Switching your dog to a raw diet is exciting and one of the best things you can do for their long-term health — but one of the most common questions pet parents have is:

“How much raw food should I feed my dog?”

Feeding raw isn’t just about portion size — it’s about meeting your dog’s individual caloric needs. Every dog has a different metabolism, activity level, and body type, so learning how to calculate their daily caloric intake ensures they’re getting the perfect balance of nutrition and energy to maintain a healthy weight and longevity. 

*This service is freely included in our Marlin's consult where you leave all the calculating and math mumbo-jumbo for us*

You can always make it easy on yourself and use an online calculator, but for those that want something to chew on... Let’s break it down step-by-step 👇

Step 1: Determine Your Dog’s Resting Energy Requirement : RER

Maybe our beloved Baxter (a 9 year old Basset Hound) is starting to look like he's prepping for winter- all year around.  You follow the back of the bag, but it's vague and unspecified towards your unique family member and his age, activity level, BCS, etc. How many calories should Baxter actually be eating, and how many calories is he currently eating?

Luckily, we can accurately gauge how much Baxer should be eating- fairly quickly. To begin, you will find out your Baxter's Resting Energy Requirement (RER)  — the number of calories he will burn just to maintain his normal bodily functions at rest.  RER is represented by the formula below

RER = 70 x (body weight in kg)^0.75                   *1 kg= 2.205 pounds

Ex. Using a 50 pound Healthy Canine

RER = 70 x (22.7 kg)^0.75 = 728 kcal/Day

Step 2: Determine Your Dog's Daily Energy Requirements: DER

Once you have figured out yours dog's RER, take careful inventory of your furry companion and multiply their RER by a Lifestyle Factor Number (Shown as "DER Multiplier" in table 1) to give you a rough estimate of your dogs DER.  You now have the base energy requirements PLUS any additonal energy needed for exercise, growth, pregnancy, or lactation. The product of this is your dog's Daily Enery Requirements (DER)

Dog Type Description / Activity Level DER Multiplier
Neutered Adult Average activity, household pet 1.6 × RER
Intact Adult Normal activity, not neutered 1.8 × RER
Inactive / Overweight-Prone Low activity, weight management 1.2–1.4 × RER
Active / Working Dog Moderate to high daily exercise 2.0–5.0 × RER
Puppy (0–4 months) Rapid growth phase 3.0 × RER
Puppy (4 months–adult) Continued growth, less rapid 2.0 × RER
Senior Dog Lower metabolism, reduced activity 1.2–1.4 × RER
Weight Loss Goal Caloric restriction for fat loss- Consult w/ Your Vet or Nutritionist Before Proceeding 1.0 × RER (for Ideal Weight)
Weight Gain Goal

Underweight or recovering dog- Consult w/ Your Vet or Nutritionist Before Proceeding

 1.2–1.4 × RER (for Ideal Weight)
Pregnant / Lactating Female Increased caloric demand 2.0–6.0 × RER (varies by stage)

EX. Using Our 50 pound, Neutered Adult Canine with a Healthy BCS (Body Condition Score)

(RER) X (Lifestyle Factor) = DER

728 kcal x 1.6 = 1,165 kcal/ Day.

Woooo! Just like that, you've calculated a starting point for how many calories your unique companion will eat a day, and are armed with the knowledge to do it yourself

*As discussed, each dog is a never seen before- never seen again model.This is a great starting point but may vary depending on your dogs metabolism, age, body composition, etc. 

Step 3: Find the Calorie Content of Your Dog's Food, and Divide

Most reputable raw companies will have the calorie content of their food easily accesible. Check the back of your bag or contact your raw food supplier to get the calories per ounce of the food you're feeding. Once you have the calories per oz, divide your dog's DER by the Calories Per Oz

Ex. You feed a Beef Blend that is 36 cal/oz.

DER  /  Calories per oz = Total oz per Day

1,165  kcal day /  36  kcal per oz     =      32 oz/ Day

Step 4: Monitor and Adjust

Calorie calculations give you a nice starting estimate, but no formula replaces your eyes and hands.

Watch your dog’s:

  • Body condition (you should feel ribs easily but not see them)

  • Energy levels (should be steady, not sluggish or hyper)

  • Stool quality (firm, well-formed stools mean the balance is right)

Switching your dog to a raw diet is exciting — but figuring out how much to feed your beloved fur companion can feel confusing at the least. Every dog burns energy differently, and feeding an amount based on guidelines "from the bag" leaves major room for error- considering every dog’s metabolism is unique — age, breed, activity, and even the weather can influence how many calories they burn. Instead of guessing, now you can calculate your dog’s ideal portion using calories. This simple, science-based method helps you feed with confidence, ensuring your dog gets exactly what they need to stay strong, lean, and thriving on their raw diet.

 

Ryder D'Amato

Ryder@marlinsrawsuperfood.com