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Based on General Fresh Food Feeding Guidelines

How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?

A practical reference guide to help you choose the right portion size and plan how much Doug's Kitchen food to have on hand.

Feeding Reference

Daily Feeding Guide by Weight

The amounts below are starting point recommendations for healthy adult dogs eating a fresh food diet. One package of Doug's Kitchen food equals 8 oz (approximately 227g).

Please note: These are general guidelines only. Individual dogs vary. Always transition to fresh food gradually and consult your veterinarian if your dog has specific health conditions, weight management needs, or dietary restrictions.

Dog's Weight

Daily Amt

8oz Packs/day

Packs/wk

1 pack lasts

XS

5lbs

2.0 – 3.0 oz

~0.3

~2

2.5 – 4 days

XS

10lbs

3.0 – 4.5 oz

~0.5

~3

1.5 – 2.5 days

SM

15lbs

4.5 – 6.0 oz

~0.65

~4.5

1.3 – 1.7 days

SM

20lbs

5.5 – 7.5 oz

~0.8

~5.5

1 – 1.5 days

M

30lbs

7.5 – 10.5 oz

~1.1

~8

0.5 – 1.0 days

M

40lbs

10.0 – 13.5 oz

~1.5

~10

~14–19 hours

M

50lbs

12.0 – 16.5 oz

~1.8

~12.5

~12–16 hours

L

65lbs

15.0 – 20.0 oz

~2.2

~15

~10–13 hours

L

80lbs

17.5 – 24.0 oz

~2.6

~18

~8–11 hours

XL

100lbs

21.0 – 28.5 oz

~3.1

~21

~7–9 hours

XL

120lbs +

25.0 – 34.0 oz

~3.6

~26

~6–8 hours

* Daily amounts are based on approximately 2% to 3% of body weight, which is the general guideline for fresh food diets for healthy adult dogs at a moderate activity level.

Please note: These are general guidelines only. Individual dogs vary. Always transition to fresh food gradually and consult your veterinarian if your dog has specific health conditions, weight management needs, or dietary restrictions.

Dog's Weight

Daily Amt

8oz Pks/day

Pks/wk

1 pk lasts

XS

5lbs

2.0 – 3.0 oz

~0.3

~2

2.5 – 4 days

XS

10lbs

3.0 – 4.5 oz

~0.5

~3

1.5 – 2.5 days

SM

15lbs

4.5 – 6.0 oz

~0.65

~4.5

1.3 – 1.7 days

SM

20lbs

5.5 – 7.5 oz

~0.8

~5.5

1 – 1.5 days

M

30lbs

7.5 – 10.5 oz

~1.1

~8

0.5 – 1.0 days

M

40lbs

10.0 – 13.5 oz

~1.5

~10

~14–19 hours

M

50lbs

12.0 – 16.5 oz

~1.8

~12.5

~12–16 hours

L

65lbs

15.0 – 20.0 oz

~2.2

~15

~10–13 hours

L

80lbs

17.5 – 24.0 oz

~2.6

~18

~8–11 hours

XL

100lbs

21.0 – 28.5 oz

~3.1

~21

~7–9 hours

XL

120lbs +

25.0 – 34.0 oz

~3.6

~26

~6–8 hours

* Daily amounts are based on approximately 2% to 3% of body weight, which is the general guideline for fresh food diets for healthy adult dogs at a moderate activity level.

Quick Estimate

Package Calculator

Use this tool to get a quick estimate of how many 8 oz packages you may need for your order.

Package Calculator

Enter your dog's details below to estimate how many 8 oz packages you will need for your order.

Please enter your dog's weight in pounds before calculating.

Your Estimated Requirements

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oz per day
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pkgs per day
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pkgs per week
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pkgs for 14 days

What Affects Portion Size

Key Factors to Consider

Weight is your starting point but it is not the whole picture. These factors should also shape how much you feed your dog day to day.

A photo of two corgie dogs chasing a red tennis ball

Activity Level

Highly active dogs, working breeds, or dogs that get regular vigorous exercise typically need closer to the higher end of the recommended range. Senior or less active dogs generally need less.

Adjust up or down

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Age and Life Stage

Puppies have different nutritional demands than adults and are generally not suited to a straight adult fresh food formula without guidance. Senior dogs often benefit from slightly smaller, more digestible portions.

Consult your vet

A photo of an older golden retriever standing on a scale

Ideal Weight vs. Current Weight

Always base feeding amounts on your dog's ideal body weight, not their current weight. If your dog is overweight, feeding to their goal weight helps guide portion control without guessing.

