Raw Feeding Puppies

Raw is a wonderful way to raise a puppy, giving them a species-appropriate diet from the very start. But puppies are not just small adults. They are growing fast, their needs change week to week, and getting their feeding right matters more than at any other life stage. Here is what you need to know.

Puppies need more, relative to their size

Because they are building bone, muscle and tissue at speed, puppies need considerably more food relative to their bodyweight than adult dogs. Where an adult might eat around 2% to 3% of bodyweight, a young puppy may need substantially more.

But, and this is the crucial point, how you calculate that amount needs to change as they grow.

The key idea: feed towards adult weight

Here is the mistake that catches people out. Early on, a puppy is often fed a percentage of their current weight. That works while they are small. The problem is that if you keep feeding a high percentage of current weight as they get bigger, you end up feeding more and more, pushing them to grow too fast.

Fast growth is not a good thing. In fact it is one of the things you most want to avoid, because rapid growth is linked to developmental joint problems, particularly in medium and large breeds. You are not trying to grow the biggest puppy fastest. You are trying to grow a lean, steady, well-built dog.

The better approach as your puppy grows is to feed against their expected adult weight rather than their current weight. You estimate what they will weigh as an adult, feed a percentage of that, and ease the percentage down as growth slows towards maturity. This keeps growth controlled and protects those developing joints.

Estimating adult weight is easier than it sounds. Breed averages, the size of the parents, and your vet’s input all help you arrive at a sensible target.

Keep them lean

Throughout puppyhood, aim for lean rather than chunky. A roly-poly puppy looks appealing but carries unnecessary load on growing joints. You should be able to feel ribs easily and see a waist. Use the same condition checks as for an adult dog, and adjust portions to keep your puppy trim as they grow.

Re-weigh regularly, more often than you would an adult, because their needs change quickly. Then adjust the food to match.

Meal frequency

Young puppies need feeding more often than adults, simply because their stomachs are small and their energy needs high. A common pattern is:

• Very young puppies: three to four meals a day.
• As they grow: reduce gradually to three, then two meals a day.
• Approaching adulthood: settle into the adult routine of two meals a day.

Splitting the daily total across several meals keeps energy steady and digestion comfortable.

Balance still matters: 80/10/5/5

Puppies follow the same balanced framework as adults: 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% other organ. Bone is especially important for growing dogs because of its calcium, but as with everything, the right amount matters. Too much or too little bone causes the same issues in puppies as in adults, so aim for that 10% and let their stools guide you.

Introduce variety and organ gradually, just as you would with an adult transitioning to raw. A puppy’s gut is still maturing, so go gently with rich ingredients and build up.

Take extra care with large and giant breeds

Large and giant breed puppies need particular attention to growth rate, because they have the most to lose from growing too quickly. Keeping them lean and feeding to a sensible adult-weight target is even more important here. If you have a large or giant breed puppy, this is well worth discussing with your vet.

A note on confidence

Feeding a puppy raw can feel high-stakes, and the changing calculations put some people off. It does not need to. The principles are simple: feed to adult weight, keep them lean, split into frequent meals, hit the balance, and adjust as they grow. A tailored plan handles the shifting maths for you, recalculating portions as your puppy develops so you can simply feed with confidence.

If in any doubt about your growing puppy’s diet, particularly for large breeds or if anything seems off, your vet is your first port of call.

Next in the series: raw feeding big breeds, and the truth about bloat.

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This article is general guidance and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet about your puppy’s diet and growth, particularly for large and giant breeds.