Dog Raw Diet Daily Feeding Calculator
Puppy (under 1 year)
Adult (1-7 years)
Senior (over 7 years)
Low (couch potato)
Moderate (daily walks)
High (active, working, or sporting dog)
Normal/Healthy
Overweight
Underweight
Pregnant/Nursing
Estimated Daily Feeding Amount:
grams
This is an estimate. Adjust based on your dog's individual needs and veterinary advice.
Understanding Dog Raw Diet Feeding
Transitioning your dog to a raw diet can offer numerous health benefits, including improved digestion, healthier skin and coat, cleaner teeth, and increased energy levels. However, accurately calculating the right amount of food is crucial to ensure your dog receives adequate nutrition without over or underfeeding. This calculator provides an estimated daily feeding amount based on common raw feeding guidelines.
How the Calculation Works:
The fundamental principle behind raw feeding is often based on a percentage of the dog's ideal body weight. However, several factors influence the exact amount needed:
- Body Weight: This is the primary factor. Larger dogs require more food, but the percentage of body weight decreases slightly as dogs get larger.
- Age: Puppies are growing rapidly and need a higher percentage of food than adult dogs. Senior dogs may have different metabolic needs.
- Activity Level: Highly active dogs burn more calories and require a larger food intake than sedentary dogs.
- Health Status: Dogs that are overweight may need a reduced amount to aid weight loss, while underweight dogs might require more. Pregnant or nursing dogs have significantly higher nutritional demands.
Our calculator uses a baseline percentage of the dog's weight and then adjusts it based on the selected age, activity level, and health status. A typical starting point for adult dogs is 2-3% of their body weight. Puppies may require up to 5-10% (divided into multiple meals), and seniors or less active dogs might be closer to 1.5-2%.
General Percentage Guidelines (as a starting point):
- Adult, Normal Health, Moderate Activity: 2% of body weight
- Puppy (growing): Can range from 5-10% of ideal adult weight, adjusted for current growth, fed in multiple meals.
- Senior/Less Active: 1.5% of body weight
- Very Active/Working Dog: 3-4% of body weight
- Overweight Dog: Start at 1.5-2% of *ideal* body weight.
- Underweight Dog: Start at 2.5-3% of *ideal* body weight.
- Pregnant/Nursing: Increase adult levels by 1.5-2x, depending on stage.
The results from this calculator are recommendations. It is essential to monitor your dog's body condition (using a hands-on approach to feel ribs, waist, and tuck) and adjust their food intake accordingly. Always consult with a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist experienced in raw feeding when making significant dietary changes.
Estimated Daily Feeding Amount:
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