How much raw food should dogs eat?

How Much Raw Food Should Dogs Eat Each Day?

When you switch your dog to a raw diet, figuring out the right amount to feed can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are clear guidelines and helpful charts to get you started. The key is to base your dog's daily intake on their ideal body weight, age, and activity level.

General Feeding Guidelines

For most adult dogs, you'll want to feed between 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day. If you have a puppy, that number jumps to 4–6% of their current weight daily, split into several meals. These percentages aren't set in stone—active or underweight dogs may need more, while less active or overweight dogs should start at the lower end.

• Adult dogs: 2–3% of ideal body weight daily
• Puppies: 4–6% of current weight daily (split into multiple meals)

Here's how that looks for some common weights:

• A 20 lb adult dog: 6.4–9.6 oz of raw food per day
• A 50 lb adult dog: 1–1.5 lbs per day
• A 10 lb puppy: 6.4–9.6 oz per day (divided into several meals)

Puppy Feeding Details

Puppies grow fast and burn lots of energy, so they need more food relative to their size than adults do. As a rule:

• Puppies up to 14 months: 5–10% of body weight daily, split into multiple meals

The percentage decreases as the puppy grows older:

1. 2-3 months old: 8–10%
2. 4-6 months old: 6–8%
3. 7-12 months old: 4–6%

Tweaking for Activity Level & Body Condition

If your dog is highly active or a bit underweight, start at the higher end (closer to 3%). For couch potatoes or those carrying extra pounds, stick with the lower end (around 2%). Always observe your pet—You should be able to feel ribs without excess fat and see a waist from above.

• If ribs are too visible or hips look large, increase food slightly.
• If there's no waist or it's hard to feel ribs, decrease the amount.

Sizing Meals for Different Breeds & Life Stages

• Small breeds (≤15 lbs): Puppies up to 8 oz/day split into 3-6 meals; adults max 5 oz split into 2-3 meals.
• Medium breeds (20-60 lbs): Adults get about 2-5% of body weight daily.
• Large breeds (>70 lbs): Adults need about 2-3% daily; puppies get about 50-60% more than an adult of same weight.

Seniors & Special Cases

Seniors often need less due to slower metabolism—start at 1.5–2.5%, adjusting for mobility and health. Pregnant or nursing dogs require more; increase intake by about 5–10%, especially in the third trimester.

The Transition Process

1. Start by mixing in about 25% raw food with old food.
2. Bump up the proportion every few days over two weeks until fully raw.

This gradual switch helps avoid digestive upset and lets you monitor stool quality and overall health.

Nutrient Balance & Meal Composition

A typical raw meal follows an approximate ratio:

• 80% muscle meat
• 10% bone (never cooked)
• 10% organ meats (half should be liver)

You can add small amounts of fruits, vegetables, and supplements if desired. Rotate protein sources regularly for balanced nutrition.

Troubleshooting & Adjustments

• If your dog loses or gains too much weight, adjust portions by increments of about 10%.
• Poor stool quality? Try switching protein sources or adjusting bone content.

If you're ever unsure—especially with puppies or pregnant/nursing dogs—consult a veterinarian familiar with raw diets.