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Your Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large dog averaging around 36 kg. Salmon is rich in EPA and DHA omega-3, making it a solid muscle-meat base for a BARF diet. Its rich profile delivers high energy density, ideal for active dogs or dogs gaining weight. Salmon is one of the least allergenic proteins — an excellent choice for sensitive skin or gut. Use the calculator below to get the exact daily ration in grams, adapted to age, activity level, and neuter status. For a large dog like the Rhodesian Ridgeback, raw meaty bones provide natural joint support through cartilage and glucosamine. In large-breed puppies, controlled growth is essential — caloric excess promotes osteoarticular problems (FEDIAF guidelines).
| 🥩 Muscle meat (70%) | 630g |
| 🦴 Raw meaty bones (10%) | 90g |
| 🫀 Liver (5%) | 45g |
| 🫁 Other organs (5%) | 45g |
| 🥦 Vegetables/Fruits (10%) | 90g |
📖 Modern BARF community standard, inspired by Dr. Ian Billinghurst's work (1993)
If your dog needs to lose or gain weight, base the diet on the ideal weight.
Don't know your dog's weight?Check our breed guides →Toxic / forbidden foods
☠️ Deadly:
Chocolate, grapes/raisins, xylitol (gum), onion, garlic, avocado (pit+skin), macadamia nuts
⚠️ Avoid:
Cooked bones (splinters), raw potato, wild mushrooms, walnuts, raw bread dough, caffeine, alcohol, excess salt, hot spices
What your dog actually eats
Raw feeding provides more animal protein, zero grains, and natural hydration — at a comparable cost.
Based on average premium kibble composition (FEDIAF) vs raw feeding.
Switching from kibble to raw must be done gradually over 4 weeks to allow the gut flora of your dog.
⚠️ Consult your vet BEFORE starting if your dog:
💡 We recommend feeding kibble and raw at separate meals for optimal digestion.
Digestion times differ and separating them helps avoid potential digestive issues.
Source: Dr. Karen Becker
Goal : ~90% white meat (Chicken, Turkey) + ~10% soft meaty bones (chicken necks/wings). No organs.
Start with small portions. Soft bones help form firm stools from the start. Watch the stools — they may be different for the first few days.
Goal : Introduce soft meaty bones (chicken necks, wings).
Meaty bones must always be raw. Never give cooked bones — risk of splintering.
Goal : Introduce 50% red meat (Beef, Pork — frozen ≥3 weeks at -20°C to neutralize Aujeszky's disease and Trichinella) and Liver (very rich).
Liver is very rich in vitamin A — do not exceed 5% of the total ration.
Goal : Add other organs, vegetables/fish. The diet is now complete.
Congratulations! Your dog is now on a complete raw diet. Vary proteins each week.
An adult Rhodesian Ridgeback on a normal activity level eats around 900–1080 g per day, or about 6.3 kg per week. That baseline represents 2.5–3% of body weight and should be adjusted for age, activity, and neuter status. Weigh your dog weekly and fine-tune the ration if you notice unexpected weight gain or loss. The calculator below factors in all these parameters automatically.
Yes. Salmon is a fat-rich protein that works well as the muscle-meat base (70% of the ration in classic BARF, per Dr. Billinghurst's methodology). Rotate protein sources across the week — ideally 3–4 different proteins — for complete amino-acid and micronutrient coverage. Introduce each new protein gradually over 3–5 days to monitor for any digestive sensitivity.
Aim for 10% of the daily ration as raw meaty bones — roughly 90 g per day for an adult Rhodesian Ridgeback. Choose raw bones sized to the dog's jaw and never feed cooked bones (they splinter into dangerous shards). As recommended by FEDIAF, raw meaty bones provide calcium and phosphorus in a naturally balanced 1.2:1 ratio.
Large breeds like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are predisposed to joint issues (dysplasia, arthritis). BARF helps naturally: raw meaty bones provide cartilage (a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin) and oily fish delivers anti-inflammatory omega-3s. For large-breed puppies, control growth by limiting the ration to 3–4% of body weight — caloric excess accelerates too-rapid growth, as recommended by FEDIAF guidelines.
Raw salmon MUST be frozen at -20°C for a minimum of 7 days before serving. This step kills the fluke Nanophyetus salmincola encysted in salmonid muscle — the vector for Neorickettsia helminthoeca, a rickettsial organism that causes Salmon Poisoning Disease (SPD), a potentially fatal condition. Once thawed, salmon is an exceptional source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), beneficial for skin, coat, and joints. Following NRC 2006 guidelines, 2–3 fish meals per week cover essential fatty acid requirements.
Salmon is a fat-rich protein — thaw it completely in the refrigerator and serve at room temperature for better digestibility. Fats oxidize faster, so consume within 24 hours of thawing. Frozen at -18°C, salmon keeps 2–3 months without significant nutrient loss. Pre-portion into individual bags to streamline daily meal prep and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Food storage container
Optimal raw meat storage in the freezer
⚖️Precision kitchen scale
Weigh portions to the gram — essential for BARF
🐟Fish oil Omega-3 supplement
Recommended supplement for coat and joint health
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