How Many Times A Day Should I Feed My Dog Raw Food?

Feeding your dog raw food is becoming an increasingly popular option for pet owners who want to provide their furry friends with the best species appropriate nutritional diet. Lynn Menard is the owner of Everything Raw Doggie Cafe in the Ottawa area and has helped many dogs make the switch to a raw diet. One of the most common – and most important – questions she gets is how many times a day should you feed your dog raw food. Setting a suitable feeding schedule will assist with the health and well-being of our furry friends. 

What Factors Should You Consider When Setting a Raw Dog Food Feeding Schedule? 

When determining how many times a day to feed your dog raw food, Lynn points out several factors to consider. The first thing is your dog’s age: puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs and require more food and therefore more frequent meals. Typically, you should feed a puppy three to four times per day to start and continue until they are able to eat more per meal. At this point, you would reduce the frequency but increase the quantity of food per meal until your pup is able to gradually transition to two meals per day. 

The second factor is that no matter the dog’s size or breed, except for puppies as noted above, most dogs prefer two meals per day, while others prefer once per day, and some even thrive better with more frequent meals per day. It depends on your dog’s preference and in some cases, your dog’s health. However, you should talk to your veterinarian about the specific dietary frequency if your dog has health issues. 

What Raw Feeding Schedule Works Best for Your Dog? 

The most important thing to remember when feeding your dog is to monitor your dog’s weight and overall health as well as watch for signs that indicate that you need to make a change to meet your dog’s individual needs. If your dog is maintaining a healthy weight and has good energy levels, you are good to go.   

However, Lynn advises to you should check your dog’s ribs on a weekly or regular basis. If you feel a slight layer of fat over the ribs, you are on the right track. If the fat is increasing or your dog is gaining unwanted weight, reduce the amount of food you are feeding. And if you feel that the fat is decreasing or your dog is losing weight, increase the amount you are feeding. It’s also good to weigh your dog regularly.   

It is also important to consider the time of year or the season you are in. Dogs tend to be less active in winter, therefore, this may warrant feeding less; whereas dogs that are more active during the warmer weather may require more food. It is also not unusual for dogs to not want to eat during heat waves, or hot weather.   

Lynn reminds you that ultimately, every dog is unique, and what works for one dog may not work for another. If you’re unsure about the best feeding schedule for your dog, consult with a veterinarian or a raw dog food nutrition specialist for personalized advice. 

 

At Everything Raw, we’re passionate about providing quality raw dog food and helping dog owners make informed decisions about their pets’ nutrition. Lynn and her team are always happy to answer any other questions you have. They can even help you to create a customized raw food feeding plan for your beloved furry companion.  

Feed your dog raw food with love and care, and watch them thrive in health and happiness! Contact Everything Raw to get started today!