Raw Diet for Dogs: How Much Food? (Beginners Tips)

Okay, so I've been messing around with feeding my dogs a raw diet, and figuring out the "how much" part was a real head-scratcher at first. I started by digging around online, reading articles, and watching videos. Found a bunch of different opinions, which was kinda overwhelming.

My first step was figuring out my dogs' weight. I have two – a 60-pound Lab mix named Max and a little 20-pound terrier, Daisy. Pretty big difference!

Next, I played around with some percentages I found online. Most folks recommended starting with around 2-3% of their body weight in raw food per day. So, for Max, that meant:

• 60 pounds x 0.02 (2%) = 1.2 pounds
• 60 pounds x 0.03 (3%) = 1.8 pounds

And for Daisy:

• 20 pounds x 0.02 (2%) = 0.4 pounds
• 20 pounds x 0.03 (3%) = 0.6 pounds

Starting Slow and Watching Closely

I decided to start on the lower end, around 2%. I didn't want to shock their systems. I prepped their meals, which was a bit messy at first (lots of chopping and grinding!), and gave them their first raw dinner. They LOVED it. No surprise there!

Over the next few weeks, I kept a super close eye on them. I was checking their, uh, "output" (yep, their poop) to make sure it looked healthy – not too loose, not too hard. I also paid attention to their energy levels and their weight.

Adjusting the Portions

After a couple of weeks, Max seemed a little hungry still, so I bumped his portion up closer to the 2.5% mark. Daisy, on the other hand, was doing great on the 2%, so I kept her there. I learned that it's not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. Each dog is different.

I also started incorporating some variety. I didn't want them to get bored, and I read that variety is important for getting all the nutrients they need. So I switched up the proteins – chicken one week, beef the next, maybe some fish thrown in. And I made sure to include some organ meat and bones, too.

It's been a few months now, and I'm feeling way more confident. I'm still learning, of course, but both dogs are thriving. Their coats are shinier, they have tons of energy, and their poops are... well, let's just say they're "ideal." It definitely takes some effort, but seeing them so healthy and happy makes it totally worth it. I keep tracking their weights and adjust their portion sizes, they are great!