How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog or Cat? Feeding Charts by Weight

“How much should I feed?” is one of the first questions pet parents ask when they switch to raw. Raw food is denser in protein and moisture than kibble, so the amount in the bowl often looks smaller than people expect.

Here is a simple way to work out a starting amount for your dog or cat, plus the feeding charts we use for our frozen raw recipes.

Smallbatch frozen raw food for dogs and cats is sold at independent pet stores. Find a store near you.

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The Quick Answer

Our feeding amounts are based on calories and your pet’s metabolic body weight, and each recipe has a feeding chart on the bag and product page.

These are starting points. Your pet’s age, activity level, and body condition will tell you whether to adjust.

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How Much Raw Food to Feed Your Dog

This chart is based on our frozen raw beef patties. Calories vary a little between recipes, so always check the feeding guide on your bag.

Dog’s weight	Patties per day
Up to 10 lb	¼ – ¾
11 – 20 lb	¾ – 1 ¼
21 – 40 lb	1 ¼ – 2 ¼
41 – 60 lb	2 ¼ – 3
61 – 80 lb	3 – 3 ½

Split the daily amount into two meals for most adult dogs. Use the lower end of the range for less active or senior dogs, and the higher end for active dogs.

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How Much Raw Food to Feed Your Cat

This chart is based on our frozen raw chicken sliders for cats. Each slider is about 1 oz.

Cat’s weight	Sliders per day
5 lb	2 ½
10 lb	5 ½
15 lb	8
20 lb	11

Many cats do best with two to three smaller meals a day. Remove anything left in the bowl after mealtime.

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Feeding Puppies, Kittens, and Nursing Pets

Growing and nursing pets need more food than adults of the same weight.

• Puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs: feed about 2–3 times the adult amount, split into several meals a day.
• Kittens and pregnant or nursing cats: daily amounts can be doubled.

Check with your veterinarian on amounts for puppies, kittens, and pets who are expecting or nursing. Large-breed puppies have specific needs, so look for a recipe formulated for their growth.

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How to Tell If You Are Feeding the Right Amount

Feeding charts get you close. Your pet’s body tells you the rest. Check every couple of weeks:

• Ribs: you should be able to feel them easily under a thin layer of fat, without seeing them.
• Waist: looking down from above, there should be a visible tuck behind the ribs.
• Energy and stool: steady energy and firm, consistent stools are good signs.

If your pet is gaining weight, reduce the daily amount by about 10%. If they are losing weight or seem hungry, increase it by about 10%. Then check again in two weeks.

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Making the Switch

If you are moving from kibble, start with a gradual change over about a week. Our guides walk through it step by step: How to Feed Your Dog a Raw Diet and How to Feed Your Cat a Raw Diet.

Thaw frozen raw in the refrigerator, not on the counter, and serve it within 2–3 days of thawing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much raw food should I feed my dog per day?

It depends on your dog’s calorie needs, which scale with metabolic body weight rather than a flat percentage of weight. For Smallbatch frozen raw beef patties, a 20 lb adult dog eats about ¾ to 1 ¼ patties a day and a 60 lb dog about 2 ¼ to 3. Check the feeding chart for your recipe and adjust based on age, activity, and body condition.

How much raw food should I feed my cat per day?

A 10 lb adult cat eats about 5 ½ Smallbatch frozen raw sliders (about 5 ½ oz) a day. A 5 lb cat eats about 2 ½ sliders. Check the feeding guide on your recipe and adjust to keep your cat at a healthy weight.

Do puppies eat more raw food than adult dogs?

Yes. Puppies typically need about 2–3 times the adult feeding amount for their weight, split into several meals a day. Ask your veterinarian for guidance, especially for large-breed puppies.

Should I feed raw food once or twice a day?

Most adult dogs do well with two meals a day. Cats often prefer two or three smaller meals. Splitting the daily amount helps with digestion and keeps mealtimes consistent.

Can I feed my dog a percentage of their body weight?

Percentage rules, like 2–3% of body weight a day, are a common shortcut, but they do not account for how energy needs change with size. We base our feeding charts on calories and metabolic body weight instead, which gives small and large pets more accurate starting amounts.

Why does a raw portion look smaller than kibble?

Raw food is made mostly of meat, organ, and bone, with no starchy fillers, so it delivers nutrition in a smaller, moisture-rich portion. Feed by calories and body condition, not by how full the bowl looks.