How much dry food should a kg dog eat?

As a general rule, dogs should eat approximately 2-5% of their body weight in raw daily food. This will vary depending on the dog’s energy and activity levels.

• If your pet is overweight and needs to lose a few extra kilos, feed them closer to 2% of their body weight and give them more exercise.
• For the average activity level, 3% per day is generally fine.
• If your pet is underweight, or has high activity levels, closer to 4% should be fed.
• Very highly active dogs, like working dogs will need up to 5% of body weight per day.

Are You New To Feeding A Raw & Fresh Diet?

Read more about the benefits of raw feeding, for a longer, happier, healthier life on our home page. The link above will open on a new page, so you won't lose your place in this article.

How Active Is My Dog?

Activity levels can be described as follows:

• Sedentary (2%): Very little activity. Mostly indoors. A dog should typically only have this low of an activity level if it's elderly, injured, or unwell.
• Average (3%): 30-60 minutes of normal walking per day and moderate play.
• High (4%): A 60-minute walk per day, with energetic play.
• Working (5%): Farm dogs, cattle, and sheep herding dogs. Obstacle course show dogs. Police dogs, etc.

How Many Times Per Day?

We recommend feeding your dog their required daily amount, divided over 2 meals per day as this is better for their digestion (and helps to avoid bloat in larger breeds. A dog lick mat can also be a great tool to help slow your dog's eating pace and aid digestion). Feeding twice can also prevent begging between meals. If feeding twice isn't possible due to schedules, once per day is also fine in most cases.

The below table has some suggested amounts to feed with our complete & balanced AAFCO recipes, with some rounding to match our available pre-pack sizes. Note that you can switch between standard recipes and leaner recipes to suit your dog as you observe their bodies over time.

Try out our raw feeding calculator to make the calculations easier.

What Should I Feed My Dog?

Our AAFCO-standard Complete Beef recipe gives the most complete and balanced diet out of the packet for those getting started.

For weight loss or just for variety, you can try our leaner Roo Complete recipe.

We also have a variety of base recipes formulated on BARF (Biologically Available Raw Food) principles: 

• Raw Basics: For those on elimination diets, or who prefer to add their vegetables and supplements themselves.
• Raw Essentials: More balanced recipes with vegetable content, to form the basis of a BARF meal plan.

What Food Do I Feed A Puppy?

Puppies are a special case and we have a puppy feeding chart, with detailed information about what to feed and how much.

What Bones And Treats Should I Feed?

For most dogs, a good bone will help clean their teeth and give an essential calcium boost. Make sure you supervise your dog while chewing bones and feed an appropriate bone size. A good rule is a bone is at least the size of its head. Greedy chewers need extra attention to prevent a choking hazard.

We have plenty of raw meaty bones to browse in our bones and treats section. Timeless favourites include kangaroo bones and lamb bones for dogs 

Where Can I Find Your Catalogue?

You can browse our entire raw dog food catalogue here and by using the main menu at the top of this page.

Got More Questions? Contact Us

Reach out to us via our contact page, which also includes some handy links to frequently asked questions and delivery information.

If you have any questions that aren't answered on our website, feel free to open a live chat below and we'd be glad to help!

One of the best ways to keep dogs healthy is to feed them the right amount of a high-quality dog food. Feeding your dog too much or not enough can have certain health consequences.

Here’s why it matters and what you can do to determine how much to feed your dog.

Why the Right Dog Food Amount Matters 

If you feed your dog too little, they can suffer from nutritional deficiencies.

However, If you feed your dog too much, it will eventually result in obesity and its related health issues, like:

• Musculoskeletal problems like osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament ruptures, and intervertebral disk disease

• Congestive heart failure

• Labored breathing

• Cushing’s disease

• Skin disorders

• Some types of cancer

• Shortened life span

• Reduced quality of life

Giving your dog the right amount of quality dog food can help support your pet’s overall health and keep them feeling their best.

How to Find the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your Dog

You need to account for several factors when determining exactly how much your dog should be eating.

Consider the Important Factors

The correct meal size depends on factors like:

• Type of food

• Number of meals

• Body weight

• Metabolic rate

• Amount of exercise

Look at the Feeding Guide on the Bag

To start the process, take a look at the feeding guide on your dog food’s label. They are usually presented as a table that looks something like this:

Unless stated otherwise, these amounts give you the total that is recommended for your dog over a 24-hour period.

Most adult dogs should eat two meals a day, and puppies often require three or more feedings, so you’ll need to divide the amount in the table by the number of meals you are offering.

Take Your Dog’s Lifestyle Into Account

Combine this information with your knowledge of your dog’s lifestyle to come up with the initial amount of food to offer your dog.

For example, if I had a relatively inactive 35-pound Corgi who had a tendency to gain weight, I might start with a little less food than the table recommends. On the other hand, if my dog was a 35-pound Border Collie who never sits still, I would feed a little more.

Consider Using a Calorie Calculator

Another option is to try using a calorie calculator for dogs, but keep in mind that while these often spit out a precise number, your dog’s actual needs may be as much as 25% more or less.

Determine Your Dog’s Body Condition Score

Whichever method you pick, you’ll have to use a scale or body condition scoring system to fine-tune the amount of food you offer.

Your veterinarian can help you decipher your dog’s body condition score (BCS) and determine an appropriate calorie amount.

In general, dogs who are at a healthy weight:

• Have an “hourglass” figure when you look down on them from above. The abdomen should be narrower than the chest and hips.

• Are “tucked up” when you look at them from the side. This means that their chest is closer to the ground than their belly when standing.

• Have ribs that are not readily visible but are easily felt with only light pressure.

Keep a Record of Your Dog’s Weight Change

Check your dog’s weight every 2-4 weeks and keep a diary of your results. If your dog is inappropriately gaining or losing weight, adjust your portion sizes appropriately. Make sure to discuss these changes with your veterinarian so they can ensure that there are no underlying conditions.

Reassess the Portion Size if You Switch Foods

Every time you change dog food formulas, you will have to go through this entire process again, because the number of calories in the food will be different.

Always Talk With Your Veterinarian

Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your dog’s health or diet. They can help you determine exactly how much food to offer based on the specifics of your dog’s case.

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