Feeding Guide
Raw feeding: portions, ingredients and everyday handling
Use this guide to understand portion estimates, divide a daily amount into meals and plan your next food order. Before choosing a recipe, check its full ingredient list and feeding instructions, not just its name.
A portion estimate is a starting point, not a complete feeding plan. Your pet's age, activity, body condition and the food's calorie content all matter. A calculator does not establish whether a recipe supplies every nutrient your pet needs. [1] [2]
Using the feeding calculators
Adults: enter your pet's weight in kilograms and select the activity level that best describes their normal routine.
Puppies and kittens: enter your pet's weight in kilograms and select their age range in months. The existing form labels this dropdown Pet Activity level, but its options are age ranges.
Both forms show food per day in grams, food per week in kilograms and an approximate monthly quantity. These are existing weight-based estimates, not recipe-specific calorie assessments. Confirm an appropriate feeding plan with your vet, particularly for growing pets or pets with health or weight concerns.
The daily result is for the whole day, not each meal. The monthly estimate uses 30.4 days; for a four-week order, calculate 28 days instead.
Daily food is not the same as food per meal
Divide the agreed daily total between the meals in your pet's feeding plan. Do not give the full daily amount at every meal.
Example only: a daily allowance of 400 g divided into two equal meals gives 200 g per meal. At that same allowance, seven days requires 2.8 kg and fourteen days requires 5.6 kg. These figures demonstrate the maths; 400 g is not a recommended amount for every pet.
For ordering: daily grams × number of days ÷ 1,000 = kilograms required. Work out each pet's allowance separately before adding the quantities together.
Check ingredients before choosing a blend
A product name does not necessarily name every ingredient. For example, our Lamb + Mackerel also contains beef, beef kidney, beef heart and ovine (sheep) tripe.
Read the complete ingredient list on the product page and packaging. For a pet with a diagnosed allergy or a prescribed diet, follow your vet's ingredient restrictions and check with us about any uncertainty before ordering.
Do not assume that a meat blend is a complete diet simply because it contains several ingredients. Look for a nutritional adequacy statement for your pet's species and life stage, or ask for the supporting information. [2]
Store, thaw and serve safely
Keep it frozen: put frozen food into your freezer promptly and follow the product's storage instructions and dates.
Thaw in the fridge: use a covered, leak-proof container on the bottom shelf, away from other food. Do not thaw raw meat on the kitchen bench. [3] [4]
Prepare small amounts: follow the product's refrigerated-use instructions. Our current raw blend handling instructions say to defrost only enough for two days at a time; that is not a reason to leave thawed food at room temperature.
Clean after feeding: wash hands with soap and water, clean and disinfect bowls, utensils and surfaces, and discard uneaten raw food promptly. Keep children away from raw food and used feeding equipment. [4]
Raw food can carry harmful bacteria; freezing does not make it sterile. Take particular care where children, pregnant people, older adults or people with weakened immunity may be exposed, and discuss the risks with your vet or health professional. [4] [5]
Common feeding questions
How much raw food should I feed my dog?
There is no single gram amount that suits every dog. Use the food's feeding information and a plan appropriate to your dog's body condition and activity. Review the amount when the food, weight or activity changes. Count treats and other food as part of the total intake, not as unlimited extras. [1]
Can I use the same plan for a puppy, kitten or adult pet?
No. Growing animals, pregnant or nursing pets and adults have different nutritional needs. Dogs and cats also need different nutrient profiles. Ask your vet for an appropriate plan rather than applying an adult dog's allowance to every pet. [2]
Should I feed once or twice a day?
The feeding schedule should suit your pet's age, health and individual plan. Dividing an agreed daily allowance into two meals does not double the allowance. The example above explains the portion calculation, not a universal meal-frequency recommendation.
What if my pet is gaining or losing weight?
Review portions, treats and body condition with your veterinary team. An unexplained weight change needs assessment, rather than repeated guesses at a new food amount. A calculator is not a weight-loss prescription. [1]
Sources and further guidance
[1] AAHA: Feeding plans for healthy, appropriate-weight cats and dogs.
[2] AAFCO: Selecting the right pet food — species, life stage and nutritional adequacy.
[3] New Zealand Food Safety: Handling raw meat safely.
[4] Food Standards Scotland: Raw pet food.
[5] FDA: Raw pet food risks and handling precautions.
General information from Raw Pet Food Express. This page is not an individual veterinary feeding prescription; the organisations linked above have not endorsed our products or calculators.