Prey Model Raw (PMR)

Nia @epoch.pet

Welcome to epoch.pet’s Prey Model Raw (PMR) page. Here, I will explain everything you need to know to start your pet on a raw diet following this method. However, If you’d like a more general overview of raw feeding, then head over to our Raw Feeding Page by clicking on the link. If you don’t already know, there are two main methods of raw feeding, listed below:

This page focuses on the Prey Model Raw (PMR) approach to raw feeding and has all the information you need to learn how to start your pet on a PMR diet.

Prey Model Raw (PMR)

The ethos of a prey model raw diet is to attempt to resemble what our pet’s ancestors would eat in the wild, which we know is whole prey.

Prey Model Raw, if you haven’t already guessed, is when you feed your pet the entire animal, an example of this is feeding a whole rabbit or squirrel.

Prey Model Raw is the perfect model since we as raw feeders are ultimately trying to mimic what our dog’s ancestors, the Grey Wolf, would eat in the wild. A Prey Model Raw feeder believes that dogs are true carnivores and they have strict rules on what they think is appropriate for their pet to eat.

The PMR model excludes:

  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • All Dairy
  • And Limits Supplementation

This model is the strictest out of the two methods, and a PMR feeder thinks that their pet does not need to eat any of the above, and, their diet should solely consist of whole prey.

However, some PMR feeders do supplement with Omega 3 fatty acids, as standard commercial proteins such as intensely reared chickens have been fed a diet of high grains which results in much lower Omega-3 fatty acids being present than a high welfare bird or wild prey. Even though this model focuses on feeding whole prey, there are two different approaches a PMR feeder can take when using this model.

Your options for feeding whole prey to your pet are:

  • Feeding strictly whole prey
  • Or Franken Prey Feeding

Know we know what feeding strictly whole prey is, but what is Franken Prey feeding?

Franken prey feeding is when PMR feeders piece together different proteins to reach the required ratios of whole prey. This method is a more straightforward way of feeding the PMR diet as not everyone can get their hands on entire prey with feathers and innards still intact. An example of this is a PMR feeder giving their pet a whole duck or chicken from the supermarket and giving them offal and maybe some rabbit pelt on the side to mimic whole feeding prey. 

My Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Nia, has always loved whole prey, her favourite being a squirrel or whole rabbit. Whereas my youngest in the pack, my Border Terrier Lily, was so fussy, to begin with, but now, she seems happy to eat most things. If you have a fussy pet, who will turn their nose up at whole prey, then don’t lose all hope, as they may come round to certain proteins after a while.

I think this model is great if you can get a constant supply of whole prey and even Franken Prey feeding is a more convenient way of feeding your pet using the Prey Model Raw (PMR) method.

If you want to follow the Prey Model Raw method, then you will feed your pet:

  • 80% Muscle Meat
  • 10% Raw Meaty Bones
  • 10% Organs & Offal (5% of this must consist of liver!)

Above is a list of percentages which are what a PMR feeder would give their pet following this method. To work out how much your pet should be eating each day head over to our Raw Feeding Percentages page.

Benefits of the Prey Model Raw Diet?

Raw feeding is a great way to ensure your pet is getting as many nutrients from their diet as possible. Whether you choose to feed a BARF or Prey Model Raw Method, both have benefits and below, I am going to list the most common benefits of feeding a PMR diet.

  • It’s the most simple & effective method out of the two for ensuring your pet is getting everything they require on a raw diet.

I would say this is the main selling point for me, the fact that all you have to do is find the correct weighing whole prey then stick it down for your pet to enjoy is a massive benefit of following this method. There is no worrying about giving your pet the proper ratios because everything is already perfectly balanced.

  • It’s quick & easy, which saves time.

One of my favourite things about feeding a Prey Model Raw diet is the how simple it is, all you have to do is make sure you are feeding the correct weighing whole prey. Whereas when feeding the BARF method, it is a lot more time-consuming if you choose to make your pet’s meals following the DIY BARF approach.

  • Identical to your pet’s natural diet.

Your pet is a domesticated wolf and shares a whopping 98.8% of its genetic makeup with a Grey Wolf. Therefore the only real difference between the two is their temperament and appearance; their digestive systems are the same. By feeding your dog using this method, you are providing them with a diet they are built to eat, and that is similar to their closest ancestors, the Grey wolf.

These are just a small selection of the many benefits of feeding your pet a species appropriate diet.

The Downsides of a Prey Model Raw Diet

There are a few drawbacks when it comes to feeding a Prey Model Raw diet, but these can be easily solved and shouldn’t put you off this raw feeding model.

  • It can be a bit messy.

In my opinion, one of the most significant downsides of this method is how messy it can be when feeding your pet a whole rabbit or certain types of whole prey inside your home. When feeding a whole animal that still has all its innards inside (especially poo), it can get a bit messy! However, this can be solved easily by feeding outside in your garden or by purchasing an extra-large feeding mat. Head over to our Pet Products page to see a link to the feeding mat we got for the girls.

  • It isn’t an excellent method for fussy pets.

As I mentioned earlier, Lily, when we first started trying to introduce whole prey into her diet was having none of it. She was pretty content to solely eat BARF minces, with the odd chicken leg or wing thrown in. However, I’m pleased to tell you that she isn’t as fussy now and we can feed her rabbit and a selection of other whole prey without her turning her nose up.

Though, if you have a super fussy pet, which won’t budge and touch a single piece of whole prey, after months of trying, then it is most likely not the right diet option for your pet, and you may want to check out our BARF (Biologically Raw Food) page instead.

  • It can be hard to get hold of enough whole prey to solely just feed your pet using this method.

Unless you’re a farmer or a hunter, it can be challenging to get hold of enough whole prey to feed your pet for the month. We order our raw food from Durham Animal Feeds and some months there isn’t a lot of whole prey on offer, which limits how much we can feed. Therefore for the PMR method, this is quite a drawback when it comes to feeding the BARF method.

Join The Pack

I hope this page has helped anyone wanting to start their pet on a PRM diet or simply learn about this method of feeding. If you’d like to learn more about species-appropriate diets, and the other primary method of raw feeding, then head over to our Raw Feeding or BARF pages.

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