Small dogs eat small amounts, which makes raw feeding very affordable. The main challenge is portioning: a 454g roll can last a little dog several days. Here is how much to feed and how to keep things simple and safe.
Small dog, small numbers. Our raw feeding calculator works out the exact grams a day, which really helps when portions are this small.
How much does a small dog need?
Most adult dogs eat 2 to 3 percent of their ideal bodyweight a day. Small, lively dogs may need towards the top of that range:
| Ideal weight | 2% a day | 3% a day |
|---|---|---|
| 2kg | 40g | 60g |
| 4kg | 80g | 120g |
| 6kg | 120g | 180g |
| 8kg | 160g | 240g |
Split the daily amount into two meals. Small differences add up quickly on a little dog, so weigh food on kitchen scales rather than guessing.
Portioning a roll without waste
Once a roll is thawed it should be kept covered in the fridge and used within 48 hours, and it should never be refrozen. A small dog may not finish a whole roll in that time, so plan ahead:
- Portion while frozen. Many small dog owners cut a frozen roll into slices with a sturdy knife on a clean board, wrap them, and keep them in the freezer. Then defrost one or two portions at a time.
- Use small tubs. Lidded tubs make it easy to defrost exactly one or two days of food in the fridge.
- Label everything with the flavour and date.
- Clean up well. Wash the knife, board and your hands straight afterwards.
Our storage and handling guide has more tips.
Which foods suit small dogs?
Complete raw foods from Supreme Raw, Stobart, K9 Raw and Reggie's are minced, with the bone ground in, so they suit small mouths. A 10 pack box goes a long way for a small dog, so a variety box lets you try several flavours without filling the freezer with one.
Not sure what your dog will like? The Try Me Variety Box includes three ranges in one box.
Watch the treats
On a small dog, a few treats can be a large part of the day's food. If your dog gets training treats or chews, take a little off their main meals to balance it out.
Ready to start?
Work out your dog's daily amount with our feeding calculator. Moving from kibble? Our 10 day switching plan works for dogs of every size. Delivery is free on orders over £70 (£3.95 below that), and you can choose Subscribe and Save to get 5 percent off every order and never run out.
This guide is general advice for healthy adult dogs. If your dog has a health condition or you are unsure, please check with your vet.