What to feed your dog
A raw diet consisting of meat, offal, bone, and seasonal fruit and vegetables is the closest match to what dogs eat in the wild. This means it’s best suited to meet a dog’s nutritional needs and is easier to digest.
Understand what a raw diet is and why it’s the best food for your dog, with our guide, ‘BARF raw dog food for beginners’.
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Get Your Personalised PlanThe ideal dog food you choose should be
The best dog food should be:
- Complete and balanced. So, it meets the nutritional needs for your dog’s age/maturity stage. For example, a puppy needs food that is higher in protein and fats to support its growth and development, where an adult dog has done their growing, so they don’t need as many calories
- Recognisable. When checking the ingredients list, you should be able to identify all of the ingredients mentioned
- Fresh. Dogs can digest fresh ingredients more easily than synthetic ingredients. This means more of the nutrients are absorbed by their body, resulting in less waste coming out as stools
- High in quality proteins. Our raw food contains a minimum of 80% meat, offal, and bone to provide the amino acids that produce energy and support the production and maintenance of skin, nails, muscles, and bones
Benefits of raw feeding
There are numerous benefits to feeding your dog a raw diet, including:
- Raw is a species-appropriate diet, so it’s easier for dogs to digest
- More of the food nutrients are absorbed, so less waste comes out the other end. This means smaller, firmer, and less smelly poos. Yay!
- The vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in the ingredients we use are retained as we freeze our raw food not cook it
- Raw supports a healthy weight due to its balance of macronutrients (high protein, moderate fats, and low carbohydrates), which helps dogs to store less body fat
- The higher percentage of quality protein provides dog’s with the energy they need to be active
- Raw is lower in carbohydrates, so it’s lower in sugar. This is great for dog’s teeth and gum health
- A raw diet is high in the healthy unoxidised fatty acids, omega 3 and 6, as well as the key amino acids for hair production. This means their fur is kept oh so soft and shiny, without excess shedding
- Raw food contains bone, which is a natural source of calcium and phosphorus. We carefully balance these ratios to support bone health, repair, and growth
- Raw meat provides high-quality protein aminos and key bone fibres which support a healthy gut lining, and therefore a healthy immune system
- Raw fulfils your dog’s nutritional needs, so they feel more satisfied. This can lead to less begging behaviour
How much raw food to feed your dog by weight (kg)
The amount of food your dog needs each day is, on average, between 2%-3% of their body weight. But, smaller dogs may need slightly more as they have a faster metabolism than larger dogs.
Use our chart to understand the ideal daily amount of food in grams your adult dog needs of Bella+Duke raw food. The amounts shown are based on a dog’s weight.
Dog feeding charts by breed size and weight
Toy breeds (e.g. Chihuahua, Pomeranian)
| Weight | Daily amount of food (g) | % of body weight as food |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | 50g | 3%-5% |
| 2kg | 100g | 3%-5% |
| 3kg | 120g | 3%-5% |
| 4kg | 160g | 3%-5% |
| 5kg | 200g | 3%-5% |
Small breeds (e.g. Pug, French Bulldog)
| Weight | Daily amount of food (g) | % of body weight as food |
|---|---|---|
| 6kg | 197g | 3%-5% |
| 7kg | 230g | 3%-5% |
| 8kg | 240g | 2%-3% |
| 9kg | 250g | 2%-3% |
| 10kg | 260g | 2%-3% |
Medium breeds (e.g. Beagle, Border Collie)
| Weight | Daily amount of food (g) | % of body weight as food |
|---|---|---|
| 11kg | 275g | 2%-3% |
| 12kg | 300g | 2%-3% |
| 13kg | 325g | 2%-3% |
| 14kg | 350g | 2%-3% |
| 15kg | 375g | 2%-3% |
| 16kg | 400g | 2%-3% |
