How Much Do I Feed?
It’s important to be aware of how much you should be feeding your pet. If you have never fed raw before, you may be surprised as you watch your dog’s health improve while they transition to a healthier diet. Raw food has more calories and is more nutritionally dense than grain based kibble or canned food. Your dog will require less raw food than what they are currently eating. But how much less?
First, don’t base the amount on what your dog tells you. This is some good stuff, and most dogs will beg for more. There will also be less bulk (filler) in their tummy. You need a game plan, and willpower.
A good starting point is 2.5% of body weight. If your dog is 40 pounds, needs to maintain weight, and is reasonably active, he’ll need about 2.5% in dog food. That’s 1 pound. You can feed that all at once, or half in the morning and half at night.
If your dog is too thin or chases rabbits all day, feed more. If your dog is overweight, older, or less active, feed less. Pregnant and nursing mothers need 5-10% of body weight daily, as do puppies. All our recipes are certified for growth for puppies. A dog that is unhealthy and too thin will need more food. However, avoid overfeeding. Try 3% or 3.5% for a gradual weight gain.
To determine the amount of daily Raw Dog Food, check out the percentage recommendations below or try our Raw Food Calculator. Not sure how to transition your dog to a raw diet? Check out our helpful tips HERE.
Feeding Guidelines
Use our easy Raw Food Calculator for your convenience
and for puppy recommendations
Less
Active
or Weight Loss Goals
2.0% of body weight
0.02 x (dog's weight in lbs)
= daily food amount
or At Ideal Weight
2.5% of body weight
0.025 x (dog's weight in lbs)
= daily food amount
More
Active
or High-Energy Breeds
3.0% of body weight
0.03 x (dog's weight in lbs)
= daily food amount
Working Dog
or Weight Gain Goals
3.5% of body weight
0.035 x (dog's weight in lbs)
= daily food amount
Active
Every four-legged friend will metabolize food at a different rate. Activity level, breed, and age are just a few factors that will affect the nutritional quantities for your pet. If your dog is underweight or hungry, feed more often and/or in greater quantity. If your pet is overweight or obese, feed less.
Keep in mind that our feeding guidelines should be used as a starting point. Some large breeds have lower food requirements than average, and some active breeds need more food than their weight would imply. You know your pet better than we do, and you can adjust from this model as you feel best.