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Raw dog food calculator
Work out how much raw food your dog needs a day. The most accurate way is by calories, using the kcal figure on your food's label; the calculator also shows the common 2–3% of body weight rule for comparison.
Daily amount, per meal, and the 2–3% rule for comparison.
A starting point. Weigh your dog every 2–4 weeks and adjust. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
How much raw food should a dog eat?
Raw-food makers usually say adult dogs should eat about 2–3% of their ideal body weight a day: around 2% for less active or overweight dogs, 2.5% for an average dog and 3% for very active dogs. For a 50 lb dog that's about 1–1.5 lb (450–680 g) of raw food a day.
The catch is that raw foods differ a lot in fat and calories. One raw-food maker notes that commercial raw foods range from about 30 to 80 kcal per ounce, so "2.5%" of one product can contain more than twice the calories of another. That's why this calculator works from calories first: your dog's daily energy needs divided by the calories in your specific food.
Dog calorie needs
| Dog | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| Adult, spayed or neutered | 1.6 × RER |
| Adult, not spayed or neutered | 1.8 × RER |
| Inactive or prone to weight gain | 1.2–1.4 × RER |
| Weight loss (at ideal weight) | 1.0 × RER |
| Light work or very active | 1.6–2.0 × RER |
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 × RER |
| Puppy 4 months to adult size | 2.0 × RER |
RER (resting energy requirement) = 70 × body weight in kg0.75. Adult factors are from the Pet Nutrition Alliance, puppy and work factors from the 2021 AAHA nutrition guidelines. The calculator uses the middle of each range.
Raw feeding safety
Major veterinary and public health bodies advise against raw diets because of germs such as Salmonella and Listeria, which can make dogs and the people around them sick:
- The American Veterinary Medical Association "discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced proteins" to dogs and cats.
- The CDC "does not recommend feeding raw pet food or treats to dogs and cats."
- In FDA testing, 15 of 196 raw pet food samples carried Salmonella and 32 carried Listeria (FDA).
- The WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee also lists bone-related risks such as broken teeth and gut blockages.
If you feed raw anyway, the CDC suggests washing your hands before and after handling it, thawing frozen raw food in the fridge, and throwing away leftovers that have been out at room temperature. A commercial raw diet labeled "complete and balanced" is more likely to cover your dog's nutrient needs than a home-made raw recipe.
Households with young children, older people or anyone with a weak immune system are at higher risk from germs in raw pet food. Talk to your vet before switching.
Questions people ask
How much raw food should I feed my dog per day?
Raw-food makers commonly suggest 2–3% of an adult dog's ideal body weight per day. For a more accurate amount, divide your dog's daily calorie needs by the kcal per gram on your food's label, which is what the calculator does.
How much raw food for a 50 lb dog?
By the 2–3% rule, about 1–1.5 lb (450–680 g) a day. By calories, a neutered 50 lb dog needs about 1,165 kcal a day; with a raw food at 140 kcal per 100 g that's about 830 g.
How much raw food should a puppy eat?
Puppies need more energy per pound than adults: about 3 times their resting energy requirement until 4 months and 2 times after that (AAHA). Feed by calories and recalculate as the puppy grows.
Is raw food safe for dogs?
The AVMA, CDC and WSAVA all advise against raw diets because of the risk of Salmonella, Listeria and other germs, for both pets and people. If you choose raw, follow strict hygiene and choose a complete and balanced commercial product.