How Much Raw Food to Feed a Dog — Exact Portions in Grams & Cups
- Author
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Get a calculator-first answer you can use tonight—puppy vs. adult adjustments, a quick daily/monthly cost view, and simple 80/10/10 + safety steps for Ottawa–Orléans dog parents.
Why you’re here
You typed “how much raw food to feed a dog” (or “how much raw food to feed a dog per pound”) because you want a clear number you can use tonight—not a maze of charts. Raw Fed & Furry gives you the full picture in one place: a fast way to get exact portions, how the math works, what changes for puppies vs. adults, a budget snapshot, and how to keep meals balanced and safe.
At Raw Fed & Furry, we keep it practical: calculate, sanity-check, convert to grams/cups, then build a cart sized to your week or month. If anything feels fuzzy, a real person in Orléans can review your plan and line it up with pickup or delivery across Ottawa–Cornwall.
Quick answer: your starting portion
Most adult dogs do well starting at 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day. That’s the plain-English version of what you’ll see in our Raw Food Diet for Dogs Calculator.
Per-pound view:
2% ≈ 0.32 oz per lb of ideal body weight per day
2.5% ≈ 0.40 oz per lb
3% ≈ 0.48 oz per lb
Example: A 50 lb adult at 2.5% → 20 oz/day (≈ 567 g/day), usually split into two meals.
Use this tool as a starting point, then adjust by what you see: energy, stool, coat/skin, and body shape. Our calculator builds that gentle tweak range right into the result so you’re never guessing.
How the calculator works (without the jargon)
You enter weight, age, activity, and goals. Pounds or kilos—either is fine.
We do the math in grams. That keeps rounding tight and scooping consistent.
Activity is a nudge, not a rule. Modest multipliers help, but your dog confirms the choice.
Built-in fine-tune. The result includes a tweak range so you can move up or down responsibly.
Clear conversions. We show grams and an estimated cups view for the product you’re buying.
Edge cases flagged. GI history, medications, pregnancy/lactation, or medical weight plans? We’ll prompt a quick chat with us or your vet before you lock portions.
Puppy vs. adult: what changes and when
Puppies are growing, so the math shifts. Here’s a simple, real-life plan that maps to our calculator outputs.
Puppies (0–6 months)
Start around 5–8% of current body weight per day, split into 3–4 meals.
Recalculate every 2–3 weeks as weight changes.
Watch stool and energy; adjust within the calculator’s tweak range.
Adolescents (6–12+ months)
Shift toward 3–4% of current weight, usually 2–3 meals.
Around adult size and activity, ease toward the adult range (2–3%).
Adults (fully grown)
2–3% of ideal body weight per day, split into 2 meals.
Seasonal/activity changes? Use the range to bump up a touch in winter hikes or dial back during couch seasons.
Tip: Don’t chase the scale every day. Evaluate body condition weekly: ribs with a light fat cover, a visible waist from above, and a tuck from the side.
Converting to grams and cups (so scooping is repeatable)
For buying and prepping, grams are the gold standard. They’re precise and don’t drift when formulas or textures change. That’s why our calculator gives grams first and then estimates cups using the specific product’s density.
Why cups vary: A cup of complete raw doesn’t weigh the same as a cup of single-protein grind or dehydrated—texture and moisture matter.
Your best move: Use the grams to portion with a small kitchen scale at first; once you see what that looks like in your bowl, the cup estimate becomes a quick visual check.
What “balanced” looks like (and how to keep it simple)
Balanced raw isn’t complicated when you know the structure. The classic guideline is 80/10/10:
80% muscle meat
10% bone
10% organ (with 5% liver and 5% other secreting organ)
You can build that from individual components or choose complete meals that already follow the ratio. For sensitive dogs, single-protein options (e.g., turkey-only) can keep things steady.
Why this matters for the math: A balanced base makes portion tweaks predictable. If the bowl changes wildly from day to day, you’ll chase symptoms instead of seeing clear cause → effect.
Shop Complete Raw Meals (balanced) • Shop Single-Protein Options
Safety and handling: the quiet habits that make raw stress-free
Thaw in the fridge on a tray; keep below 4°C/40°F.
Use clean utensils and wash hands/surfaces after prep.
Store portions in sealed containers; label with the date.
Serve in stainless or food-safe bowls; wash after each meal.
Introduce new proteins gradually (3–5 days) and watch stool/skin.
