Raw Feeding Made Easy: Use Our Raw Dog Food Calculator for Perfect Portions

Feeding your dog a raw diet can feel like the healthiest, most natural choice you can make. But once you’ve stocked up on high-quality meat, bones, and organs, the big question hits: how much should you actually feed? Overfeeding leads to weight gain and health problems. Underfeeding leaves your dog hungry and undernourished. That’s where our raw dog food calculator comes in. It takes the guesswork out of portion sizes, giving you clear, tailored recommendations for your dog’s unique needs.

Why Portion Control Matters in Raw Feeding

No two dogs are the same. A 25kg Labrador doesn’t need the same portions as a 25kg Greyhound, even though they weigh the same. Breed, metabolism, age, and lifestyle all play a role. Puppies burn energy faster than seniors. Working dogs need more calories than couch potatoes. Portion control is what keeps their diet in line with their body’s demands.

Health effects of incorrect portions

Feeding the wrong amounts can cause long-term problems:

• Too much food – leads to obesity, joint stress, diabetes, and shortened lifespan.
• Too little food – results in nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, lethargy, and poor coat quality.

Unlike kibble, raw feeding doesn’t come with instructions printed on the bag. You’re in charge of striking the right balance, which is why tools like a calculator are so valuable.

Manual calculations can be confusing

In theory, portioning raw food is simple: dogs typically need 2-3% of their body weight daily. However, when you factor in growth stages, activity levels, and weight goals, things get complicated. For example:

• A growing puppy may need 5-8% of its body weight.
• A sedentary senior might only need 1.5-2%.

Doing these sums every time, adjusting for life stages, and remembering to re-calculate as your dog’s weight changes is a lot to keep up with, especially if you already have a busy schedule.

Introducing the Raw Food Calculator

At Northampton Raw Dog Food, our raw dog food calculator takes all the maths off your plate. Instead of guessing, you get a tailored portion recommendation based on your dog’s details.

Inputs required

The calculator only needs a few pieces of information:

• Your dog’s weight
• Life stage (puppy, adult, senior)
• Activity level (low, moderate, high)
• Body condition (underweight, ideal, overweight)

The output you get

In seconds, you’ll see:

• The recommended daily portion size (in grams or kilograms)
• Guidance on whether to increase or decrease food amounts
• A starting point you can fine-tune as you monitor your dog’s condition

Think of it as a personalised feeding plan that updates as your dog changes.

How to Use the Calculator

To ensure accurate results when using the calculator, consider the following pointers:

1. Weigh your dog accurately

The calculator is only as good as the numbers you put in. Weigh your dog regularly. You can do it at home with bathroom scales (hold your dog, then subtract your own weight) or at the vet.

2. Choose the right life stage

As we have mentioned earlier, a 4-month-old puppy and a 7-year-old adult dog have totally different calorie needs. Be sure to select the correct stage:

• Puppy – rapid growth, needs more calories per kilogram of weight.
• Adult – stable maintenance needs.
• Senior – slower metabolism, often lower calorie requirements.

3. Adjust for activity and body condition

Is your dog a sofa surfer or a daily hiking partner? The calculator accounts for that. You’ll also need to enter their body condition, whether they’re lean, ideal, or carrying extra weight, so the recommendation leans towards weight gain, loss, or maintenance as needed.

4. View and apply the suggested daily portion

Once you have the result, portion out your dog’s daily food accordingly. You can split it into two meals (morning and evening). Alternatively, you can feed your dog once a day, depending on what suits your routine and your pet’s digestion.

Extra Tips for Feeding the Right Amount

Even with a raw dog food calculator doing the heavy lifting, feeding the right amount isn’t a one-and-done process. Dogs’ needs change as they grow, age, or shift activity levels.

1. Monitor your dog’s weight every two weeks

Think of portion control as a moving target rather than a fixed rule. Weighing your dog every couple of weeks gives you hard data to check whether the calculator’s recommendation is working. If your dog is gaining too quickly or slimming down too much, adjust portions up or down by 5–10% and check again at the next weigh-in.

2. Adjust seasonally for activity levels

Dogs burn different amounts of energy depending on the time of year. A spaniel that runs for miles in the summer might spend more time curled up by the fire in the winter. Seasonal adjustments (reducing portions slightly in the colder months or increasing them when activity ramps up) help keep your dog’s weight steady all year round.

3. Keep a feeding log or use a digital tracker

It’s easy to lose track of how much food your dog has had, especially if multiple family members share feeding duties. A simple logbook or a digital tracker can make a big difference. Record daily portions, weight changes, and notes on appetite or stool quality. Over time, this becomes a valuable reference for spotting patterns and making informed adjustments.

4. Don’t forget to account for treats and extras

Many owners underestimate how many calories come from treats, chews, or table scraps. If you’re training with high-value treats or giving dental chews daily, those extras can add up to 10–20% of your dog’s total calorie intake. To keep things balanced, shave a little off their main meals to compensate, ensuring they don’t gain weight without you realising.

5. Prioritise hydration

Raw feeding provides more moisture than dry kibble, but dogs still need access to fresh water at all times. Hydration is crucial for digestion, joint health, and temperature regulation. Make sure your dog’s bowl is always topped up, and if they’re very active or it’s hot weather, encourage them to drink more to stay balanced.

Make Raw Feeding Easy with Our Dog Food Calculator

Raw feeding doesn’t have to be complicated, but portion control is key to making it work. Instead of guessing, let our dog food calculator give you precise guidance. By tailoring meals to your dog’s weight, age, activity, and condition, you’ll keep them at a healthy size, brimming with energy, and looking their best.

At Northampton Raw Dog Food, we’re a trusted family-run supplier of high-quality raw meals and natural treats, shipping across the UK. If you’re new to raw feeding and not sure where to begin, we’re always happy to share practical advice to get you started with confidence. Get in touch today and give your pet the best with wholesome raw nutrition, backed by a team that cares about their health as much as you do.