Use goal weight

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Transition Period

Dogs switching from kibble to fresh food need a gradual transition over 7 to 14 days. Start with a smaller amount of fresh food mixed with their current food and increase slowly to avoid digestive upset.

Go slow

A photo of an older, chubby pug sitting on the floor beside his bed and food dishes

Mixed Feeding

If you are using Doug's Kitchen alongside kibble or other foods, reduce the fresh food portion proportionally. A common approach is 50/50 by caloric value, though any ratio can work based on your routine.

Adjust for mixing

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Health Conditions

Dogs managing kidney disease, pancreatitis, allergies, or other health conditions may have specific dietary requirements. Always involve your veterinarian when making food changes for a dog with a medical history.

Vet guidance needed

A photo of of a healthy fit looking brown dog in a field with a yellow ball in his mouth

Body Condition Scoring

The best ongoing measure is how your dog looks and feels. You should be able to feel (but not prominently see) your dog's ribs. A visible waist from above and a slight tuck from the side are healthy signs.

Watch and adjust

A photo of a beagle outside in the snow

Season and Environment

Dogs in cold climates or working outdoors in winter may burn more calories and need more food. Dogs in warmer climates or less active in summer may need slightly less.

Seasonal variation

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often when people are planning their dog's fresh food meals.

How do I know if I'm feeding the right amount?​

The best indicator is your dog's body condition over time. After a few weeks on the new diet, your dog should have consistent energy, a healthy coat, firm stools, and a stable weight. If your dog is losing weight unexpectedly, increase the portion slightly. If weight is creeping up or stools are consistently loose, scale back a little. The table above is a starting point, not a fixed rule.

Should I feed once a day or split in to two meals? 

​Most adult dogs do well with two meals per day, which helps maintain steady energy and reduces the risk of bloat in larger breeds. Smaller dogs may also benefit from two meals simply because their daily portion is small. If your dog has been eating once a day and is doing well, there is no urgent reason to change, but splitting meals is generally recommended.

How long does an open package stay fresh?

Once opened, Doug's Kitchen food should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator and used within 3 to 4 days. Unopened packages can be kept frozen and moved to the fridge 24 hours before you plan to use them. Do not refreeze food that has already been thawed.

My dog is on a weight loss plan, how do I adjust?

For weight loss, feed to your dog's target weight rather than their current weight. For example, if your dog weighs 55 lbs but should ideally be 45 lbs, use 45 lbs as your reference in the table above. It is also worth consulting your vet to rule out underlying causes and ensure the reduction is done at a healthy pace, typically no more than 1 to 2% of body weight per week.

Can I mix Doug's Kitchen food with my dog's current kibble?

.Yes. Many pet owners use a combination of fresh and dry food, either for convenience, budget, or during a transition. If you are mixing, reduce the amount of each food proportionally so the total daily intake stays appropriate for your dog's weight. A 50/50 split by volume is a practical starting point, but any ratio works. Mixing directly in the bowl at meal time is fine.

How many packages should I order to start?

If this is your first time trying Doug's Kitchen, we suggest starting with at minimum, enough for a 2-week supply at the recommended daily amount for your dog's weight. This gives you enough time to complete a proper transition from kibble to fresh food and to observe how your dog responds before committing to a larger order. Use the calculator above to estimate the number of 8 oz packages for a 14-day supply.

My dog seems hungrier than usual after switching, is that normal?

It can be. Fresh food is generally more digestible and has a higher moisture content than kibble, which means the volume may look smaller than what your dog was used to. Give it 2 to 3 weeks before assuming the portion is too small. If your dog's energy is good, weight is stable, and stools are healthy, the amount is likely appropriate even if your dog acts like it wants more.

Are these guidelines suitable for puppies?

​The guidelines on this page are intended for healthy adult dogs. Puppies have significantly higher caloric and nutritional requirements per pound of body weight and their needs change rapidly as they grow. If you are interested in feeding Doug's Kitchen to a puppy, we recommend booking a consultation with Rebecca to talk through the right approach for your pup's breed, age, and development stage.

Not Sure Which Plan is Right for Your Pup?

Tell us a bit about your pup and Rebecca of Doug's Kitchen will give you a call within 24 hours to discuss the best meal plan based on your dog's size, age, health needs, and lifestyle.
Questionnaire takes less than 5 minutes.

Less than 5 minutes

Personalized to your dog

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