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Zara's Diet

Writer's picture: Sarah CSarah C

Posted Mar 1. 2022


Disclaimer: Information in this post is based off of a collection of articles that I read from various sources.


I get a lot of questions about Zara's diet. Why is she on it, what are the benefits, how is it?

Usually, we get a majority of questions on our Instagram page, due to how often we post it to our stories and feed. In this post, I'll provide you with a breakdown of her current meal plan. If you want to know about about the raw diet, check out this post: What is the Raw Diet? (2buffbitches.com)


Today's guidance will be from perfectlyrawsome.com. They have a variety of raw diet ratio guidelines which I use for Zara's meal prep. For Zara specifically, I follow the BARF Model Raw for adult dog maintenance. Zara used to follow their model for puppy development, but she's approaching the 1 year mark in April and I will slowly be transitioning to this model.


Perfectly Rawsome BARF Model (for adult maintenance)

  • 70% muscle meat

  • 10% raw edible bone

  • 7% vegetables

  • 5% liver

  • 5% other secreting organ

  • 2% seeds or nuts

  • 1% fruit

So what does that mean? 70% of what? How much am I feeding my dog? To determine how much to feed you dog, start off with your dog's weight. Zara is 42 lbs. Dogs should be eating between 2-4% of their bodyweight each day.


(Dog's weight) x (0.02 to 0.04) = daily food intake


This is how much I feed Zara based on that formula.

42 lbs x 0.02 = 0.84 lbs of food per day

I like to use ounces when I measure her food, so 0.84 lbs = 13.44oz of food per day. Since I feed her twice a day, she requires approx, 6.7oz of food her meal.


Using the 6.7 oz, I use the percentages in the Perfectly Rawsome BARF Model to measure out all my ingredients. For example, of the 6.7 oz of food I give her, 70% of that 6.7oz will be muscle meat, meaning 4.69 oz.


This is an excel spreadsheet I manage for Zara as her weight changes.

Here's the specific ingredients I use for her meals.

  • Muscle Meat: Chicken/Beef Blend (1lb) — 808 Raw Pet Food Raw Dog Food Hawaii I use this specific blend, just because it's something Zara seems to enjoy.

  • Meaty Bones: Chicken Feet (2lb) — 808 Raw Pet Food Raw Dog Food Hawaii Bones are filled with calcium, something your pup needs for bone structure. They're also great for dental health, as the chewing helps to prevent plaque build up and keeping gums healthy. It is highly advised to feed you dog raw vs. cooked bones due to the splintering cooked bones cause.

  • Liver: Chicken & Beef Liver | LAVISH PAWS 808 Rich in nutrients, specifically Vitamin A, which is great for digestion and reproductive organs.

  • Organs: Beef Organ Blend 2lb — 808 Raw Pet Food Raw Dog Food Hawaii Loaded with B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, folic acid, and B12).

  • Veggies & Fruits: I usually try to feed Zara a rainbow of fruits and veggies, just for the essential nutrients and fiber they provide. When feeding your dog fruits and vegetables, make sure they're not considered toxic for dogs ie: grapes, onions, etc. Prepare them in a way that will be easily digestible like puree, finely, chopped, minced, etc.

  • Canine Growth Supplement Powder: Structure Canine Nutrition Supplement – K9 Boost The breeders I got Zara from used this on all their pups. I decided to continue using it for her growth. This powder contains rich digestible protein and fat, as well as, nutrients to help with connective tissue and muscle development. I give her one scoop per meal.

  • Coconut Oil: I use unrefined virgin coconut oil, easy to find at your local grocery store. I just add 1 tsp straight form the jar right into her bowl. Coconut oil is great for the immune system, helps to eliminate bad breath, and also help with skin and coat. Zara gets a lot of compliments on her shiny coat.

  • Bone Broth: BONE BROTH w TURMERIC - CHICKEN 32oz — 808 Raw Pet Food Raw Dog Food Hawaii A great finisher! I top off her meals with 1/4 cup of bone broth. It helps to blend everything together into one delicious nutritious meal. Bone broth is known for helping with digestive issues, unhealthy hair coast, and sore joints.

  • Seeds & Nuts: These are great for fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Zara currently is not consuming any seeds or nuts. I personally do not have Zara consuming seeds or nuts at this time, but will look into it for the future.

The Preparation

I make Zara's meal on a weekly basis. I measure out all the ingredients and put them in tubba wear containers into the freezer. It can get tedious at first, but once you do it more regularly, it's super easy. I actually find joy in knowing that Zara is going to have a yummy meal. She always sits right by my leg and watches me meal prep.


Final Word

I hope this post was insightful! I always get questions about Zara's diet and I can only type so much on Instagram. I'm still learning about the raw diet, keeping up to date with the newest research, and keeping close contact with 808 Raw Pet Food. If you chose to get your dog on the raw diet, that's great! If not, that's okay too, there are plenty of options out there. Zara is my first pup, and I just want to provide her with the best I can, like all dog owners!



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