Raw Dog Food Calculator: How Much to Feed and What It Costs per Month

Most raw feeding guides suggest 2% to 5% of body weight a day for an adult dog, with 3% as the usual average. That is about 1.5 pounds a day for a 50-pound dog, or about 45 pounds a month. This raw dog food calculator guide shows amounts by weight, what raw costs against kibble, and the safety limits a vet would give you.

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Raw feeding calculator for dogs: the percent-of-body-weight rule

A raw feeding calculator for dogs works from one rule: feed a set percent of body weight each day. Hepper's raw feeding guide puts adult dogs at 2% to 5% of total body weight. It sorts that range by activity.

• Sedentary dogs: 2%
• Average activity: 3%
• High activity: 4%
• Working dogs: 5%

The guide recommends about 3% for the average dog and says not to go under 2%, because that can cause nutritional problems. It suggests two meals a day and advises working with a vet. The formula is plain: body weight in pounds, times the percent, gives pounds of raw food a day.

Raw food diet for dogs calculator: amounts by weight

This raw food diet for dogs calculator table applies the 2% and 3% rules to common dog weights. It also shows pounds a month at 3%, which is what you buy.

Dog weight	Pounds a day at 2%	Pounds a day at 3%	Pounds a month at 3%
10 lb	0.2	0.3	9
25 lb	0.5	0.75	22.5
50 lb	1.0	1.5	45
75 lb	1.5	2.25	67.5

A percent rule is a rough tool, because raw foods differ in calories per pound. A lean meat blend and a fatty one at the same weight deliver different energy. To check an amount, convert your dog's calorie target using our dog calorie calculator and compare it with the food's kcal per pound.

What raw dog food costs a month

Raw dog food costs more than kibble at almost every price point, because raw is sold by the pound and kibble is dense. PetBux reports that raw and freeze-dried diets are generally the priciest option per calorie. It lists mid-tier kibble at $35-$65 a month for a medium dog and $55-$100 for a large dog.

The table prices raw at three illustrative prices per pound, because brands vary widely. Plug in your own price. Kibble assumes a neutered adult at 388 calories per cup, $2.50 a pound, and about 4 ounces per cup.

Dog weight	Raw at $2 a lb	Raw at $4 a lb	Raw at $6 a lb	Mid-tier kibble
10 lb	about $18	about $36	about $54	about $17
25 lb	about $45	about $90	about $135	about $33
50 lb	about $90	about $180	about $270	about $56
75 lb	about $135	about $270	about $405	about $76

Raw at $2 a pound is possible only with bulk meat and home preparation. At that price a 50-pound dog costs about $90 a month, or about 1.6 times kibble. At $6 a pound it costs nearly five times kibble. Our dog food cost guide covers wet and fresh food too.

Homemade dog food calculator: amounts are not the hard part

A homemade dog food calculator can set portion sizes, but it cannot make a recipe nutritionally complete. Researchers at UC Davis reviewed 200 recipes from 34 sources, including veterinary textbooks and websites. Per the UC Davis news summary, 95% of recipes lacked at least one essential nutrient. More than 83% had multiple deficiencies.

Only 9 of the 200 recipes met the minimum standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials for adult dogs. Eight of those nine were written by veterinarians. The study also found that 92% of recipes had vague instructions that forced the owner to guess.

The lesson is practical. Use a recipe from a veterinary nutritionist, follow it exactly, and ask your vet about supplements. A free recipe search result is not a diet plan.

Raw dog food safety: what the FDA and AVMA say

The FDA and the AVMA both advise against raw diets, so read their guidance before you buy. The AVMA raw diet policy discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-source protein to dogs and cats. It names Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and other germs.

The AVMA adds that apparently healthy dogs can carry infections and pass them to people. It lists young, elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised people as most at risk. The FDA's raw pet food page describes a two-year study. Of 196 raw dog and cat food samples, 15 tested positive for Salmonella and 32 for Listeria monocytogenes.

If you feed raw anyway, handle it like raw chicken:

1. Wash hands, bowls, and counters with hot soapy water after every meal.
2. Keep raw food frozen or refrigerated until use.
3. Keep your dog away from young children and anyone with a weak immune system.
4. Tell your vet, so they can check your dog's nutrition.

Why portion control still matters

Portion control matters on any diet, because extra weight shortens dogs' lives. In the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2022 survey, 59% of US dogs were overweight or obese. A raw diet does not protect against that. A dog fed 5% of body weight on a sedentary day can gain weight fast.

Weigh your dog monthly and feel the ribs. If weight climbs on a fixed amount, cut the portion by about 10%. For the calorie method behind those numbers, see how much to feed a dog by weight.

Which feeding style fits your budget

Kibble is the lowest-cost complete diet, and raw adds cost, risk, and work. If you want raw for a 50-pound dog, expect about $90 to $270 a month at $2 to $6 a pound, versus about $56 for mid-tier kibble.

Run the numbers for your dog's size before you switch. The PetBudget calculator builds a food line by breed, and the methodology page explains how it is calculated. Ask your vet before changing your dog's diet.