How Much?

One of the biggest problems for new raw feeders is trying to figure out how much to feed.  As we all know, the amounts listed on the bag of kibble are only approximations.  For example, not ALL 50 pound dogs need the 2 3/4 cups per day that may be listed on the bag - that's just a guideline.  That 12 year old spayed bitch may only need 1 cup per day to stay in good weight, while your 10 month old male pup, or the dog who goes to Agility 3 nights a week may need 5 cups of the same product.  IF you have learned to keep your dogs in correct weight by using the "eye ball method", you can apply the same principals to raw.  Take a good look at your dog(s) every day and decide if he looks too heavy, too lean or just right and adjust the food accordingly.  You can also weigh him several times a week if that helps.  Keeping a food journal listing amounts fed can also help.



This chicken back weighs about 11 ounces

It might be helpful to weigh the dog's food at first.  Some raw feeders always weigh the food.  Start with the idea of feeding 2% of your dog's body weight per day - that's the approximate requirement for the average adult dog.  A fast growing puppy needs far more, sometimes as much as 10% of his weight.  Seniors often require less than 2%. You are figuring this percentage based on the dog's ideal weight.  If Spot is chubby at his current 60 pounds, then use 50 or 55 pounds for figuring.  If your Dal weighs/should weigh about 50 pounds, then start with 1 pound of food per day.
 
The large meaty chicken back sitting on the scale weighs about 11 ounces.  If our goal is to feed 1 pound of food per day, this would make a perfect dinner for our dog.  Then feed a second meal that weighs perhaps half a pound or a bit less.  1/2 cup ground turkey, 1/4 cup raw veggies and an egg weighs about 7 ounces and would be fine.



These chicken backs vary a great deal in size.

 This works better than saying feed one chicken back per meal.  Raw meaty bones vary a great deal in size, depending on your source. The large 11 ounce chicken back came from a 3-pack of backs purchased at Whole Foods.  The small back came from a 20# of backs purchased from a wholesaler.  The backs in that box varied in size, but this one was typical after I trimmed off a large chunk of fat.  If I was feeding the bulk backs I would give two of them for a meal - or feed a larger ground meat & veggie meal.

Remember, you don't have to get the amounts right each day.  It's just the average over a few days or a week that matters.  If I am low on ground meat, or forgot to thaw veggies, I may give the dogs a smaller ground meat meal but add an extra back to the second meal.  Works just fine that way.