Table of Contents
- How Much Homemade Dog Food To Feed Your Dog: Talk to the Experts!
- Dog Feeding Chart (How much homemade dog food to feed healthy puppies and adult dogs)
- Why You Need to Know the Exact Serving Size of Food
- FAQs About How Much Homemade Dog Food To Feed My Dog
- How Much Homemade Dog Food to Feed Your Dog: Final Thoughts
Are you planning to switch from kibble to homemade dog food? You might be asking how much homemade dog food to feed your dog!
A homemade diet is a great alternative to commercial kibble, but only if you do it right.
There are plenty of resources when making homemade dog food. Books, online, websites, name it!
In fact, we also have many recipes you can choose from! (Check them out at this link.)
But then comes the conundrum: “How much homemade dog food should I feed my dog?”
Well, it's not an easy question to answer.
In this article, I'll explain how to determine the proper homemade dog food serving size in cups for your dog.
We'll also discuss the factors that affect your dog's diet and the importance of a balanced homemade meal.
How Much Homemade Dog Food To Feed Your Dog: Talk to the Experts!
Note: Before you figure out how much homemade dog food to feed your dog, understand that the only person who can give you an accurate answer to this question is trained in canine nutrition – a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist.
And even then, an expert may not be able to give you an exact answer; together, you will have to find recipes and actual serving sizes to meet individual dogs' specific needs.
For starters, you'll need measuring cups to prep your dog's homemade diet.
We use something like this at home.
Also, we typically include the recommended serving sizes for most of our homemade dog food recipes.
No need for you to guess or eyeball!
Factors Affecting Homemade Dog Food Serving Sizes
Before determining how much food to feed a dog, you must fully understand their nutritional requirements.
A dog's nutritional requirements can be figured out using calculations from the National Research Council (PDF), which are based on:
- age
- breed
- environment
- activity level
- medical history
- health condition
Based on these factors, the types of foods or ingredients a dog can eat and how much food it can consume daily change.
For example, puppies need a smaller portion of food, but it should be calorie-dense to support their rapid growth and development.
An adult dog will require more servings, but it also depends on whether they are small or large breeds, sedentary or highly active, healthy or with a medical condition.
Not all dog food recipes are created equally. All of them offer different nutrients.
Some are well-balanced and can be used as a staple in a pet's diet, while others may only be good as an occasional meal.
RELATED: A Science-based Guide to Home Cooked Dog Food Recipes
Dog Feeding Chart
(How much homemade dog food to feed healthy puppies and adult dogs)
Experts recommend 2% to 3% of your dog's body weight daily.
That means a healthy, 60-pound dog can ideally eat 1.2 to 1.8 pounds of a home-cooked meal, roughly equivalent to 3-4 cups of food.
But remember: this is only the starting point!
Adjusting it accordingly is important based on your dog's metabolism, activity level, and age.
So, how much homemade food should I feed my dog by weight?
Great question!
For easier reference, check out our charts below to know how many cups of homemade dog food you should serve your pup.
Note that these are under the assumption that you have a healthy dog with an appropriate weight based on their age and size, with no medical conditions.
For Healthy, Active Puppies
*Daily servings in cups per day
| Weight (lbs) | 1–3 Months | 3–6 Months | 6–9 Months | 9–12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | ¾ – 1 | 1 – 1¼ | ¾ – 1 | ¾ – 1 |
| 10 | 1 – 1½ | 1¾ – 2 | 1½ – 1¾ | 1¼ – 1½ |
| 20 | 1½ – 2 | 2½ – 3 | 2 – 2½ | 1¾ – 2¼ |
| 30 | 2 – 2½ | 3 – 3½ | 2½ – 3 | 2¼ – 2¾ |
| 40 | 2½ – 3 | 3½ – 4 | 3 – 3½ | 2¾ – 3¼ |
| 50 | 3 – 3½ | 4 – 4½ | 3½ – 4 | 3¼ – 3¾ |
| 60 | 3½ – 4 | 4½ – 5 | 4 – 4½ | 3¾ – 4¼ |
| 70+ | Add ½ cup/10 lbs | Add ½ cup/10 lbs | Add ½ cup/10 lbs | Add ½ cup/10 lbs |
RELATED: Homemade Puppy Food Recipes: Vet-Approved
For Healthy, Active Adult Dogs
*Daily servings in cups per day
| Weight (lbs) | Daily Serving |
|---|---|
| 5 | ¾ – 1 |
| 10 | 1¼ – 1½ |
| 20 | 1¾ – 2¼ |
| 30 | 2½ – 3 |
| 40 | 3 – 3½ |
| 50 | 3¾ – 4½ |
| 60 | 4½ – 5 |
| 70+ | Add ½ cup/10 lbs |
For Healthy Senior Dogs
*Daily servings in cups per day
| Weight (lbs) | Daily Serving |
|---|---|
| 5 | ½ – ¾ |
| 10 | 1 – 1¼ |
| 20 | 1½ – 2 |
| 30 | 2 – 2½ |
| 40 | 2½ – 3 |
| 50 | 3 – 3½ |
| 60 | 3½ – 4 |
| 70+ | Add ⅓ cup per 10 lbs |
As we said, these are just the starting guide when feeding your dog a home-cooked meal. Your veterinarian will tell you the exact ideal amount based on your dog's individual and specific needs.
