Raw Dog Food Calculator (BARF)
Raw portions are usually set as a percentage of body weight, typically 2–3% for adults, much more for puppies. This calculator does the math and splits the result into the classic 80/10/10 template.
The 80/10/10 split is a starting template; long-term raw diets also need omega-3, vitamin E, iodine and fiber sources. Adjust total amount to hold ideal body condition.
Every number above is a gram figure, and the 10% bone and 5% liver shares are small enough that eyeballing them defeats the template. A gram scale is the tool this page assumes you have. Shop kitchen scales on Amazon (sponsored)
How raw feeding amounts work
Instead of counting kilocalories, raw feeders use body-weight percentages because whole raw diets have fairly consistent energy density (~1.2–1.5 kcal/g). The common brackets:
| Dog | Daily amount (of body weight) |
|---|---|
| Adult, weight loss or couch potato | 2% |
| Adult, typical | 2.5% |
| Adult, active or working | 3–4% |
| Puppy 2–4 months | 8–10% of current weight |
| Puppy 4–6 months | 6–8% |
| Puppy 6–9 months | 4–6% |
| Puppy 9–12 months | 3–4% |
Cross-check against calories with our main calculator. If the two disagree wildly, your dog probably isn't "typical" and the body-condition check should win. Also useful: puppy feeding calculator, monthly cost of raw vs kibble, and methodology & sources (NRC / WSAVA / AAHA framing).
Frequently asked questions
What is the 80/10/10 rule?
A common template for BARF-style raw feeding: 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, and 10% organ meat, half of which (5% of the total) should be liver. It approximates the proportions of whole prey. It is a starting template, not a complete guarantee of balance: over time raw diets also need sources of omega-3s, vitamin E, iodine and fiber (fish, eggs, vegetables or a balancing supplement).
Is 2–3% of body weight always right?
It’s a rule of thumb that works because it roughly tracks calorie needs for average adult dogs. Easy keepers and seniors may need only 1.5–2%; sport dogs may need 3–4%. The body-condition check beats the math: ribs easy to feel, visible waist from above.
How much raw food does a puppy need?
Far more than an adult, relative to size: roughly 8–10% of current body weight at 2–4 months, tapering to about 3–4% by 9–12 months (this calculator applies that taper automatically). Split it into 3–4 meals for young puppies, and be extra careful that calcium (bone content) is adequate and consistent during growth.
Is raw feeding safe?
It’s debated. Handle raw meat with the same hygiene you’d use for your own food, source from suppliers you trust, and know that the FDA and many vets advise against raw diets in homes with immunocompromised people, small children, or dogs on chemotherapy. Balance matters more than most people expect. Consider a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (ACVIM) or a formulation service if you feed raw long-term.