| 17kg | 425g | 2%-3% |
| 18kg | 450g | 2%-3% |
| 19kg | 475g | 2%-3% |
Large breeds (e.g. Labrador, German Shepherd)
| Weight | Daily amount of food (g) | % of body weight as food |
|---|---|---|
| 20kg | 500g | 2%-3% |
| 21kg | 525g | 2%-3% |
| 22kg | 550g | 2%-3% |
| 23kg | 575g | 2%-3% |
| 24kg | 600g | 2%-3% |
| 25kg | 625g | 2%-3% |
| 26kg | 650g | 2%-3% |
| 27kg | 675g | 2%-3% |
| 28kg | 700g | 2%-3% |
| 29kg | 725g | 2%-3% |
| 30kg | 750g | 2%-3% |
| 31kg | 775g | 2%-3% |
| 32kg | 800g | 2%-3% |
| 33kg | 825g | 2%-3% |
| 34kg | 850g | 2%-3% |
| 35kg | 875g | 2%-3% |
| 36kg | 900g | 2%-3% |
| 37kg | 925g | 2%-3% |
| 38kg | 950g | 2%-3% |
| 39kg | 975g | 2%-3% |
| 40kg | 1000g | 2%-3% |
| 41kg | 1025g | 2%-3% |
| 42kg | 1050g | 2%-3% |
| 43kg | 1075g | 2%-3% |
| 44kg | 1100g | 2%-3% |
Giant breeds (e.g. Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound)
| Weight | Daily amount of food (g) | % of body weight as food |
|---|---|---|
| 45kg | 1125g | 2%-3% |
| 46kg | 1150g | 2%-3% |
| 47kg | 1175g | 2%-3% |
| 48kg | 1200g | 2%-3% |
| 49kg | 1225g | 2%-3% |
| 50kg | 1250g | 2%-3% |
| 51kg | 1275g | 2%-3% |
| 52kg | 1300g | 2%-3% |
| 53kg | 1325g | 2%-3% |
| 54kg | 1350g | 2%-3% |
| 55kg | 1375g | 2%-3% |
| 56kg | 1400g | 2%-3% |
| 57kg | 1425g | 2%-3% |
| 58kg | 1450g | 2%-3% |
| 59kg | 1475g | 2%-3% |
| 60kg | 1500g | 2%-3% |
What else influences the daily food amount besides weight
These amounts are an estimate. As well as their weight, your dog’s size, breed, any known medical conditions, and activity level may affect how much food they have each day.
Want to know how much raw food to feed your dog? Enter your dog’s weight into our raw adult dog food calculator to understand how much to feed them daily.
How much to feed overweight dogs
Slowly reducing how much you feed your dog can help your overweight furry friend shed some of those extra pounds. Before cutting back their daily food amount, it may be advisable to speak to your vet, particularly if your dog has a medical condition.
Start by reducing their daily amount by 10%. For instance, if your dog is on 182g a day, 10% would bring it down to 163.8g.
Feed this reduced amount for a week, and weigh your dog. If they are losing weight, fantastic! If they haven’t, try reducing their daily amount by another 10%. For instance, the dog being fed 163.8g would go down to 147.42g.
If you’ve reduced the food amount and your dog isn’t losing weight, we advise that you speak to your vet.
How much to feed underweight dogs
The rib cage of underweight dogs is clearly visible. This is harder to see on dogs with lots of fur, so a body composition check will tell you if they are too skinny.
To help them pack on the pounds so they reach the ideal weight for their breed, slowly increase their daily food amount by 10%. For instance, if your dog eats 200g a day, you should give them 220g instead.
Feed this new amount for around a week, and weigh them to check if they are gaining weight. If they are, that’s great news. If not, increase their food again by another 10%. So 220g will become 242g.
If your dog is not gaining weight with an increased amount of feed, consider speaking to your vet.
How much to feed senior dogs
Generally, dogs are classified as ‘senior’ when they reach 7 years of age. [1] Most senior dogs thrive on 2 meals a day, but some may prefer smaller amounts more frequently.
It’s important to monitor how much you feed your senior dog. As they’re not as active, they can easily put on weight, which can stress the joints. Some seniors may need a little more food than previously to protect against muscle loss as they age, while others might need less than before as they slow down and don’t exercise so much.
Signs you’re feeding the right amount
The best way to know you are feeding your dog the right amount of food is by checking their body condition score. This check is a sight and touch check.
