One of the most common questions from new raw feeders is: how much should I actually feed my dog? The good news is that calculating raw food portions is straightforward once you know the basics. This guide covers adult dogs, puppies, and how to adjust for your dog's individual needs.
The Simple Raw Feeding Formula
For adult dogs, the standard starting point is 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day. Use the lower end (2%) for less active or older dogs, and the higher end (3%) for active, working, or younger adult dogs.
Example: A 20kg adult dog needs approximately 400–600g of raw food per day.
Adult Dog Feeding Guide
| Dog Weight | Daily Portion (2%) | Daily Portion (3%) |
|---|---|---|
| 5kg | 100g | 150g |
| 10kg | 200g | 300g |
| 15kg | 300g | 450g |
| 20kg | 400g | 600g |
| 25kg | 500g | 750g |
| 30kg | 600g | 900g |
| 40kg | 800g | 1,200g |
Our 500g chubs make portioning simple — one chub per day is ideal for most medium-sized dogs.
Puppy Feeding Guide
Puppies have higher energy and nutritional demands than adult dogs, so they need a larger percentage of their body weight in food. Use the following as a starting guide:
- 8–12 weeks: 8–10% of body weight per day, split across 4 meals
- 3–6 months: 6–8% of body weight per day, split across 3–4 meals
- 6–12 months: 4–6% of body weight per day, split across 2–3 meals
- 12 months+: Transition to adult feeding guidelines (2–3%)
Always use a puppy-appropriate raw mix with the correct bone-to-meat ratio to support healthy growth.
How to Adjust Portions
Every dog is different. Use stool quality and body condition as your guide:
- Stools too loose? Reduce the portion slightly or check bone content in the mix
- Stools too hard or chalky? Slightly reduce bone content or increase muscle meat
- Dog losing weight? Increase daily portion by 10–20%
- Dog gaining too much weight? Reduce daily portion by 10–20% and increase exercise
You should be able to feel but not see your dog's ribs. If you can see them clearly, they need more food. If you can't feel them at all, they may be carrying too much weight.
How Often Should I Feed?
Most adult dogs do well on one or two meals per day. Splitting the daily portion into two meals can help with digestion, especially for larger breeds or dogs prone to bloat. Puppies should be fed more frequently — 3–4 times per day until 6 months old.
Easy Portioning with Paw Shack
Our frozen raw dog food comes in convenient 500g chubs, making it easy to portion accurately. Simply defrost the required number of chubs in the fridge overnight and serve. No mess, no guesswork.
Browse our frozen raw dog food range →
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I feed by ideal weight or current weight?
Always feed based on your dog's ideal body weight, not their current weight. If your dog is overweight, feeding 2–3% of their actual weight will maintain the excess. Use their target healthy weight instead.
Do I need to weigh every meal?
In the beginning, yes — it helps you get a feel for the right portion size. Once you're familiar with how much your dog needs, you can estimate more easily.
Can I feed once a day?
Yes, once-a-day feeding works well for most adult dogs. Twice daily is generally better for puppies, large breeds, and dogs with sensitive stomachs.