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Nutritional Gaps

  • vonfrohnhoefergerm
  • Apr 29
  • 3 min read
This is a bowl of food for your dog that has Nutrient Gaps
This is a bowl of food for your dog that has Nutrient Gaps

Hidden Nutrient Gaps in Raw Feeding: Building Balance Beyond 80/10/10

Raw feeding can be an incredible way to nourish dogs with fresh, species-appropriate food—but one of the biggest misconceptions in homemade feeding is that prey ratios alone guarantee nutritional balance.

An 80/10/10 raw diet can be a solid foundation:

  • 80% muscle meat (including heart, which is a muscle meat)

  • 10% secreting organs (including liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas)

  • *10% edible bone

But true nutritional balance goes beyond percentages.

Because even a well-structured raw diet can still leave nutritional gaps if important trace minerals, essential fats, and cofactors are overlooked.

Often, the first signs are subtle.

You may notice:

  • Dull coat

  • Itchy skin

  • Weak structure

  • Low stamina

  • Slow recovery

  • Chronic skin or ear issues

  • Loose stools

  • Ligament weakness

  • Growth concerns in puppies

Sometimes those signs may reflect nutrients imbalance.




Balance Starts With the Foundation

Before adding “extras,” the daily foundation matters.

Your 80/10/10 Should Include These Daily

80% Muscle Meat

Rotate protein variety:

  • Beef

  • Turkey

  • Chicken

  • Lamb

  • Rabbit

  • Pork

  • Fish

  • Heart (counts as muscle meat, not organ)

10% Secreting Organs — Fed Daily as Part of the Diet

This isn’t an occasional add-in.

These belong in the everyday balance:

  • Liver

  • Kidney

  • Spleen

  • Pancreas (optional rotation)

A common approach:

  • About half the organ portion as liver

  • The remaining half from kidney, spleen, pancreas or other secreting organs

These provide:

  • Vitamin A

  • Copper

  • B vitamins

  • Iron

  • Selenium

  • Zinc

  • Folate

They are foundational nutrition not supplements.

10% Edible Bone

Examples:

  • Chicken necks

  • Wings

  • Turkey necks

  • Ground bone

Boneless feeding? Use:

  • Eggshell

  • Balanced calcium replacement



Don’t Forget Daily Omega-3 Support

Another nutrient often underfed is omega-3.

Rather than treating omega-3s as occasional extras, many raw feeders choose to provide daily omega-3 support, especially when feeding land-animal proteins.

Include daily through:

  • Whole oily fish in rotation

  • Fish oil

  • Algae oil

  • Sardines when used in meal rotation

Omega-3s support:

  • Skin and coat

  • Joints

  • Brain and eye health

  • Anti-inflammatory balance

  • Immune function

And when feeding added fish oil, remember vitamin E support matters too.



Common Nutrient Gaps Beyond the Base Diet

Even with a strong 80/10/10 foundation, these nutrients can still deserve attention.

Calcium

Why it may run low

Often from boneless raw feeding or improper calcium-phosphorus balance.

Support with:

  • Raw meaty bones

  • Eggshell (for boneless meals)

  • Sardines with bones

Aim for: Calcium: 

Phosphorus ratio around 1:1–1.2:1



Vitamin D

Can run low when fish intake is inadequate.

Food sources:

  • Oily fish

  • Egg yolks

  • Liver

Important cofactors:

  • Magnesium

  • Vitamin K2

  • Zinc



Zinc

Often one of the biggest raw-feeding gaps.

Low zinc may show up as:

  • Skin issues

  • Hair thinning

  • Poor wound healing

  • Dull coat

Food sources:

  • Beef

  • Lamb

  • Kidney

  • Liver

  • Oysters

  • Mussels

  • Pumpkin seeds



Vitamin E

Often overlooked in homemade diets.

Supports:

  • Muscle health

  • Immunity

  • Oxidative protection

Food sources:

  • Egg yolks

  • Fish

  • Sunflower seeds

Especially important alongside fish oils.




Manganese

A major overlooked nutrient in homemade raw diets.

Supports:

  • Ligaments

  • Tendons

  • Joints

  • Skeletal development

Food sources:

  • Green tripe

  • Mussels

  • Pumpkin seeds

  • Leafy greens

  • Nettle or parsley



Iodine

Frequently missing in homemade diets.

Food sources:

  • Kelp (small measured amounts)

  • Sea vegetables

  • Fish

Balanced iodine matters for thyroid health.





