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 4

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. The calculator above 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 or for very active dogs. A 50 lb dog at 3% eats about 24 oz a day. Enter your dog's weight and goal in the calculator above for an exact amount.
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. 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 and goal in the calculator above for an exact amount.
Both are fresh, whole-food meals, so the calculator uses the same body-weight percentages for either. Pick raw or gently cooked when you set up your delivery and the amount stays the same.
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.

Natural Pet Pantry insulated delivery container at a customer's doorstep
Home Delivery

Never Run Out of Pet Food

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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Delivered in reusable insulated containers
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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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