Raw Feeding for Puppies: How Much, When to Start, and Why It Matters

Quick answer: Feed a puppy by its current weight: about 3 times its resting energy needs under 4 months old and about 2 times from 4 to 12 months (the AAHA growth guidelines), divided into 3 to 4 meals until about 6 months old. A 20 lb puppy, for example, eats about 1¾ lb of Harvest Chicken a day under 4 months, or about 1¼ lb a day at 4 to 12 months. Detailed amounts by weight, plus what to actually feed and how to start, are below.

Puppies grow fast — which means their nutritional needs are very different from adult dogs. Feeding too little can stunt healthy growth, while feeding too much can cause rapid weight gain and joint stress. Getting raw feeding right for a puppy is mostly about three things: the right amount, the right ratio of meat to bone to organ, and the right frequency.

At Bone & Harvest, we believe raw feeding should be simple and balanced at every stage of life. Here is the whole picture.

Puppies vs Adults: Why Their Needs Are Different

• Higher calorie needs: Puppies burn more energy as they grow and play, so they need more food per pound of body weight.
• More frequent meals: Puppies need smaller, more frequent meals to aid digestion and stable blood sugar.
• Balanced calcium and phosphorus: Critical for bone development — too much or too little of either can cause growth problems.
• Protein-rich diets: Support muscle growth, organ development, and brain development during the first 12 to 18 months.

How Much Raw Food to Feed a Puppy

The standard veterinary way to size a puppy's portion is its resting energy needs (based on current weight) times the AAHA growth factor — about 3× under 4 months old, and about 2× from 4 to 12 months — divided by the recipe's real calories. That is far more food per pound than an adult eats, and the youngest, smallest puppies need the most per pound.

Daily feeding amounts by puppy weight (Harvest Chicken; beef is about the same, turkey about 4% more):

• 10 lb puppy → about 1 lb per day under 4 months; about 11½ oz at 4 to 12 months
• 20 lb puppy → about 1¾ lbs per day under 4 months; about 1¼ lbs at 4 to 12 months
• 40 lb puppy → about 3 lbs per day under 4 months; about 2 lbs at 4 to 12 months
• 60 lb puppy → about 2¾ lbs per day at 4 to 12 months

Divide this into 3 to 4 meals daily until your puppy is 6 months old. After 6 months, you can begin transitioning to 2 meals per day.

Large and giant breeds: keep them lean, never free-feed, and weigh every 2 to 4 weeks so the daily amount keeps pace with their current weight.

Bone Growth and Muscle Development

Two questions come up constantly with raw-fed puppies: are they getting enough bone, and are they getting enough protein for muscle development? Here is what to actually look for:

• Bone content: A balanced raw recipe is usually around 10% ground bone by weight. That delivers the calcium and phosphorus puppies need without overshooting. Bones should always be ground in puppy food — never whole.
• Protein for muscles: Aim for about 80% muscle meat (including heart, which is technically a muscle), 10% bone, 10% organ. That ratio supports muscle and organ growth without overloading the kidneys.
• Large-breed considerations: Large and giant-breed puppies are more sensitive to excess calcium during the rapid-growth window (3 to 7 months). Stick to balanced commercial raw or follow the 80/10/10 ratio carefully if you DIY.

Watching Growth and Adjusting

Every puppy is unique. Use these checkpoints to adjust:

• Ribs should be felt but not seen.
• Puppy should have a visible waist when viewed from above.
• Energy levels should be high and consistent.

Start with the amount for your puppy's current weight and age, then adjust: if your puppy is getting chunky, scale back slightly. If they are too lean, increase food a bit. Weigh them every 2 to 4 weeks and update the amount as they grow, or get an exact plan from our Meal Plan Builder.

Transitioning from Kibble

If your puppy is currently on kibble, switch gradually over 7 to 10 days. Replace about 25% of the kibble with raw for 2 to 3 days, then 50%, then 75%, then 100%. Watch the stool — soft stool means slow the transition down. Firm, smaller stool means you are on track.

Why Raw Is the Right Start

Raw feeding provides the dense nutrition growing puppies need:

• Muscle-building protein in a highly digestible form.
• Bone and organ content for minerals and vitamins in their natural ratios.
• Natural enzymes for digestion that cooking destroys.
• Higher moisture content than kibble, which supports hydration and kidney function.

At Bone & Harvest, our balanced recipes include everything a puppy needs — no fillers, no grains, no guesswork.

Final Thoughts

Feeding your puppy raw does not have to be complicated. Start with the amount for their current weight and age (about 3× resting energy under 4 months, about 2× from 4 to 12 months), divide into 3 to 4 meals, watch their body condition, and adjust as they grow.

With Bone & Harvest, you can be confident your puppy is getting Raw Done Right from the very beginning.