Raw Dog Food Feeding Schedule: How Often Should You Feed?

Most adult dogs do well on two raw meals a day, morning and evening, and most puppies on three meals a day until they are around 12 months old. That is the routine our Raw Plan uses when it splits your dog's daily amount into meals. There is no single right answer for every dog, but a consistent routine matters far more than the exact times you choose.

One of the first questions new raw feeders ask is how often to feed, so here is a practical guide to setting a schedule that works for your dog and your household.

How many meals a day for an adult dog?

Two meals a day suits most adult dogs. It keeps hunger steady through the day, makes each portion a manageable size and fits naturally around most people's routines.

Some owners feed small or less active adult dogs once a day, and many dogs cope well with that. If you would like to try it, keep the daily amount the same, watch your dog's energy and body condition, and go back to two meals if they seem hungry, sick up bile in the morning or struggle with a larger single portion. Speak to your vet first if your dog has a health condition.

How many meals a day for a puppy?

Puppies grow quickly and have small stomachs, so they need their daily food spread across more meals than an adult dog.

• Very young puppies (around 8 to 12 weeks): often have four smaller meals a day when they first come home. Follow your breeder's or vet's routine to begin with.
• Puppies under 12 months: three meals a day is a sensible routine for most, and it is what our Raw Plan uses for puppies.
• From around 12 months: most dogs move to two meals a day. Large and giant breeds may keep growing for longer, but they can still usually switch to two meals at around a year old.

Puppies need more food for their weight than adults, so their daily amount is different too. Our guide to raw feeding ratios for puppies and dogs explains how puppy portions are worked out.

What time should you feed?

Pick times you can stick to every day. Dogs like routine, and feeding at roughly the same times helps with digestion, toilet habits and settling. If you feed twice a day, a gap of around 10 to 12 hours between meals works well for most dogs.

Many vets suggest avoiding vigorous exercise for about an hour before and after a meal, especially for large, deep-chested breeds where bloat is a concern. A gentle stroll is fine; a long run or hard play straight after eating is best avoided.

How much to feed at each meal

Work out your dog's daily amount first, then divide it by the number of meals. For example, a dog that needs 400g a day on two meals has 200g at breakfast and 200g at tea time. Our Raw Plan does this for you, and our post on how much raw dog food to feed explains the guidelines behind it.

Most of our complete raw meals come in 454g blocks, which are easy to portion: defrost a block and split it across meals or days as needed. For small dogs, smaller packs make portioning easier still.

Tips for raw mealtimes

• Defrost in the fridge, not on the worktop. Moving the next day's food from the freezer to the fridge after the evening meal means it is ready in the morning.
• Serve it cool. Most dogs happily eat food straight from the fridge. If yours prefers it less cold, let it sit for a few minutes first.
• Don't leave raw food out. If your dog walks away from their bowl, cover it and put it back in the fridge or throw it away, rather than leaving it sitting at room temperature.
• Keep things clean. Use a bowl you can wash thoroughly, and wash your hands and surfaces after handling raw food. Our raw feeding safety guide covers handling and storage in more detail.
• Count treats and chews. If your dog has natural chews during the day, reduce their meals slightly so their total intake stays balanced. See how many treats a dog can have a day for a simple rule of thumb.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to feed my dog raw once a day?

For many healthy adult dogs, yes, as long as the daily amount is right. Two meals is the more common routine and suits most dogs better. Puppies should not be fed once a day.

Can I feed raw at different times on weekdays and weekends?

A little flexibility is fine. Try to keep the gap between meals roughly similar, and avoid long stretches where your dog goes much longer than usual without food.

My dog won't finish their meal. What should I do?

Pick the bowl up after a short while and offer the next meal at the usual time. If your dog regularly leaves food, they may simply need a smaller portion. If they suddenly stop eating, or seem unwell, speak to your vet.

Getting into a routine

The best feeding schedule is one you can keep to. Most dogs settle into a raw routine within a week or two, and many owners find it simpler than they expected. If you are just starting out, our New to raw guide covers the basics, and you can build a personalised plan, including meals a day and portion sizes, with our Raw Plan. If you have any questions, pop into our Moordown or Blandford shops or get in touch, and we will happily help.