Why Our Prey Model Raw Blends Are Not Formulated to AAFCO Nutrient Profiles

A Different Approach to Feeding

At Ancestral Raw Nutrition, we follow a Prey Model Raw (PMR) feeding philosophy. Our approach is centered around feeding species-appropriate, whole-animal ingredients rather than formulating every individual blend to meet a laboratory-defined nutrient profile.

Because of this, our PMR blends are not formulated to AAFCO nutrient profiles as complete and balanced diets.

This is an intentional part of our feeding philosophy—not an oversight.

What Is AAFCO?

AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) establishes nutrient profiles and model regulations that are widely used in the pet food industry.

AAFCO nutrient profiles are designed around pet foods that are formulated to provide defined levels of nutrients when fed according to their intended use as a complete diet.

Many conventional pet foods are formulated specifically around these nutrient targets. This often involves carefully calculating nutrient levels and, depending on the formulation, adding supplemental vitamins and minerals to achieve the desired nutritional profile.

That is a fundamentally different approach from PMR.

Our Prey Model Raw Philosophy

Prey Model Raw focuses on using whole-animal components as the foundation of the diet.

Our blends may include components such as:

• Muscle meat

• Edible bone

• Organ meats

• Other species-appropriate animal parts

The philosophy is that these whole-food ingredients naturally provide a broad range of nutrients.

Rather than viewing each individual blend as a chemically balanced meal, PMR emphasizes variety, rotation, and the inclusion of different animal proteins and whole-animal components over time.

Why We Don't Add a Synthetic Vitamin & Mineral Premix to Make Each Blend Meet a Profile

Our goal is to keep our PMR products aligned with the philosophy behind feeding whole-animal foods.

We believe there is value in obtaining nutrients from naturally occurring food sources and incorporating variety into a raw feeding program.

Therefore, we do not formulate our PMR blends around the objective of adding synthetic vitamin and mineral premixes simply to make an individual product match an established nutrient profile.

This does not mean that every PMR blend contains every nutrient a dog or cat needs in the exact amounts required for a complete diet.

Instead, these products are intended to be used by pet parents who intentionally choose a Prey Model Raw feeding approach and understand the importance of appropriate variety and feeding practices.

Variety Matters

One of the foundational principles of our PMR philosophy is rotation.

Different animal proteins and whole-animal components naturally provide different nutrient compositions. Rotating appropriately among proteins and incorporating a variety of components can provide nutritional diversity over time.

For this reason, we encourage pet parents to think beyond a single bag or single protein and consider the overall feeding program.

Variety is an important part of the PMR approach.

PMR Is Not the Same as a Formulated Complete-and-Balanced Diet

It is important to understand the distinction.

A product labeled as meeting AAFCO requirements for a complete and balanced diet is formulated with the intention of providing the required nutrients when fed as directed.

A PMR blend is based on a different philosophy.

Our PMR blends are designed around whole-animal feeding principles—not around achieving an AAFCO nutrient profile for each individual blend.

Neither approach should be confused with the other.

We Respect Both Approaches

We understand that some pet parents specifically want a product formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles and labeled for a complete and balanced diet.

That is a valid choice.

Our customers choose Ancestral Raw Nutrition because they are specifically looking for a whole-food, Prey Model Raw approach and want to build their pet's feeding program around animal-based ingredients, variety, and rotation.

Our responsibility is to be transparent about what our products are—and what they are not.

If You Choose PMR, Know What You're Choosing

Prey Model Raw is not simply another type of kibble or conventional formulated pet food.

It is a feeding philosophy centered around whole-animal foods and nutritional variety.

If you choose to feed PMR, we encourage you to educate yourself about the approach, understand the nutritional requirements of your individual pet, and work with a qualified veterinary professional or veterinary nutritionist when appropriate.

Ancestral Raw Nutrition is committed to providing clearly identified, quality animal-based ingredients for pet parents who intentionally choose the PMR approach.

Our Philosophy in One Sentence

We don't formulate our PMR blends to chase a laboratory nutrient target—we formulate them around the principles of whole-animal feeding, naturally occurring nutrients, variety, and rotation.

Want more variety for your pet when feeding our PMR meals? Check out our 15/15 Boxes

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Important: Our PMR blends are not represented as AAFCO complete-and-balanced diets unless a specific product is expressly identified as such on its label. These products are intended for pet parents who intentionally choose a Prey Model Raw feeding approach. Pet parents should consider their individual animal's age, life stage, health status, and nutritional needs when determining an appropriate feeding program and should consult a veterinarian or qualified veterinary nutrition professional when appropriate.