ardam, formerly CDK9 Raw, has always believed that raw feeding decisions should be backed by solid information, not just enthusiasm. This article looks back at a landmark independent UK feeding study, widely known as "Raw Proof," and places it alongside the broader body of research and thinking on raw feeding, including the foundational work of Dr. Ian Billinghurst and the "BARF" (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) model that many raw feeders still reference today.
The background: where does raw feeding theory come from?
Modern raw feeding as a structured approach owes much of its popularity to Dr. Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian who published "Give Your Dog a Bone" in 1993. Billinghurst proposed that dogs are biologically suited to a diet resembling what their ancestors would have eaten: raw meat, bone and organ matter, broadly in proportions echoing a whole prey animal. This became known as the BARF model, generally built around a rough framework of roughly 80% muscle meat, 10% bone and 10% organ (with half of that organ portion being liver). Billinghurst's work sparked ongoing debate within veterinary and nutrition science circles, and it remains one of the most cited starting points for raw feeding practice today.
Since then, raw feeding has grown from a niche practice into a mainstream feeding option chosen by many pet owners across Australia and internationally, alongside continued academic interest in comparing raw, fresh and processed diets.
A closer look at the "Raw Proof" study
One of the more comprehensive independent investigations into raw feeding was conducted by UK raw food company Honey's Real Dog Food, published as "Raw Proof: The Results of a 24 Month Investigation into a Species-Appropriate Diet for Dogs." The study set out to assess whether raw diets could meet recognised nutritional frameworks, including guidelines from the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) and feeding trial protocols modelled on standards used by the Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO).
Key features of the study included:
- Five raw recipes (beef, lamb, chicken, rabbit and a vegetable-free chicken variant) were laboratory analysed across multiple batches over a 24-month period to account for seasonal variation in ingredients.
- A feeding trial involving 26 dogs of varying breeds and ages, fed the rotating raw recipes over an extended period while living at home with their families rather than in a laboratory setting.
- Each dog received a full veterinary health assessment, including blood testing and body condition scoring, at the start and end of the trial.
The published results reported that the laboratory-analysed recipes met the nutritional adequacy thresholds set out in the FEDIAF guidelines, and that dogs in the feeding trial maintained stable weight and body condition with no reported nutritional deficiencies over the study period. The full report, running to roughly 78 pages, is publicly available from Honey's Real Dog Food for readers who want to review the methodology and data directly.
Why independent studies like this matter
Nutrition science in companion animals is a relatively specialised field, and much of the published research historically has been funded by large commercial pet food manufacturers. That does not automatically make that research invalid, but it does mean independently funded studies, like Raw Proof, add valuable data points to the broader picture, particularly for feeding approaches like raw diets that are less represented in mainstream veterinary nutrition curricula.
It is worth noting, as with any single study, that 26 dogs is a modest sample size, and results from one study should be considered alongside the wider body of research rather than treated as the final word. The MSD Veterinary Manual and the Australian Veterinary Association both maintain general resources on companion animal nutrition that reflect the broader scientific conversation around diet types, including raw feeding.
How raw feeding research has evolved since
Since Billinghurst's early work and studies like Raw Proof, interest in comparing raw, fresh-cooked and processed commercial diets has continued to grow within veterinary nutrition circles internationally. Researchers have looked at everything from nutrient bioavailability to microbiome differences between feeding types, and the picture that emerges is nuanced rather than one-sided: different feeding approaches carry different trade-offs around convenience, cost, nutritional formulation risk and owner effort. What most nutrition researchers agree on is that any diet, raw or otherwise, needs to be properly formulated to be nutritionally complete, and that poorly formulated versions of any diet type, including raw, can create deficiencies over time.
This is exactly why we encourage owners considering raw feeding to choose a properly formulated commercial raw mix, rather than assembling a homemade raw diet without professional guidance, unless working with a vet or qualified animal nutritionist who can check the formulation.
What this means for your own dog
If you are considering raw feeding, research like this is useful context, but the right approach still depends on your individual dog's age, breed, health status and any existing conditions. A nutritionally balanced raw diet, correctly formulated, is one legitimate feeding option many Australian dog owners choose. As always, we recommend discussing any major diet change with your vet, particularly for puppies, senior dogs or dogs with pre-existing health issues.
At ardam, our mixes are formulated around the meat, bone and offal principles that underpin the BARF model, using 100% human-grade ingredients sourced in Australia. Our current active range includes Beef, Chicken and Duck. If you would like to see how a properly formulated raw diet works in practice, our sample pack is a simple way to start, and our feeding quiz can help you calculate the right portion for your dog's size and activity level.
A Sydney and Australia-wide perspective
Raw feeding has a strong home-grown history in Australia, given Dr. Billinghurst's foundational work here, and the practice continues to grow across Sydney and the rest of the country as more owners look for transparency in their dog's diet. Whatever you choose, the goal is the same: a diet that is nutritionally complete, safely handled, and right for your individual dog.
How to read pet nutrition research as a shopper
Nutrition science, whether about raw feeding, commercial diets or anything in between, is genuinely complex, and a single study rarely settles a debate completely. As a shopper, the most useful approach is looking for a body of evidence over time rather than any single headline result, being wary of studies funded exclusively by a party with a commercial stake in the outcome, and discussing findings with your vet rather than making major dietary changes based on one article alone, including this one.
We think it is genuinely encouraging that more rigorous research into raw feeding is happening at all, and we will continue tracking developments in this space as they are published. For readers who want the veterinary and nutrition science background on complete and balanced diets, the MSD Veterinary Manual is a reliable independent starting point. If you would like to see how ardam's own recipes are put together, our full range lists the ingredient composition for every mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BARF diet?
BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, a feeding model popularised by Australian veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst, generally based around a ratio of muscle meat, bone and organ matter intended to reflect a dog's natural ancestral diet.
What was the Raw Proof study?
Raw Proof was a 24-month independent UK investigation by Honey's Real Dog Food assessing whether raw diets could meet recognised nutritional standards, including a feeding trial involving 26 dogs living at home.
Is one study enough to prove raw feeding is nutritionally adequate?
No single study is definitive on its own. Raw Proof is a useful, independently funded data point, but it should be considered alongside the wider body of veterinary nutrition research, and any diet decision should involve your vet.
Who was Dr. Ian Billinghurst?
Dr. Ian Billinghurst is an Australian veterinarian widely credited with popularising the BARF raw feeding model through his 1993 book "Give Your Dog a Bone."
Is raw feeding suitable for every dog?
Not necessarily. Suitability depends on your dog's age, health status and any existing conditions. Always discuss a raw feeding transition with your vet, particularly for puppies and dogs with health issues.
What ingredients does ardam use in its raw mixes?
ardam's mixes use 100% human-grade meat, bone and offal sourced in Australia. Our current active range includes Beef, Chicken and Duck.
Where can I read the full Raw Proof report?
The full 78-page report is publicly published by Honey's Real Dog Food for anyone who wants to review the methodology and results in detail.
Reviewed by the ardam team.
