Getting the portion size right is one of the most common questions we hear from owners starting out on raw. Feed too little and your dog will not thrive; feed too much and you risk unnecessary weight gain. The good news is that working it out is fairly straightforward once you know what to look for.

The Basic Starting Point: 2% to 3% of Body Weight

The standard guide for raw feeding is to feed between 2% and 3% of your dog's body weight per day. So for a 20kg dog, that works out to around 400g to 600g of raw food daily, split across one or two meals.

This is a starting point, not a fixed rule. Every dog is different, and you will likely need to adjust based on how your dog looks and feels over the first few weeks.

Factors That Affect How Much to Feed

Age

Puppies need more food relative to their body weight to support growth, typically around 5% to 10% of their current body weight, fed across three or four meals a day. As they approach adulthood, you gradually reduce this. Senior dogs often need slightly less, particularly if they are less active, though this varies by individual.

Size and weight

Larger breeds generally need more food in absolute terms, but smaller dogs can sometimes have surprisingly high energy requirements relative to their size. Use your dog's current healthy weight as the basis for your calculation, not their actual weight if they are over or underweight.

Activity level

A working dog or one that gets several hours of exercise a day will need more than a dog that has a couple of short walks. If your dog is very active, start at the higher end of the range and adjust from there. Less active or older dogs often do better at the lower end.

How to Calculate the Right Portion

1. Find your dog's healthy weight in kilograms.
2. Multiply by 0.02 for the lower end (2%) and 0.03 for the upper end (3%).
3. Start in the middle and observe your dog over two to four weeks.
4. Adjust up or down based on body condition, energy and stool quality.

For example, a 15kg adult dog with moderate activity would start on around 300g to 450g per day. Our complete raw meals come in 454g portions, which makes portioning simple for most medium-sized dogs.

What to Watch For

Rather than obsessing over exact grams, keep an eye on your dog's body condition. You should be able to feel their ribs easily without pressing hard, see a visible waist when looking from above, and notice a slight tuck of the tummy when viewed from the side. If your dog is looking a bit round, reduce slightly. If they seem lean or hungry, increase gradually.

Stool quality is also a useful indicator. Well-formed, small stools are a good sign. Loose stools can mean too much fat or bone content, or that the portion is too large for where they are in their raw feeding journey.

Do Not Forget Treats and Chews

If you are giving natural treats or chews throughout the day, these count towards your dog's overall food intake. Reduce the main meal slightly on days when your dog has had a particularly rich chew or a lot of training treats.

Need a Hand Working It Out?

If you are not sure where to start, get in touch and we will help you work out the right amount for your dog. We offer nationwide delivery and collection from Moordown and Blandford, and our raw feeding guide has more detail on getting started.