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How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog?

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09/06/2026 On 21/05/2026

One of the most common questions I get from dog owners starting out with raw food is this: how much do I actually give them? It sounds like it should be simple, but between different life stages, activity levels, and body sizes, it can feel complicated quickly.

The good news is that raw feeding portions follow a straightforward framework. Once you understand the logic, calculating your dog’s daily ration takes about 30 seconds. This article walks you through it step by step.

These figures are a solid starting point for most healthy adult dogs. Every dog is different, and if yours has a health condition, is a puppy, or is a working or sporting dog, a free consultation with a nutritionist (like me) is worth doing before you begin.

The Basic Formula: Percentage of Body Weight

Raw food portions are calculated as a percentage of your dog’s ideal body weight. The percentage you use depends on your dog’s life stage and how active they are.
Here are the standard starting points:

Life Stage	Daily Ration (% of body weight)
Adult dog, normal activity	2.5%
Adult dog, low activity or neutered/spayed	2%
Senior dog	2%
Puppy (8 to 10 months)	3%
Puppy (6 to 8 months)	6%
Puppy (4 to 6 months)	8%
Puppy (2 to 4 months)	10%

These percentages apply to your dog’s ideal body weight, not necessarily their current weight. If your dog is significantly overweight, base the calculation on a realistic target weight and adjust gradually. If you are unsure what that target should be, the free consultation is the right place to discuss it

How to Calculate the Daily Amount

The maths is straightforward. Multiply your dog’s weight in kilograms by the percentage that applies to them, then multiply by 1000 to get the answer in grams.
Formula: Body weight (kg) x percentage = daily grams
Three examples to make it concrete:

Dog	Weight	Life Stage	Calculation	Daily Amount
Small dog	7 kg	Adult, normal activity	7 x 0.025 x 1000	175 g per day
Medium dog	11 kg	Adult, normal activity	11 x 0.025 x 1000	275 g per day
Large dog	25 kg	Adult, normal activity	25 x 0.025 x 1000	625 g per day

Most dogs do well split across two meals per day, so divide the daily total into two equal portions. Some smaller dogs prefer one meal; some larger dogs do better with two. Either works.

How to Know if You Are Feeding the Right Amount

The calculation gives you a starting point. From there, your dog’s body will tell you whether the amount is right. After two to four weeks on raw, check these three things:
• Body condition: you should be able to feel their ribs easily without pressing hard, but not see them. A visible waist from above is a good sign.
• Stools: firm, small, and not smelly. Soft stools often mean the portion is slightly too large, or there is too much offal in the mix.
• Energy and coat: steady energy levels and a coat that looks healthy and does not feel dry or greasy.

If your dog is gaining weight, reduce the daily amount by 10% and reassess in two weeks. If they are losing weight and you want to maintain their current condition, increase by 10%. Small, gradual adjustments work better than large changes.

A Note on Active, Working, and Sporting Dogs

The 2.5% figure applies to a dog with a normal daily walk and typical home activity. If your dog is very active, such as a working farm dog, a sporting dog that trains regularly, or a dog that runs with you, they may need closer to 3% or even slightly above.

Conversely, a dog that spends most of the day resting may be fine at 2% even if they are not neutered. Watch the body and adjust accordingly.

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Puppies Are Different

Puppies need a much higher percentage of their body weight in food because they are growing fast. But raw feeding for puppies also requires more care around calcium and phosphorus balance than adult feeding does.

The percentages in the table above are a guide, but I always recommend a consultation before starting a puppy on raw, particularly for large breeds where skeletal development is an important consideration. Getting the foundation right from the start saves a lot of problems later.

If your puppy is under four months old or is a large or giant breed, please book a free consultation before starting. It takes 30 minutes and I can build a plan specifically for them.

These Numbers Are a Starting Point, Not a Fixed Rule

Every dog has a slightly different metabolism, activity pattern, and digestive response to raw food. The formula gives you a sensible place to begin. After that, you adjust based on what you see.

This is also why I offer a free 30-minute consultation for anyone starting their dog on raw. In that call I look at your dog specifically, their current weight, age, breed tendencies, and any health considerations, and I give you a portion plan built around them rather than a generic percentage.

If you are ready to start, or just want to talk through whether raw is the right fit for your dog, you can book that call below. It is free, it is practical, and it takes about half an hour.

Book a free 30-minute consultation with Kizzy