How much raw food does a dog need? The amount most often cited in raw-feeding guidance is about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult dog, and about 2 to 4 percent for an adult cat — with young animals needing more, up to 8 to 10 percent of body weight a day for a very young puppy. This guide is the raw dog food calculator in words: the percentages, the worked examples, and the risks — because raw feeding is not a veterinary standard, and a raw diet that is not balanced can do harm. Every figure is a guide from raw-feeding sources, not a veterinary prescription: if you feed raw, work with a vet or a vet nutritionist. The raw dog food calculator works out the daily amount for your dog's weight and stage.
The short version is: start with about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult dog, adjust by the scales and by feel, and make sure the diet is balanced — because raw meat alone is not a complete diet. A dog that is fed raw meat without bone, offal, and the right vitamins and minerals will develop deficiencies, and a dog that is fed raw food that is not handled safely can pick up bacteria. The dog food calculator guide gives the calorie method for a complete commercial diet, and the dog calorie calculator guide gives the calorie tables by weight.
The raw dog food calculator: percentages
The percentages most often cited in raw-feeding guidance are: about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult dog, about 2 to 4 percent for an adult cat, and more for young animals — a puppy may need 4 to 6 percent, and a very young puppy up to 8 to 10 percent of body weight a day, because it is growing fast. A senior dog usually needs less, about 2 percent, because it moves less. A very active dog may need more, up to 3 or 4 percent.
Those percentages are a starting point, not a rule: a dog that is gaining weight on 2 percent needs less, and a dog that is losing weight on 3 percent needs more. Weigh your dog every month, feel its ribs and waist, and keep it at a body condition score of 4 or 5 out of 9. The is my dog overweight calculator guide helps you check your own dog's condition, and the dog body condition score chart gives the 9-point scale in full.
Worked examples
A 10 kg adult dog at 2.5 percent needs about 250 g of raw food a day. A 25 kg adult dog at 2.5 percent needs about 625 g a day. A 5 kg adult dog at 2.5 percent needs about 125 g a day. A 20 kg adult dog at 2 percent needs about 400 g a day, and at 3 percent about 600 g a day.
To work out your own dog's amount, weigh it, multiply its weight in grams by the percentage, and split the result into meals: a puppy needs three to four meals a day until about six months, then two meals a day, and an adult dog needs one to two meals a day. A 10 kg dog that needs 250 g a day and has two meals a day gets about 125 g per meal. The raw dog food calculator works out the exact figure for any weight and stage.
What a balanced raw diet needs
Raw meat alone is not a complete diet: a dog that is fed raw meat without bone, offal, and the right vitamins and minerals will develop deficiencies — most often calcium, because meat is low in calcium and high in phosphorus, and a diet without bone will leave a dog short of calcium. A balanced raw diet needs muscle meat, raw meaty bones, offal including liver, and a source of vitamins and minerals — and the proportions matter: too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity, and too much bone can cause constipation.
The safest way to feed raw is to use a complete raw food that is made to a nutritional standard, or to work with a vet nutritionist who can formulate a diet for your individual dog. Do not guess: a raw diet that is not balanced can do harm, especially to a growing puppy, a pregnant or nursing dog, or a senior dog. The dog food calculator guide gives the calorie method for a complete commercial diet, and the senior dog diet guide covers feeding in the senior years.
The risks of raw feeding
Raw food can carry bacteria, including Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can make a dog ill and which can be passed to people — especially children, older people, and anyone with a weak immune system. Handle raw food safely: keep it frozen until you need it, defrost it in the fridge, wash your hands and any surfaces and bowls after handling it, and do not leave raw food out for hours. A dog that is fed raw food should not lick faces, and its bowl should be washed every day.
Raw bones can also be a risk: a bone that is too small can be swallowed whole and cause a blockage, and a cooked bone can splinter and cause damage. Raw meaty bones are safer than cooked bones, but they still need to be the right size for the dog, and the dog should be watched while it eats them. A dog that is ill, very young, very old, or has a weak immune system should not be fed raw food. The feeding a pregnant dog guide covers feeding in pregnancy, and the feeding a nursing dog guide covers feeding while nursing.
Raw or cooked: what vets say
Most vets do not recommend raw feeding, because of the risks of bacteria and of an unbalanced diet, and because a complete commercial diet is safer and easier to get right. Some owners feed raw and their dogs do well on it — but those owners usually work with a vet nutritionist, use a complete raw food, and handle the food safely. A raw diet that is not balanced, or that is not handled safely, can do harm, and the harm may not be obvious until it is serious.
If you do feed raw, work with a vet or a vet nutritionist, use a complete raw food or a formulated diet, handle the food safely, and take your dog to the vet once a year as an adult and twice a year as a senior. Weigh your dog every month, and adjust the amount by a tenth at a time. The how many calories should a dog eat per day guide gives the calorie tables by weight, and the dog food portion calculator guide gives the portion sizes in cups and grams.
For related reading, see the raw dog food calculator, the dog food calculator guide, the dog calorie calculator guide, the is my dog overweight calculator guide, the dog food portion calculator guide, the feeding a pregnant dog guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much raw food does a dog need?
The amount most often cited in raw-feeding guidance is about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult dog, with young animals needing more — up to 8 to 10 percent of body weight a day for a very young puppy. A 10 kg adult dog at 2.5 percent needs about 250 g a day. Those are guides from raw-feeding sources, not a veterinary prescription.
Is raw meat alone a complete diet?
No — raw meat alone is not a complete diet. A dog that is fed raw meat without bone, offal, and the right vitamins and minerals will develop deficiencies, most often calcium, because meat is low in calcium and high in phosphorus. A balanced raw diet needs muscle meat, raw meaty bones, offal including liver, and a source of vitamins and minerals.
What are the risks of raw feeding?
Raw food can carry bacteria, including Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can make a dog ill and which can be passed to people. Raw bones can also be a risk: a bone that is too small can be swallowed whole and cause a blockage. Handle raw food safely, wash your hands and bowls, and do not leave raw food out for hours.
Do vets recommend raw feeding?
Most vets do not recommend raw feeding, because of the risks of bacteria and of an unbalanced diet, and because a complete commercial diet is safer and easier to get right. If you do feed raw, work with a vet or a vet nutritionist, use a complete raw food or a formulated diet, and handle the food safely.
How much raw food should a puppy eat?
Young animals need more than adults: a puppy may need 4 to 6 percent of body weight a day, and a very young puppy up to 8 to 10 percent, because it is growing fast. A raw diet that is not balanced can do harm, especially to a growing young animal — work with a vet nutritionist.
When should I ask a vet about raw feeding?
Ask a vet before you start feeding raw, and at each vet visit after that. A vet can work out whether raw feeding is safe for your individual dog, and can advise on a balanced diet. A dog that is ill, very young, very old, or has a weak immune system should not be fed raw food.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.