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

Quick answer: Most puppies need 5 to 10% of their body weight in raw food daily, divided into 3 to 4 meals until about 6 months old. 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

A good rule of thumb is to feed puppies 5 to 10% of their body weight per day, compared to about 2 to 3% for adults.

Daily feeding amounts by puppy weight:

• 10 lb puppy → 0.5 to 1 lb per day
• 20 lb puppy → 1 to 2 lbs per day
• 40 lb puppy → 2 to 4 lbs per day
• 60 lb puppy → 3 to 6 lbs per day

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.

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.

If your puppy is getting chunky, scale back slightly. If they are too lean, increase food a bit.

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 5 to 10% of body weight, 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.