Natural Pet Pantry

Feeding Calculator for Dogs & Cats

Find out how much raw or gently cooked food your dog or cat should eat each day. Answer a few quick questions to get a starting daily portion, then build a recurring delivery to match.

Step 1 of 5

Do you have a dog or a cat?

Feeding Guide

Raw feeding guide: how much should you feed your dog or cat?

Raw and gently cooked meals are fed by body weight, not by the cup. Generally, an adult pet will consume 2-4% of its body weight per day. This will vary based on its metabolism, activity level & general health.

Adult dogs and cats, by goalShare of body weight per day
GroupShare of body weight per day
Lose weight2%
Maintain weight3%
Gain weight4%
Puppies and kittens, by ageShare of body weight per day
GroupShare of body weight per day
Under 4 months8%
4 to 5 months6%
6 to 8 months5%
9 to 11 months4%
1 year and up (adult rate)3%

A worked example

A 50 lb adult dog holding a healthy weight uses the 3% rate. 50 lb is 800 oz, and 3% of that is 24 oz of food a day, or about 12 oz per meal when fed twice a day. Over 2 weeks that adds up to 336 oz, or 21 lb of food. Every dog is a little different, so the calculator shows 10% either side of that number as a range to start from (21.5 to 26.5 oz here). It does this math for your own pet and sizes a recurring delivery to match.

Feeding Amount Questions

Here is how much to feed, how often, and how to tell if the amount is right.

Most adult dogs eat 2 to 4% of their body weight per day: about 2% to lose weight, 3% to maintain, and 4% to gain weight. The calculator then adjusts that rate for activity level: 20% less for a dog who mostly lounges, 20% more for one who runs, hikes, or works most days. A 50 lb dog at 3% eats about 24 oz a day. Enter your dog's weight, goal, and activity level in the calculator above for their daily range.
Growing pets eat a bigger share of their body weight: about 8% under 4 months, 6% from 4 to 6 months, 5% from 6 to 9 months, 4% from 9 to 12 months, then the adult rate from their first birthday. Because their weight changes fast, re-run the calculator every few weeks.
Adult cats use the same 2 to 4% of body weight per day as dogs: about 2% to lose weight, 3% to maintain, and 4% to gain, then 20% less or more for a low or high activity level. A 10 lb cat at 3% eats about 4.75 oz a day, or a little under 2.5 oz per meal twice a day. Enter your cat's weight, goal, and activity level in the calculator above for their daily range.
Not quite. Since our stews are gently cooked, they contain fewer calories per ounce than raw. Dogs on stew usually need about 15% more by weight. Choose Gently Cooked in the calculator and it adds that 15% for you.
Yes. Treats, chews, goat milk, bone broth, toppers, and other extras all add calories. If your pet gets a lot of them, start at the low end of the range. If they are still gaining when they should not, step down one rate.
Most adult dogs and cats do well with two meals a day, so split the daily amount in half. Young puppies and kittens often do better with three or four smaller meals. The calculator shows the per-meal amount for twice-a-day feeding.
Weigh your pet every couple of weeks and check their body condition. You should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat and see a waist from above. If they are gaining when they should not, step down one rate. If their ribs show too easily, step up. Very active pets, cold weather, and nursing mothers can all need more.
Enter their current weight and choose Lose weight. The calculator uses the 2% rate, the low end of the range, which trims calories gently. Recheck their weight every few weeks and switch to Maintain weight once they reach a healthy size. Your vet or our nutrition consultants can help you set a target.

Still not sure? The nutrition consultants at our Kirkland and Burien stores can help you dial in the right amount, and the raw feeding FAQ covers transitioning, storage, and handling.

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Pick your pet's favorite food and set up a recurring delivery so you never run out. Or place a one-time order whenever you need it. Adjust, skip, or cancel your order anytime at no extra charge.

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Nutrition Consultants

Need Help Finding the Right Food?

We know how picky pets can be, and finding the right food can feel overwhelming. Our in-house nutrition consultants have helped thousands of pet owners find the perfect diet. Beyond our own recipes, we carry a wide selection of trusted brands across raw, cooked, freeze-dried, kibble, and more. Give us a call and we'll help you figure it out.

Kirkland

(425) 739-4738

Burien

(206) 248-1079

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