Your dog should have a defined waist when you look from the side and above, and you should be able to feel their ribs as you run your hands along their chest. They will have adequate body fat to protect themselves, but never so much that they struggle to be active.
Other signs to look out for include:
- Healthy coat: Your dog should have a healthy and glossy coat with no localised hair loss
- Healthy skin: A dog that is being fed a balanced and complete diet in the right amount will have skin that is soft to touch, that doesn’t peel, and isn’t itchy
- No begging: A dog that has eaten an appropriately sized nutritious meal shouldn’t beg (although some dogs will always be on the lookout for something delicious!)
- Ideal weight: A dog eating the right amount should be an ideal weight for their age, size, and breed. If they are losing weight or gaining too much weight, they may be eating too little or too much
Read our guide, ‘The best food for dogs’, to understand what to feed your best friend more in-depth.
How many times a day you should feed your dog
Most dogs become adults between 12-18 months, but it’s slightly longer for giant breeds. At this stage, their stomachs are larger than when they were puppies, so they can hold more food. This means the number of times they need feeding during the day is less.
Most adult dog breeds only need 2 meals a day. Some only need 1. However, dogs with medical or dietary conditions may need a tailored feeding schedule.
Best time to feed your dog
The best time to give your dog their first meal of the day is after they’ve been outside for a toilet break. What time this depends on your dog and your schedule. For some pet parents, this is between 6 am to 7 am.
For dogs on 2 meals a day, their next meal will be 12 hours later. So, between 6 pm and 7 pm.
What about dogs who eat once a day? This, again, depends on your dog and your schedule. You can either give their meal at breakfast, lunch, or evening meal. Their next meal would be 24 hours later at around the same time.
Ideal feeding schedule for adult dogs
Allowing your dog to graze on food throughout the day isn’t recommended as it’s hard to know how much they are eating. A feeding schedule trains your dog to expect food at certain times, and it is easier for you to manage, as you’re not having to top-up their meals throughout the day.
Ideal feeding schedule for a dog on 2 meals a day
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | Wake up and toilet break | |
| 6 am – 7 am | Breakfast | |
| 7 am – 8 am | Chill time | |
| 8 am – 10 am | Morning exercise / training | |
| 12 – 1 pm | Brain games | |
| 1 pm – 3 pm | Training / play | Your puppy may need a few treats to see them through to their evening meal |
| 3 pm – 5 pm | Exercise | |
| 6 pm – 7 pm | Evening meal and toilet break |
As humans we’re used to eating 3 main meals a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, it might be hard to imagine that some dogs only need 1 meal a day.
Ideal feeding schedule for a dog on 1 meal a day
There’s no set rule for when you should feed your dog. Some dogs will prefer their only meal as breakfast, as lunch, or as dinner.
This feeding schedule is based on a dog having a afternoon/evening meal:
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | Wake up and toilet break | |
| 7 am – 8 am | Morning exercise / training | A few treats can be given while you all have breakfast |
| 8 am – 10 am | Relax | |
| 12 – 1 pm | Exercise | |
| 1 pm – 3 pm | Training / play | |
| 3 pm – 5 pm | Meal | A couple of treats on a walk can be given |
| 6 pm – 7 pm | Chill and snuggles |
Try the best dog food!
Support your dog’s health through nutrition with 40% off your first box, 30% off your second and 20% off your third!!
Get Your Personalised PlanHow to transition your dog to raw food
If your dog is eating kibble, tinned, or another food type, and you want them to benefit from being on a raw diet, there are a couple of ways to make the switch:
The straight swap
Finish off your dog’s usual food, and then give a meal of Bella & Duke raw food as their next meal
The gradual transition
The majority of dogs will take to their new food straight away, but there are some dogs who will take longer.
To gradually swap your dog’s food to raw, you can follow the following schedule.
| Day | % normal food to raw food |
|---|---|
| 1 | 80% to 20% |
| 2 | 70% to 30% |
| 3 | 60% to 40% |
| 4 | 50% to 50% |
| 5 | 30% to 70% |
| 6 | 100% adult food. |
This is a guide and your dog may slightly less or longer than this to switch to raw food.
