NRC 2006 Compliance.
Built In.
The National Research Council sets the gold standard for canine nutrition. RawPawIQ tracks all 40+ essential nutrients against NRC recommended allowances and safe upper limits—in real time.
Understanding NRC Standards
NRC 2006 is the scientific foundation for canine nutrition. Here's what you need to know.
NRC 2006
Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, published by the National Research Council. The scientific foundation for canine nutrition standards.
Recommended Allowance (RA)
The minimum amount of a nutrient needed to meet the needs of nearly all healthy dogs. Your target to hit.
Safe Upper Limit (SUL)
The maximum amount that can be fed without risk of toxicity. Critical for fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.
Per 1,000 kcal
NRC expresses requirements per 1,000 kcal of metabolizable energy, allowing comparison across different diet energy densities.
Why Ratios Aren't Enough
80/10/10 is a starting point, not a finish line. Here's the difference.
Ratio-Based Feeding
- •80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ
- •Assumes all proteins are nutritionally equivalent
- •No visibility into actual nutrient content
- •May miss zinc, manganese, vitamin E, iodine
- •Works for some dogs, fails silently for others
NRC-Based Formulation
- Tracks 40+ individual nutrients
- Accounts for nutrient variation between proteins
- Shows exactly what's deficient or excessive
- Catches gaps before they cause problems
- Science-based targets for all essential nutrients
Critical Nutrients We Track
Sample NRC values for adult dogs (per 1,000 kcal ME)
| Nutrient | RA (Minimum) | SUL (Maximum) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 1,000 mg | None set | Bone health, muscle function, blood clotting |
| Phosphorus | 750 mg | None set | Works with calcium for bone structure |
| Zinc | 15 mg | None set | Immune function, skin health, wound healing |
| Vitamin D | 3.4 mcg | 20 mcg | Calcium absorption, bone metabolism |
| Vitamin A | 379 mcg | 16,000 mcg | Vision, immune function, cell growth |
| Copper | 1.5 mg | None set | Iron metabolism, connective tissue |
How RawPawIQ Tracks Compliance
Real-time monitoring so you know exactly where your recipe stands
Real-Time Tracking
See compliance status update instantly as you add or adjust ingredients. No manual calculations.
Visual Gap Map
Color-coded bars show exactly which nutrients are below RA, within range, or approaching SUL.
RA & SUL Monitoring
We track both minimum requirements and safe upper limits to prevent both deficiency and toxicity.
Lifestage Adjustment
Requirements automatically adjust for puppies, adults, pregnant, and lactating dogs per NRC guidelines.
Important Note on SUL Tracking
Safe Upper Limits matter. Over-supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and minerals (zinc, copper, selenium) can cause toxicity. RawPawIQ warns you when you're approaching these limits—something ratio-based calculators can't do.
Ready to Formulate with Confidence?
Stop guessing about nutrient content. Build recipes that meet NRC standards.