Also, space the servings between 2 and 3 feedings in a day. Feeding your dog this much food in one serving can cause discomfort!
RELATED: Recipe: Homemade Food for Senior Dogs
Homemade Dog Food Serving Size by Ingredients
You can also determine how much homemade dog food to feed your dog by examining the ideal quantities for each type of ingredient.
Use the following as general guidelines!
Note: These suggestions are the amount needed daily per 20 pounds of your dog’s body weight.
- 1/4 to 1/3 pounds of meat
- 1/2 to 3/4 cups of yogurt or cottage cheese, or 3 to 4 eggs
- If you use meat and non-meat protein sources, half each of the above.
- 1 to 2 cups of potatoes, rice, pasta, or other carbs
- 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked vegetables
- A tablespoon of canola or olive oil
- Add calcium with 1/2 teaspoon of bone meal or ground eggshell
Why You Need to Know the Exact Serving Size of Food
You may wonder why you need to figure out the right size of homemade dog food serving in cups for your pet. Can't we just eyeball it?
Unfortunately, no, we cannot.
The consequences of feeding a dog too much or too little food are obvious.
When overfeeding on calories, your dog will become obese, which could lead to several other health conditions: diabetes, joint problems, certain types of cancer, and heart and respiratory issues.
Feeding a dog too much food can also lead to vitamin toxicity. In such cases, too much of a good thing could be very bad.
For example, some of dogs' most common vitamin toxicity cases are related to Vitamin A, which can cause bone spurs, lethargy, constipation, stiffness, and limping.
Vitamin D toxicity can lead to vomiting blood, seizures, muscle tremors, and abdominal pain.
At the same time, if you don't feed your dogs enough essential nutrients, they risk nutrient deficiency and malnutrition.
If you haven't figured out the exact serving size of homemade dog food and don't realize your dog isn't getting all the essential nutrients, it will become weak, and its organs will start failing.
In the end, nutrient deficiency will lead to death if it's not corrected in time.
RELATED: Vitamin Deficiencies in Dogs: Causes and Treatments
FAQs About How Much Homemade Dog Food To Feed My Dog
Is homemade dog food healthy?
When done right, homemade dog food can be healthier than commercial kibble.
Extensive research is needed to determine what makes a balanced meal for pups and the best ingredients, preparations, and supplements to add.
Also, it's important to talk to your vet so they can help you tailor-fit recipes according to your dog's specific needs.
What are the benefits of homemade dog food?
Foods benefit every living creature, including your beloved pup!
Here are some potential benefits of feeding your dog food made at home:
- Regulation of Pet Food Quality
- No Filler Ingredients in Homemade Foods
- Increased Variety in the Diet
- Homemade Diet May Provide Better Nutrition
- Homemade Dog Foods Are Fresh, Not Preserved
- No More Waste (Or Less of It)
- It Can Be Cheaper (Sometimes)
You can also check our website for the other pros and cons of feeding homemade food to dogs.
What do dogs need in homemade food?
Stick to high-quality ingredients, such as proteins, carbohydrates like vegetables or grains, calcium, essential fatty acids, and fats like meat or oil.
Can I feed my dog only homemade food?
Of course, it's always your choice whether to feed them homemade or prefer to have them processed foods over the counter.
The only important thing is that your dog has balanced and healthy food to maintain its healthy lifestyle.
It depends on the quality and how much homemade dog food serving size in cups you make for them.
Can I feed my dog chicken and rice every day?
You can give your dog chicken and rice daily, but it is much healthier to include other ingredients.
You must ensure your dog gets enough nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
RELATED: Best Homemade Dog Food Recipe with Chicken and Rice
How Much Homemade Dog Food to Feed Your Dog: Final Thoughts
You generally want to feed your dog about 2-3 percent of its body weight, assuming it is an adult. If your dog is 50 pounds, you should feed him about 16 ounces.
Knowing how much homemade dog food to feed your dog will give them full nutrition and help them grow healthier. It would help if you also looked at the nutritional information of your recipe.
If you are a beginner in adopting dogs, you must know the serving size of homemade dog food in cups. However, consulting your vet is also important.
For other homemade dog food recipes, kindly visit our website.
Related Articles:
- 21 Best Homemade Dog Food Books
- 50 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes
- 3 Things to Know Before Switching to Homemade Dog Food Diet
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