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Raw Dog Food Feeding Guide
Learn how much raw food your dog needs at every stage of life: puppies, adult dogs, and senior pets.
Feeding your dog the right amount of raw food is essential to their health, energy levels, and overall well-being. Whether you’re feeding a puppy who’s still growing, an active adult dog, or a senior pet with specific dietary needs, understanding the correct portions is crucial. This guide will help you calculate and adjust the raw food portions your dog requires at each life stage, ensuring they thrive on a balanced raw diet.
How to Feed Your Puppy on a Raw Diet
Portion Sizes for Growing Puppies
Puppies require more frequent meals and larger portions relative to their size due to their rapid growth. Feeding your puppy the right amount of raw food is critical to supporting their development. Typically, puppies should consume 4-6% of their current body weight daily, divided into multiple meals to maintain energy levels throughout the day.
For example:
- Smaller breeds: A 5kg puppy may need between 200-300g of raw food daily, spread across 3-4 meals.
- Larger breeds: A 10kg puppy may require up to 600g per day, also divided into multiple meals.
It’s important to regularly adjust the portion sizes as your puppy grows. Use an online raw feeding calculator or consult a veterinarian to ensure you’re giving them the proper nutrients during each stage of development.
Feeding Schedule for Puppies
Puppies have small stomachs and high energy needs, which is why dividing their meals is crucial:
- 8 to 12 weeks: 4 meals per day
- 3 to 6 months: 3 meals per day
- 6 to 12 months: 2 meals per day
After 12 months, most dogs can transition to adult feeding schedules, depending on their breed and growth rate.
How to Feed Adult Dogs on a Raw Diet
Portion Sizes for Active Adult Dogs
Adult dogs, depending on their size and activity level, generally require 2-3% of their ideal body weight per day. Active and working dogs may need closer to 3% of their body weight, while less active or sedentary dogs may need closer to 2% to maintain a healthy weight.
For example:
- Small breeds: A 10kg adult dog would need between 200g and 300g of raw food per day.
- Medium breeds: A 20kg dog would need between 400g and 600g per day.
- Large breeds: A 30kg dog might require up to 900g of raw food daily.
If your dog is particularly active, or if you’re trying to manage their weight, you can adjust these portions slightly. Be sure to monitor their body condition and adjust the amount of food based on visible changes in weight or energy levels.
Feeding Schedule for Adult Dogs
Most adult dogs are fed once or twice a day. For larger or more active dogs, two meals a day may be beneficial to maintain consistent energy levels and prevent overeating in one sitting.
How to Feed Senior Dogs on a Raw Diet
Portion Sizes for Senior Dogs
As dogs age, their metabolism often slows down, and they may become less active. For this reason, senior dogs typically require smaller portions—about 1.5-2% of their ideal body weight daily. However, the focus should be on nutrient-dense meals to support their joint health, digestion, and overall energy.
For example:
- Small senior dogs: A 10kg senior dog may need between 150g and 200g of raw food daily.
- Medium senior dogs: A 20kg senior dog might require between 300g and 400g per day.
- Large senior dogs: A 30kg senior dog could need around 450g to 600g of raw food per day.
Additionally, senior dogs often benefit from supplements such as glucosamine for joint health and probiotics to aid digestion. Consulting your veterinarian about your senior dog’s specific dietary needs can help you make the best adjustments.
Feeding Schedule for Senior Dogs
For senior dogs, it’s generally best to feed them two smaller meals per day, especially if they have digestive or weight management concerns. This helps ensure steady energy levels and better digestion throughout the day.
Additional Considerations for All Life Stages
Raw Diet Composition: The 80/10/10 Rule
To ensure your dog gets the right nutrients from their raw diet, follow the 80/10/10 rule. This balance provides your dog with the correct ratio of meat, bones, and organs:
- 80% muscle meat: This is the primary source of protein.
- 10% bone: Provides essential calcium and phosphorus for bone and dental health.
- 10% organ meats: Rich in vital nutrients like vitamins A, D, and B, as well as iron.
Supplementing Your Dog’s Diet
Depending on your dog’s specific needs, adding supplements like fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids, or joint supplements for aging dogs, can enhance their overall health. Puppies may benefit from calcium supplements to support bone growth, while senior dogs often need glucosamine for joint health.
Mixing Raw Food and Kibble
If you’re transitioning your dog to a raw diet or want to combine kibble and raw food, it’s important to understand how to balance the two. Since raw food and kibble digest at different rates, it’s often best to serve them in separate meals (e.g., raw food in the morning, kibble in the evening). This helps prevent digestive issues.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog the correct amount of raw food tailored to their life stage ensures they stay healthy and happy. Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs all have unique dietary needs, and following this guide will help you provide the optimal nutrition for each stage of life.
Use Our Raw Feeding Guide and Start Your Dog’s Journey to Better Health Today!
Explore our range of raw feeding options and use our feeding calculators to ensure your dog’s diet is just right for their size, age, and needs.
Get In Touch With us
Have questions or need assistance? Our friendly customer service team is here to help. Reach out to us at allrawdogfood@hotmail.com, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
- (613) 935-8246
- allrawdogfood@hotmail.com
- 42-812 Pitt St. Cornwall, ON K6J 3S2
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- (613) 935-8246
- allrawdogfood@hotmail.com
- 42-812 Pitt St. Cornwall, ON K6J 3S2