If you are looking for a general overview of raw feeding and the two main methods, then head over to our Raw Feeding page; as this page is all about raw feeding percentages. Here I will explain how to work out how much you should be feeding your pet each day by looking at their ideal expected body weight.
Let’s get started!
How to work out your pet’s daily food percentage on a raw diet?
A lot of people worry and get stressed out when they are first starting or even considering raw feeding because they aren’t sure how much they need to feed their pet. But the truth is, it is so simple! The basic percentages for feeding your pet be worked out by referring to their ideal expected body weight. Below I have shown my working out for how much we feed Nia, my five-and-a-half-year-old Staffishore Bull Terrier.
- You should feed your pet 2-3% of their ideal expected body weight per day
- Nia’s ideal body weight is about 15/16 kilos
- 1% of 15 kilos is 150 grams x 2 gives a total of 300 grams a day
- 1% of 16 kilos is 160 grams x 3 provides a total of 480 grams a day
Therefore Nia will get between 300 and 480 grams; at the minute, we are currently feeding her about 400 grams a day. The amount we feed Nia may change depending on various factors like how much exercise she has been doing and how lean or plump she is looking.
What is critical about raw feeding is to be observant and don’t get too hooked up on the percentages. You must feed your dog the correct amount; otherwise, they may become underweight or overweight, two serious issues.
My partner and I keep a close eye on how Nia and Lily are looking and adjust accordingly if your pet is looking and feeling a little skinny due to an increase in exercise, then increase their food to 3% of their ideal body weight. Conversely, if your pet has begun to put on weight, maybe due to a decrease in exercise, then decrease their food to 2% of their ideal body weight.
Where to find your pet’s ideal body weight percentage?
Now you are aware of what percentage of the food you should give your pet daily; it is time to find out what your pet’s expected body weight should be, which is another thing pet owners seem to find difficult. But thankfully, it is super easy.
Below is a short list of the different ways you could find out your pet’s ideal body weight:
Search Online
There are many places online you can find out your pet’s ideal expected body weight. If you just search your dog’s breed along with the ideal expected body weight it should come up straight away.
Ask A Veterinarian
You could ask your vet when you take your puppy or dog for a checkup, as they will most likely know how much your pet should be expected to weigh when fully grown. Once you have found out your pet’s ideal expected body weight, then you can start working out how much to feed them per day. So depending on what raw feeding method you go for will depend on how much muscle meat, raw meaty bones, and offal you give your pet.
Still struggling? Get in touch.
If you have searched but still cannot find your pet’s ideal weight, then drop me an email, and I’ll try my best to find out. Simply head over to our Contact page to get in touch.
Raw Feeding Percentages for Prey Model Raw Method
If you want to use the Prey Model Raw (PMR) method, then you will feed your pet:
- 80% Muscle Meat
- 10% Raw Meaty Bones
- 10% Organ Meat (5% of this must consist of liver!)
These are the percentages that a PMR feeder would give their pet following the Prey Model Raw method.
Raw Feeding Percentages for the BARF Method
If you are a raw feeder or someone wanting to start their pet on a raw diet and want to follow the BARF method, then the percentages are a little different than the PMR method. The difference between the two methods is that PMR feeders do not think it appropriate to feed their pets vegetable matter or any carbohydrates, therefor they feed a strict carnivore diet.
Percentages for the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) method are:
- 70% Muscle Meat
- 10% Raw Meaty Bones
- 10% Organ (5% of this must consist of the liver)
- 10% Fruit, Veg or Dairy (Such as Kefir, Goats Milk or other appropriate dairy sources but not cows products)
If you choose to feed the BARF method and do not want to give your pet fruit, veg or dairy regularly in their meals, then just follow the percentages for Prey Model Raw (PMR) and add veg, fruit or dairy in when you feel like it.
Feeding Percentages: Puppies
Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels.com
Feeding percentages are a little different for a puppy, as they require more meals per day and extra nutrients to ensure they have everything they need to grow into a healthy and robust canine companion.
If you do an internet search, you will find a wide array of percentages out there, but I have used those from Honey’s Natural Feeding Handbook for Dogs by Jonathan Self. If you’d like to learn more about this wonderful little book which has been invaluable for me when first starting raw feeding but also now, then click on the hyperlink above.
If you are new to raw feeding or considering starting your pet on a raw diet, then I suggest purchasing a copy, as it is a short yet super helpful book. In terms of the volume of food, there is no hard-and-fast rule, but, generally speaking, you should follow these guidelines:
- 0-4 months: 8%
- 4-6 months: 6-8%
- 6-9 months 4%
- 9-12 months: 3%
- >12 months: 2%
The percentage refers to the weight of the food to be fed per day in relation to the body weight of the puppy. The transition should be gradual, not sudden. So the day a puppy turns six months, you don’t suddenly drop the food from 8% to 4%, and in the case of smaller breeds, you need to up the quantity by half as much again. (Self, J. 2012 Honey’s Natural feeding handbook, second edition, page 88)
Remember that puppies must consume more meals a day than an adult dog, give your puppy three meals a day and always supervise when feeding.
Feeding a balanced diet is vital to all dogs, but especially puppies, as they require a variety of nutrients to ensure healthy bone development and that they grow into a healthy and robust dog.
Dogs have ten essential amino acids that their body cannot manufacture themselves; therefore, they must acquire them from their diet, so it is essential you are feeding them the correct amount.
Join The Pack
I hope this page has helped you work out how much you should be feeding your pet as well as where to find their ideal expected body weight. If you have any further questions, just drop me a message by heading over to our Contact page.
epoch.pet 