Why is it important to feed your dog the right amount?
Feeding your dog a raw diet can provide numerous health benefits, including improved digestion, healthier skin and coat, and increased energy levels. However, it's crucial to feed your furry friend the right amount of food to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients without overfeeding them.
How much should you feed your dog?
The amount of food your dog needs depends on several factors, including their age, weight, activity level, and metabolism. As a general guideline, you should aim to feed your dog 2-3% of their body weight per day. For example, if your dog weighs 10kg, is a fully grown adult and you are wanting to maintain their weight, you should feed them approximately 250g of raw food daily, this can be split into separate meals.
Offer a variety of proteins such as chicken, beef, lamb, and fish to ensure your dog receives a balanced diet. There are many different options to choose from when it comes to proteins, including standard proteins (chicken, beef, lamb) exotic proteins (wild boar, horse, ostrich) and game (rabbit, pheasant, guinea fowl) along with different fish choices too. Include organ meats like liver and kidney, as well as raw meaty bones, which provide essential nutrients and help maintain dental health. If you don't want to DIY your dogs raw meals you can easily buy complete mixes that have muscle meat, bone and offal already included in the correct ratios, this is the most popular choice for raw feeders. DIY would not be recommended whilst you are first starting out on your raw feeding journey, until you get the hang of things and understand the ratios needed!
Remember to also add eggs (raw or cooked, ideally with the shell) 1-2 x per week and oily fish such as sprats or an oily fish complete mix.
How to determine the right amount for your dog?
Start by calculating the daily food requirement based on your dog's weight. Then, consider their activity level. If your dog is highly active, you may need to increase their food intake slightly. Conversely, if your dog is less active or overweight, you may need to reduce the amount of food you feed them.
It's important to monitor your dog's body condition and adjust their food intake accordingly. You should be able to feel their ribs without excess fat covering them. If your dog is losing weight or their ribs are highly visible, you may need to increase their food portion. On the other hand, if your dog is gaining weight or their ribs are difficult to feel, you may need to decrease their food portion. You can find more information about this on our BCS blog post.
What if your dog has specific dietary needs?
If your dog has specific dietary needs, such as being a puppy, a senior, or having certain health conditions, this may change slightly. Please don't hesitate to get in touch or speak to your vet.
How to transition your dog to a raw diet?
When transitioning your dog to a raw diet, it's important to do it gradually to avoid digestive upset. Start by replacing a small portion of their current food with raw food and gradually increase the amount over a period of 7-10 days. Monitor your dog's stool during this transition period to ensure they are adjusting well to the new diet. You can find more information about this on our transitioning blog post.
Final thoughts
Feeding your dog a raw diet can be a great way to improve their overall health and well-being. By determining the right amount of food to feed them and monitoring their body condition, you can ensure they receive the optimal nutrition they need. Remember, every dog is unique, so it's important to tailor their diet to their individual needs.
