Putting the Diet Together

Using the calculator, this was Tula’s daily recipe:

• Chicken thighs with bone: about 8 ounces

• Chicken hearts (additional muscle meat): about 2 ounces

• Sardines: about 1.5 ounces

• Beef liver: about 0.6 ounces

• Beef kidney: about 0.6 ounces

• Green beans: about 0.6 ounces

That totals just over 14 ounces, which is her full daily requirement.

Chicken hearts are a great addition. They are affordable, rich in taurine, and high in CoQ10, which supports mitochondrial and heart health.

Practical Tips for Success

• Always weigh ingredients using a kitchen scale

• Clean surfaces well and practice safe food handling

• Grind bones if your dog avoids chewing them

• You can batch prepare meals and freeze them

• Organ meats can be harder to find. Local co-ops and butchers are often the best source

One helpful option is using organ toppers like ground spleen and liver, which can be rehydrated and mixed in easily.

Chicken gizzards are another cost-effective protein source and were commonly used during the course.

Why Balance Matters

This approach ensures your dog receives:

• Proper calcium and phosphorus ratios

• Adequate amino acids

• Balanced omega-6 to omega-3 fats

• Required vitamins and minerals

Many homemade raw diets fail because they lack balance. This calculator removes the guesswork.

If making food from scratch feels overwhelming, companies like The Real Dog Box offer balanced raw options and organ toppers that simplify the process.

Final Thoughts

Making a balanced raw dog food diet at home does not have to be complicated.

With the right calculator and proper measurements, you can feed a diet that meets NRC standards and supports long-term health.

If you are interested in trying it, I encourage you to explore the Feed Real calculator and see how straightforward it can be.

Thanks so much for reading this edition of Veterinary Secrets on how to make a balanced raw dog food diet at home.

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