Raw feeding doesn't have to be complicated. It comes down to feeding the right amount for your pet's size and life stage, choosing good quality ingredients, and building a routine that works for your household. Here's a broad guide to get you started – every pet is different, so use this as a starting point and adjust from there.
The simple raw feeding rule: feed by body weight
Most adult dogs and cats require approximately 2–3% of their body weight in raw food per day, split across one or two meals. It's a broad starting point, not an exact science – active dogs, lean cats and pets in cold weather often need a little more, while less active pets may need a little less. If you are feeding a mix of raw & kibble, make sure you adjust the percentages accordingly to ensure you don't over feed.
We keep the maths simple, too. The majority of our frozen range comes in convenient 90g medallions, so once you know roughly how many grams your pet needs a day, you can just count out medallions rather than weighing food at every meal.
Adult dogs — approximately 2–3% of body weight per day
|
Dog's weight |
Daily raw amount (approx.) |
Approx. 90g medallions |
|---|---|---|
|
5kg |
100–150g |
1–2 |
|
10kg |
200–300g |
2–3 |
|
15kg |
300–450g |
3–5 |
|
20kg |
400–600g |
4–7 |
|
30kg |
600–900g |
7–10 |
|
40kg |
800–1,200g |
9–13 |
Adult cats — approximately 3–4% of body weight per day
|
Cat's weight |
Daily raw amount (approx.) |
Approx. 90g medallions |
|---|---|---|
|
3kg |
90–120g |
1–1.5 |
|
4kg |
120–160g |
1.5–2 |
|
5kg |
150–200g |
2–2.5 |
Working, sporting or very active dogs generally sit at the higher end of the range, or benefit from a higher-fat option to keep up with the extra energy they're burning.
Puppies and kittens need more, relative to their size, to fuel rapid growth – but exactly how much depends heavily on breed, current age and expected adult size, especially for large and giant breed puppies where over-feeding can affect healthy bone and joint development. Rather than working to a fixed number, start with a portion appropriate to their current weight, feed across several small meals a day, and check in with us or your vet as they grow so their intake can be adjusted along the way.
These figures are a general guide, not a fixed prescription. The real test is your pet's body condition – you should be able to feel their ribs easily without having to press or dig for them, while they remain only lightly visible. From above, they should have a defined waist, and from the side, a gentle tuck up through the abdomen. These visual cues are often more useful than relying on weight alone. If they're gaining weight, scale back the portion slightly; if they're losing condition, add a little more.
Getting started
If your pet is new to raw, there's no need to rush the transition. Introduce one protein at a time. Start with a single, simple protein, chicken or beef are common first choices – for one to two weeks before rotating in others. This gives their gut time to adjust, and some loose stools in the early days are normal and usually settle quickly.
Keep raw and kibble as separate meals, not mixed in the same bowl. Raw and dry food digest at different rates, so many owners find it better for digestion to feed kibble at one meal and raw at another, rather than combining the two together.
Go at your pet's pace. Some take to raw immediately; others need a slower introduction, especially older cats or dogs used to a very different diet. There's no fixed timeline, what matters is finding a routine that works for your household.
Building in variety
Once your pet is settled on a first protein, rotating through others – different meats, along with organ and green tripe options is where raw feeding earns its reputation. Different proteins bring different amino acid profiles and micronutrients, so variety over the course of a week or month helps build a more complete diet overall.
Our range includes single-protein options for pets just starting out or managing allergies, multi-protein blends for an easy, varied feed in one product, and raw meaty bones and chews for dental health and enrichment. Bones typically make up around 10% of a balanced raw diet, alongside supporting dental health, the natural chewing action provides valuable mental stimulation too. Unsure whether to feed whole bones, then many of our products contain ground bone, especially our game products. If you're not sure where to start or how to build a rotation for your particular pet, come and talk to us in-store, we're always happy to help.
Still have questions?
Every pet is different, and this guide is deliberately broad so it works as a starting point for most households. Drop into one of our stores or get in touch, we've been doing this since 1987, and we're always happy to help you get it right.
This guide is general information only, intended as a starting point for healthy adult pets. It isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. If you have specific concerns about your pet's feeding routine, weight, health conditions or any changes in their eating or condition, please speak with your vet.