Symptom Clusters: What Your Dog May Be Telling You

Skin & Coat Issues

Think:

  • Zinc

  • Vitamin E

  • Omega-3s

  • Vitamin A

  • Selenium

Support with:

  • Fish or algae oil

  • Organs

  • Eggs

  • Seeds



Weak Structure or Joint Concerns

Think:

  • Calcium

  • Vitamin D

  • Manganese

  • Magnesium

  • K2

Support with:

  • Bones

  • Fish

  • Greens

  • Manganese-rich foods



Low Energy or Poor Recovery

Consider:

  • Iron

  • Copper

  • Selenium

  • B vitamins

  • Protein diversity

Support with:

  • Red meat rotation

  • Organs

  • Eggs

  • Seafood



Nutrient-Dense Foods Worth Feeding Regularly

These help cover common gaps:

Include routinely:

✔ Liver ✔ Kidney ✔ Spleen ✔ Heart ✔ Egg yolks ✔ Green tripe ✔ Mussels or oysters ✔ Leafy greens or pumpkin ✔ Small measured kelp ✔ Fish or algae oil daily

Think of these as foundational foods, not occasional “boosters.”



Food First… But Balance Still Matters

Whole foods can do a tremendous amount.

But puppies, breeding dogs, seniors, and orthopedic-risk dogs often need even tighter nutrient balancing.

That’s where professional formulation can be valuable.



Final Thoughts

Raw feeding is about much more than prey ratios.

It’s about complete nutrition over time.

And some of the biggest gaps in homemade diets often aren’t protein-related at all—they’re trace mineral and cofactor related:

  • Iodine

  • Manganese

  • Zinc

  • Vitamin E

  • Omega-3s

  • Selenium

  • Magnesium

  • Vitamin K2 support

Start with a solid 80/10/10 foundation.

Feed liver, kidney and spleen as part of that daily organ portion.

Feed omega-3 support daily through fish or algae oil.

Then build variety around that.

Variety builds resilience. Balance builds health.


 
 
 

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Welcome To The Raw side and Lightly Cooked TCVM K-9 Food Therapy Page

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I would like to introduce myself my name is Melissa Frohnhoefer. I am a Certified TCVM K-9 Food Therapist. My goal as a TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) Food Therapist is to use food as medicine to help pets achieve balance and overall health. I will provide customized diets based on a pet’s body constitution and imbalances (like too much heat, cold, dampness, or dryness) to support healing and prevent disease. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, I will choose specific ingredients that nourish the pet’s organs, energy (Qi), and immune system, promoting long-term wellness in a natural way.

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For those who don't know what TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) is here is information on what it is all about.

 

TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) is a natural approach using an ancient healing system to support pets' health naturally. (TCVM) has been used for over 2,000 years. It includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na (a type of therapeutic massage). TCVM focuses on balancing the body's energy (Qi) to promote healing, prevent illness, and improve overall well-being. It can be especially helpful for pain relief, digestive issues, anxiety, and chronic conditions in pets.

 

For those who don't know what Qi is here is a brief description: In TCVM, Qi (pronounced "chee") is the vital life energy that flows through the body, supporting health and balance. When Qi moves smoothly, pets stay healthy, but if it becomes blocked or weak, illness and pain can occur. TCVM treatments include acupuncture, herbs, and food therapy helps restore the natural flow of Qi to promote healing and well-being.

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History of TCVM (used for animals) and TCM (used for people):

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 has been practiced for over 5,000 years for people. The earliest written records of TCM date back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC). 

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Information on TCVM and Raw & Lightly Cooked Recipes:
The recipes that are given will be a diet specific to what your K-9's needs are using my knowledge on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. I will send  questionnaires and the information that is provided about your pet will help me determine what your pets body requires for foods. 

TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine):  

TCVM is a diet that is formulated based on a pet’s unique characteristics and imbalances. To be more specific  I will determine your pets: Body Constitution, find any imbalances and find their food energetics with the questionaries' you fill out. The recipes will contain species appropriate food that relate to your pets  specific element, energetics . The recipes will include meats, bones, organ meats, vegetables, fruits, oils, herbs and will have supplements. If you are requesting lightly cooked food recipes detail information to how to cook it will be sent. The recipes will be balanced with the AFFCO or NRC guidelines. 
 

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Consultations are in person and virtual. 

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        Options include Chicken, Beef, Pork, and Lamb

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Recipes Catered To Your Dog's TCVM Constitution 
Meal and Treat Recipes for Each Element 🐾

 

Understanding your dog's Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) constitution can help tailor their diet for optimal health. Whether your dog is of the Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, or Wood element, we offer recipes designed to balance their unique energies.

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 Meal Recipes

Enhance your dog's well-being with our TCVM-inspired meal recipes:

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To order meal or treat recipes:

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Please include your dog's TCVM constitution and any specific dietary concerns.

Empower your dog's health through personalized nutrition rooted in the wisdom of TCVM.

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If you need further assistance or have questions about determining your dog's TCVM constitution, feel free to reach out and a consultation appointment can be set up!

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