Top tips on feeding dogs on a raw diet
If you’re not sure how to feed raw, here are our top tips to get you started:
- Understand how much food your dog needs each day. Our dog food calculator provides an average based on your dog’s weight. This is a guide, and you should take other factors like activity level, breed, and health into consideration
- Split their daily amount equally by the number of meals they need each day
- When starting out, plan ahead. Our food comes frozen and has to be defrosted for 24 hours in the fridge before it can be fed to your dog
- Once defrosted, our raw food can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Let your dog eat in peace, so keep children entertained and place their board/bowl in a quiet area away from people and noise
- Hygiene is very important to stop cross-contamination. Wash your hands with soak before preparing your puppy’s meals and after picking up their bowl
- Give lots of praise
Learn more about the best dog food!
Discover Our Raw Dog FoodReferences:
- Feeding your senior dog, The Kennel Club: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/feeding-your-senior-dog/
- How old is old? Comparing dog age to human age, vca animal hospitals: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/how-old-is-old-comparing-dog-age-to-human-age#:~:text=Small%20dogs%20are%20considered%20senior,seniors%20at%207%20years%20old.
FAQs
Is raw feeding good for my dog?
We believe that raw food is the most appropriate food for dogs, as it mimics what canines would eat in the wild, and the high-quality ingredients provide all the nutrients your dog needs to be healthy, happy, and active now and as they grow older.
Our raw dog food is free from grains, such as wheat, corn, barley, oats, and more. Dogs’ digestive systems aren’t designed to digest grains, so they turn into sugars, which may negatively impact a dog’s physical health and behaviour.
What should I raw feed my dog?
Give your dog a balanced and complete raw diet so they get the appropriate levels of protein, fats, amino acids, vitamins and minerals that they need to thrive. We understand that all dogs are individuals, so we have a range of flavours to suit all tastes.
How do you start raw feeding dogs?
You can start raw feeding your dog at any age, even from weaning. If your dog ate raw food as a puppy, switching them to raw adult dog food should be easy. If you’re feeding kibble, or another type of food, you may have to make the switch over 7-10 days, gradually switching a percentage of their current food for raw.
Can I feed my dog raw meat from the supermarket?
Yes,it’s OK to give your dog the occasional piece of meat you have bought from the supermarket. As your dog needs a balanced and complete meal to get all the nutrients they need, you shouldn’t just solely feed them raw meat.
If you plan to give your dog, meat from a supermarket, pop it in the freezer for a couple of days. This is a precaution against any parasites that may be present and to inhibit bacterial growth. Farmed meat from a reputable UK source is a low risk for parasites, but it does no harm to take the precaution if you can.
Do vets recommend a raw diet?
Some vets will advocate for a raw diet, some won’t. Raw feeding is a relatively new thing, in comparison to feeding something kibble, which we’ve been doing since the mid-1950’s, so some vets are not sure about it.
How often should I feed my dog?
The majority of dogs need 2 meals a day, 12 hours apart. So, if your dog has their first meal at 7am, their evening meal will be at 7 pm.
Should I feed or walk my dog first in the morning?
You can choose to feed or walk your dog first thing in the morning, depending on what works best for your dog and your schedule. It’s recommended you leave at least an hour after coming back from the walk before you feed your dog. This gives them time to cool down, so they can digest their food without any issues.
From what age should dogs eat adult dog food?
Once a dog reaches adulthood, generally around 12 months, you can move them onto adult food. However, this age can vary per breed.
As there’s little difference between our raw puppy food and raw adult dog food, it’s OK to switch slightly earlier or later, depending on your dog’s needs.
At what age should dogs be transitioned to senior dog food?
Dogs are typically classified as seniors, when they reach 7 years old. But breed determines when your dog is a senior. For instance, small dogs are deemed senior citizens when they reach 11 or 12 years old, medium size breeds at 10 years, large breeds at 8 years, and giant breeds at 7 years. [2] Discover our range of senior raw dog food.
What are healthy dog treats?
Healthy treats are things that provide suitable nutrients to your dog or help maintain their health. Our venison bites are a natural source of vitamin B and iron for an energy boost, and venison is a novel protein too. And our venison snack is great for cleaning a dog’s teeth.