If your dog has a medical history (GI issues, pancreatitis risk), is on medication, or is pregnant/nursing, message us first. We’ll point you to conservative starting amounts and vet-aligned pacing.
Budget snapshot: what it might cost per day and month
You shouldn’t have to build a spreadsheet to feed your dog. After you run the Raw Food Diet for Dogs Calculator, you can toggle a simple budget view. It pulls from current pricing to show:
Daily estimate based on the gram output and the product(s) you select
Monthly estimate sized to a 30-day plan
Ways to buy smarter (e.g., subscription, multi-pack savings, or choosing a single-protein base with strategic toppers)
Local convenience that removes mental load
Feeding well should fit your week, not the other way around. We support the Ottawa region with two easy paths:
Pickup in Orléans. Swing by when it works for you.
Delivery across Ottawa–Cornwall. Choose a route that matches your schedule; we’ll keep the order cold and on-time.
Need to adjust an order after your calculator result changes? No problem—we can right-size quantities before your next fulfillment so your freezer and budget stay happy.
A quick walkthrough (so you can feed tonight)
Open the calculator. Enter weight, age, activity, and any goal notes (lean up, build muscle, maintain).
Review the output. You’ll see grams, an estimated cups view, and a tweak range.
Pick your path. Choose complete meals (easiest) or single-protein (great for sensitivities).
Look at the budget tile. Glance at daily/monthly costs; toggle sizes if needed.
Build your cart. Add the portions for one week or one month—your call.
Schedule pickup or delivery. Orléans pickup or routes across Ottawa–Cornwall.
Feed and observe. After 7–10 days, decide if you stay, nudge up, or nudge down within the calculator’s range.
FAQs (fast, practical answers)
How much raw food should I feed per pound?
Use the per-pound view above to choose a starting point. Many families pick 2.5% for normal activity, which equals 0.40 oz per lb of ideal weight per day. Our calculator turns that into grams and cups for the exact product you plan to buy.
How often should I feed?
Adults: Typically two meals a day.
Puppies: Three to four smaller meals while growth is rapid. Consistency helps digestion and makes portion checks easier.
What if my dog seems hungry on 2%?
Appetite isn’t the only signal. Check body condition and stool quality. If energy is low and ribs are too prominent, nudge toward 2.5–3%. Use the built-in tweak range before making big jumps.
Can I mix raw with kibble?
Some families do, especially during transitions. If you mix, keep meals separate (e.g., raw in the morning, kibble in the evening) and watch stool and gas as you dial in amounts.
What about bones?
Follow product guidance. Raw meaty bones are part of many balanced plans, but choose sizes appropriate to your dog and supervise. If you’re unsure, ask us and we’ll recommend safe options by size and experience.
Why local matters for this keyword
When you search “how much raw food to feed a dog (per pound)”, you’re not asking for a theory—you’re asking for numbers and a plan. We built the Raw Food Diet for Dogs Calculator for that exact moment, and we back it with Ottawa-area logistics so you can actually follow the plan: pickup in Orléans, routes across Ottawa–Cornwall, and human help when you need it.
Education first (clear math, no fluff)
Balanced choices (complete meals or single-protein)
Budget clarity (daily/monthly tiles)
Frictionless fulfillment (pickup or delivery that matches your week)
Recommended products and paths (based on common goals)
“I want the simplest start.” Choose Complete Raw Meals that follow 80/10/10; use the calculator portion as-is.
“My dog has a sensitive stomach.” Start with single-protein options (e.g., turkey or beef) and hold steady for 10–14 days before rotating.
“I’m value-minded.” Use complete meals for most feedings and add bulk single-protein for cost-efficient variety.
“I want a portion once a week.” Buy the weekly total, thaw in the fridge, and portion into daily containers on Sunday; freeze extras and pull as needed.
What to watch in the first two weeks
Stool: From day 3–5 you should see a steady texture; too loose → nudge up bone or portion; too firm/chalky → dial bone down.
Skin/coat: Dull coat often brightens with stable fat intake and a consistent protein base.
Energy: A calm, steady energy curve usually means you’re close to the right portion.
Body condition: Check weekly; small, steady changes beat big swings.
Local help when you need it
Prefer a real conversation? We’re here.
Raw Fed & Furry
Store hours: Wed–Fri 12–6pm, Sat–Sun 12–4pm
Pickup: Orléans
Delivery: Ottawa → Cornwall (check weekly routes)
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