How many calories are in raw meat for dogs and cats?

It depends on the cut and fat content. Lean raw chicken breast is roughly 120 kcal per 100 g, raw beef around 180 kcal, raw salmon about 200 kcal, and organ meats like liver around 120–135 kcal per 100 g.

What is the 80/10/10 raw diet rule?

A common prey-model raw guideline of 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, and 10% organ (with half of that being liver). It is a starting framework, not a guarantee of complete nutrition — a vet or pet nutritionist should confirm balance.

How much raw food should I feed my pet?

Feed to your pet's daily calorie needs (use our dog or cat food calculator for the target), typically around 2–3% of adult body weight per day, adjusted by age, activity, and body condition.

Raw Food Calorie Calculator

Convert grams of raw meat, organ, and fish into calories — and plan a balanced raw diet.

Raw food

Weight

Your pet's daily calorie target — optional, from our food calculator

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Calories in common raw foods (per 100 g)

Raw food	≈ kcal / 100 g	Role

Values are approximate averages — actual calories vary with fat content, cut, and source.

Balancing a raw diet: the 80/10/10 starting point

A widely used prey-model framework for dogs is:

80% muscle meat — chicken, beef, turkey, etc. (the bulk of the diet and protein)
10% raw edible bone — for calcium and phosphorus (e.g., chicken necks/wings, fed safely and raw — never cooked)
10% organ — of which half is liver; the rest is "secreting" organs like kidney or spleen

Cats are obligate carnivores and have stricter needs — they require enough taurine (abundant in heart and dark meat), more animal protein, and very little plant matter. A cat-specific balance and supplements are often needed.

⚠️ 80/10/10 is a starting framework, not a guarantee of complete and balanced nutrition. Homemade and raw diets can easily become deficient (calcium, taurine, vitamins, omega-3s) or carry a risk of bacteria and bone injury. Work with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before switching, especially for kittens, puppies, pregnant pets, or pets with health conditions.

How much to feed

Feed to your pet's daily calorie target, not a fixed gram amount. Most adult dogs and cats eat roughly 2–3% of their ideal body weight in food per day, but calorie needs vary with age, activity, and metabolism. Get a personalized number from our dog food calculator or cat food calculator, then enter it above to see how many grams of a food meet that target.

Frequently asked questions

Is raw feeding safe?

It can be done well, but it carries real risks — bacterial contamination (Salmonella, E. coli), nutritional imbalance, and bone-related injuries. Source carefully, handle hygienically, and get professional guidance on balance.

Can I feed cooked bones instead?

Never. Cooked bones splinter and can cause choking or internal injury. Only raw, appropriately sized edible bones are used in raw diets, and even then with care.

Do I need supplements?

Often yes — especially omega-3s (fish oil), and for cats, taurine if the diet is low in heart/dark meat. Your vet or nutritionist can advise based on the recipe.