Raw Food Diet for Dogs: The Complete Guide to PMR and BARF Feeding

Raw feeding has seen a significant rise in popularity among dog owners who want to move away from heavily processed kibble and provide their dogs with a more natural, species-appropriate diet. In this guide, we explore two of the most recommended raw food diets - PMR (Prey Model Raw) and BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) - covering what each involves, their key differences, and the latest scientific research supporting raw feeding for dogs.

What Is a Raw Food Diet for Dogs?

A raw food diet for dogs is exactly what it sounds like: feeding your dog unprocessed, whole, raw ingredients rather than commercially extruded or heat-treated pet food. Both PMR and BARF fall under the raw feeding umbrella, but each takes a slightly different approach to what those raw ingredients should include.

The PMR Diet (Prey Model Raw)

The PMR diet is designed to replicate what dogs would have eaten in the wild, closely modelling the nutritional profile of whole prey animals. It follows the 80/10/10 rule: 80% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bones, and 10% organs (with at least half of that being liver).

The philosophy is straightforward: feed dogs as nature intended, without synthetic supplements or plant matter. Despite thousands of years of domestication, dogs are descended from wolves and share the same digestive biology - systems designed to process whole, raw animal foods.

A typical PMR meal might include chicken thighs with bone, beef liver, and kidney. The key to nutritional completeness is protein rotation - cycling through beef, pork, lamb, fish, and poultry over time.

New Zealand raw feeders are particularly well-served here, with suppliers offering rabbit, hare, turkey, duck, possum, wallaby, venison, and goat. Rotating proteins prevents dietary imbalances and reduces the risk of developing food allergies from overexposure to a single protein source.

👉 For more detail, see the full PMR guide at Perfectly Rawsome

The BARF Diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)

Developed by veterinarian Dr Ian Billinghurst, the BARF diet takes a broader approach to raw feeding. While still centred on raw animal products, BARF also incorporates vegetables, fruits, supplements, and sometimes dairy - such as yoghurt and raw goat's milk.

A typical BARF breakdown is approximately 70% raw meat and bones, with the remaining 30% made up of vegetables, fruit, and supplements. The underlying philosophy recognises dogs as omnivores rather than strict carnivores, capable of drawing additional nutrients from plant-based sources.

Because BARF requires careful preparation of vegetable mixes and attention to supplementation, it involves more planning than PMR - but many owners find the variety rewarding for both themselves and their dogs.

👉 For more detail, see the full BARF guide at Perfectly Rawsome

PMR vs BARF: Key Differences at a Glance

The core difference lies in how each diet interprets canine nutrition. PMR treats dogs as obligate carnivores whose needs are entirely met by animal protein. BARF acknowledges dogs' omnivorous adaptability and includes plant matter as a nutritional complement.

 Benefits of Raw Feeding: What Dog Owners Report

Both PMR and BARF raw feeders consistently report improvements across a range of health markers:

• Improved coat condition and skin health
• Better dental health and fresher breath
• Increased energy levels
• Firmer, smaller, less odorous stools
• Healthier body weight and reduced obesity
• Greater meal satisfaction and engagement at feeding time

What the Latest Research Says About Raw Dog Food

The science around raw feeding is catching up with what many raw feeders have observed anecdotally for years. Recent peer-reviewed research paints a compelling picture.

Gut Microbiome & Immunity

A landmark 2024 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science by researchers at Oklahoma State University was the first to report that raw meat-based diets are associated with increased fecal intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), IgA, and IgG - all key markers of local gut immune defence. In short, raw-fed dogs showed a meaningfully stronger immune response in the gut compared to kibble-fed dogs.

A 2025 review published in Microorganisms confirmed that protein-based diets, including high-protein and raw formats, can positively affect microbial composition, stimulate short-chain fatty acid synthesis, and enhance intestinal barrier function.

Metabolic Health

In 2025, Dr Anna Hielm-Björkman and her DogRisk team at the University of Helsinki published a controlled intervention study in The Veterinary Journal showing that raw-fed dogs had a lower TyG index - a validated proxy for insulin resistance used in both human and veterinary medicine - compared to kibble-fed dogs, who showed a metabolic fingerprint associated with blood sugar abnormalities and increased disease risk.

