How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog?

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

Many raw-food feeding guides use 2% to 3% of a healthy adult dog’s ideal bodyweight per day as a rough starting estimate. For a 20kg adult, that is 400g to 600g daily, divided into meals. The correct amount also depends on the recipe’s energy density: follow the specific manufacturer’s feeding instructions and monitor body condition.

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.

Adult raw dog food feeding chart by weight

These are calculated examples at 2%, 2.5% and 3%, not minimum and maximum safe intakes or a prescription for every dog. Our plan builder uses an unadjusted 2% adult starting rate, then considers activity, body condition and neutering. Its result can differ from this simple comparison. For overweight or underweight dogs, agree a target and feeding plan with your vet.

Factors That Affect How Much to Feed

Age

Puppies need growth-specific nutrition and portions that change as they develop. Do not apply this adult table to a puppy or simply increase bone content. See our puppy feeding and ratio guide. Senior dogs also need individual portions based on health, activity and body condition.

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. Use the food manufacturer’s starting amount and monitor weight and body condition; do not automatically choose the midpoint of a generic range.
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.

Monitor stools as well as weight, but do not use small or firm stools as proof of complete nutrition. Persistent diarrhoea, blood, vomiting, pain or lethargy needs veterinary advice rather than repeated changes to portion size.

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.

How many 454g blocks will I need?

Calculate daily grams × days ÷ 454. For example, at an established 400g daily allowance, 30 days uses 12,000g: approximately 26.43 blocks, so round up to 27 whole blocks when planning supply. A 24-block box contains 10.896kg and lasts about 27 days at that allowance. Weigh individual meals rather than assuming one block equals one day.

Compare the monthly cost and whole-box purchase examples and check freezer capacity before buying multiple boxes.

Choose your food and repeat-order interval

Use our plan builder for a shop starting estimate, then check the selected food’s label. You can compare complete-labelled raw meals and subscription options once you know how quickly you use each box. Complementary products need an appropriate overall feeding plan.

Independent feeding guidance

For help assessing diet suitability, see PDSA’s advice on your dog’s diet.