Use our raw dog food calculator to learn how much raw food to feed your dog or puppy diet. Options include BARF and PMR raw dog feeding calculators. Just enter a few basic details about your dog, and the answer will appear for free in seconds.
- Enter your dog’s weight
- Enter your dog’s life stage
- Enter raw meal model
- Finally, press the “Calculate Dog Food” button
Raw Dog Food Calculator
Remember that the feeding guidelines provided are just initial recommendations since every pet is unique. Consider the suggested amounts from our calculator as a baseline. Observe your pet’s response over two weeks and then adjust the portions accordingly, either increasing or decreasing, based on your pet’s specific needs. Remember to talk to your vet before changing your dog’s diet. You can get personalized nutritional advice from a registered vet nutritionist through Vetster anytime, anywhere. You can also chat with an online vet and ask them questions about your dog’s nutritional needs.
General Raw Feeding Guidelines
The amount of raw food you should feed your dog can vary widely based on several factors, including your dog’s age, weight, activity level, and overall health. Here’s a general guideline to give you a starting point:
- Adult Dogs: Typically, adults should eat approximately 2% to 3% of their body weight in raw food daily. For example, a 50-pound dog might consume about 1 to 1.5 pounds of raw food daily.
- Puppies: Puppies require more food because they are growing rapidly. Depending on their age and expected adult weight, they might need 2% to 4% of their body weight each day. Puppies also usually eat more frequently—up to three or four times a day.
- Senior Dogs: Older dogs often have lower energy requirements. Feeding them around 2% of their body weight or less can be adequate, but this can vary depending on their health and activity levels.
- Active and Working Dogs: Dogs that are highly active, work as service dogs, or participate in sports might need more food—sometimes up to 4% to 5% of their body weight.
How Often Should I Feed My Dog and Puppy Raw Meat?
The frequency at which you should feed your dog or puppy raw meat depends on the dog’s age, size, and activity level. Here are some general guidelines to help you determine an appropriate feeding schedule:
For Puppies
Puppies have higher nutritional needs because they are growing rapidly. Therefore, they require more frequent meals compared to adult dogs.
- Under 4 months old: It’s typical to feed puppies three to four times a day. This helps support their fast growth and high energy levels.
- 4 to 6 months old: You can usually reduce feeding to three times a day.
- Over 6 months: Most puppies can be transitioned to twice-daily feeding, which is often maintained into adulthood.
For Adult Dogs
Adult dogs can typically be fed once or twice a day. Feeding frequency can depend on your dog’s health, behavior, and preference:
- Twice-a-day feeding: Commonly recommended as it helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps dogs from getting overly hungry between meals.
- Once-a-day feeding: Appropriate for some dogs, especially if they are less active or prone to weight gain, but it’s important to consult with a vet to ensure that all nutritional and energy needs are met.
Senior Dogs
As dogs age, their metabolism can slow down, and their energy requirements may decrease. However, feeding frequency often remains the same:
- Twice a day: Typical to feed them two times daily, although the portion sizes may need to be adjusted based on their health, weight, and activity levels.
Important Considerations
- Consistency is Key: Try feeding your dog at the same times each day to help regulate its body functions.
- Monitor Your Dog’s Health: Watch how your dog responds to their feeding schedule and adjust as necessary in consultation with your vet.
- Access to Water: Always ensure that fresh water is available, especially when feeding a raw diet, as it can increase thirst.
Feeding Your Dog The Right Diet
Now that you know how much to feed, here are some tips and guides on feeding the right raw diet without the hassle of calculating portions, as well as for those who love to make their dog’s food.
Commercial Raw Diets
These are pre-packaged and available in pet stores or online. They typically come frozen. Commercial raw diets are formulated to meet a dog’s nutritional needs and are convenient for pet owners. Commercial raw foods are sold in large blocks, chubs, tubs, or pre-portioned patties. This raw diet must be stored frozen for the stage and thawed before serving. You will need freezer storage space if you get this food for your dogs.
Homemade Raw Dog Food
This involves pet owners sourcing and preparing the raw ingredients themselves. While it allows for more control over the ingredients, it requires a good understanding of canine nutrition to ensure the diet is balanced. Preparing your raw homemade dog food poses a higher risk of contamination and mis-balancing nutrients, resulting in poor nutrition that could have long-term consequences on your pet’s health. However, some pros of raw homemade meals allow you to source ingredients safe for your dog. Plus, it’s usually cheaper to buy your raw ingredients.
Affordable Raw Dog Diet
Commercial raw meat foods are slightly more expensive than kibble, but the health benefits and convenience may be worth the extra cost. For cost-saving tips, check out our ‘Feeding Raw Dog Food on a Budget‘ guide.
Raw Dog Food Calculator App
Ensuring your dog receives the correct amount of raw food is crucial for their health, well-being, and longevity. Accurate feeding not only supports optimal physical condition but also prevents nutritional deficiencies and excesses that can lead to health issues. We strongly recommend using our raw dog food calculator as a starting point to determine the right portion sizes for your dog. This tool is designed to take into account your pet’s unique characteristics and needs, providing a tailored feeding guide.
Additionally, for those looking to learn more about a BARF diet, be sure to read our raw diet for dogs guide and raw dog food for beginners to get the latest insights and advice on raw feeding dogs.