Microbiome Therapeutics

A 2025 review in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association highlighted that microbiome therapeutics - including diet, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplant - are gaining significant recognition in the management of companion animal health and disease. This reinforces the central role that raw feeding plays as a dietary lever in maintaining a healthy canine gut ecosystem.

Probiotics & Raw Feeding Work Together

A 2025 study published in BMC Microbiology (Seoul National University) found that dogs with atopic dermatitis had significantly lower gut microbial diversity than healthy dogs, and that probiotic administration effectively improved clinical symptoms of the condition by restoring gut microbiota balance. This highlights why pairing a raw food diet with a quality probiotic can offer synergistic benefits — the raw diet provides the right nutritional environment, while probiotics actively support and restore healthy microbial populations.

Important note: While the research trend is encouraging, it's worth acknowledging that the scientific community continues to call for more prospective, longitudinal studies. A well-formulated raw diet - not just a random collection of raw meats - is key to realising these benefits.

Raw Feeding and Fungal Overgrowth in Dogs 

A critical consideration when choosing between PMR and BARF is whether your dog is dealing with fungal or yeast overgrowth (candidiasis).

Raw diets are typically low in carbohydrates - a crucial factor, since carbohydrates break down into sugars that feed yeast. Reducing carbohydrate intake effectively starves the yeast and inhibits its overgrowth.

If your dog is showing signs of yeast overgrowth - such as chronic ear infections, itchy skin, a "yeasty" smell, or skin rashes — the BARF diet's inclusion of fruits and some vegetables temporarily makes it unsuitable, as these contain sugars and starches that can continue to feed the infection.

Natural complementary approaches to managing yeast overgrowth include eliminating all carbohydrates and sugars from the diet, and supporting the gut with specific digestive enzymes, pau d'arco, and caprylic acid - all of which can help combat the protective biofilm that yeast cells form around themselves.

Our recommendation: Dogs with active yeast infections should be transitioned to a strictly PMR diet until the infection is resolved. Once cleared, you can begin reintroducing plant matter if desired, starting only with low-sugar green vegetables (spinach, courgette, broccoli) before any coloured vegetables or fruit. Pair this dietary intervention with a quality probiotic to actively restore gut microbial balance.

Important Considerations Before You Start Raw Feeding

Starting a raw food journey requires commitment, education, and planning. Here's what to keep in mind:

Food Safety: Raw meats carry bacterial risks - for both your dog and your household. Learn proper storage, handling, and sanitation protocols before you begin.

Nutritional Balance: Neither PMR nor BARF will be complete or balanced if you feed only one or two proteins, or bulk out meals with white rice or filler carbohydrates. Rotate proteins, include the correct ratio of organs to muscle meat, and - for BARF - use verified recipes or consult a canine nutritionist.

Transition Gradually: Moving from kibble to raw should be done incrementally to allow your dog's digestive system (and microbiome) time to adapt.

Monitor Your Dog: Track body condition, coat quality, stool consistency, energy levels, and overall demeanour as you make the transition. These are your best real-world indicators of whether the diet is working.

Which Raw Diet Is Right for Your Dog?

Choosing between PMR and BARF comes down to your philosophy, your dog's individual needs, and how much preparation time you have.

Choose PMR if:

• You want a simple, whole-prey approach
• Your dog is dealing with yeast or fungal overgrowth
• You prefer lower cost and less prep time

Choose BARF if:

• You believe in the omnivore model and want to include plant nutrition
• You're comfortable with more involved meal preparation
• Your dog doesn't have active yeast concerns

Both diets, when properly formulated, represent a significant step up from conventional kibble in terms of whole-food nutrition, digestive health, and vitality. The key is education, commitment to food safety, and ongoing monitoring of your dog's health and condition.

Whether you go full PMR or venture into BARF territory, the rewards - a healthier coat, a thriving gut, and a more vibrant dog - speak for themselves.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or replace consulting a primary veterinarian for individualized care.