Ground fresh in Ladoga, Indiana · Real butcher shop, not a factory · Free shipping on $149 orders

The Butcher's Hound · Feeding Guide

How much
raw does
your dog
actually need?

Enter your pet's details. We weigh out the daily portion, the monthly haul, and how long a box keeps the freezer stocked.

Weigh my dog How to switch
The ScaleAdult · Moderate
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ounces per day
lb
Per day
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Per month
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A 30 lb box lasts
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Food cost / day
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Set your dog's weight to see the right box.

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A starting point, not a prescription. Portions run about 2 to 3 percent of adult body weight a day. Watch your dog, not the scale: you want to feel ribs easily without seeing them. Puppies, pregnant dogs, and dogs with health conditions should be dialed in with your vet.

Reading the cut sheet

The 2 to 3 percent rule, plainly

2%

Slim it down

Low-key adults, seniors, and dogs carrying a few extra pounds do well toward the lighter end. Easier does it.

2.5%

Hold steady

The everyday adult in good shape. Most dogs settle right around here once they are switched over and thriving.

3%+

Fuel the engine

Hard-charging, high-drive, or hard-keeping dogs burn more. Puppies eat well above this and taper as they grow.

Today's special · on the board

The 10-day switch

Most dogs move to raw without drama. Ease the gut over from kibble across about ten days, letting their system catch up to real food.

1Day 1–2
75% old food · 25% raw
A small first taste. Feed the meal a little smaller than usual and keep water topped up.
3Day 3–4
50% old food · 50% raw
Even split. Stools may soften for a day or two. That is the gut recalibrating, not a problem.
5Day 5–7
25% old food · 75% raw
Raw is now the main event. Most dogs are eating with real enthusiasm by here.
8Day 8–10
100% raw
Fully switched. Settle on one of our recipes, then start rotating proteins from there.

Iron-gut dogs

Plenty of healthy adults switch cold, in a single meal, no trouble. If your dog has a hardy stomach, fast them for one meal, then serve raw straight. Watch the stool and you are off.

A few pointers

  • Feed raw and kibble as separate meals, morning and night, rather than mixed in one bowl.
  • Thaw a day's food in the fridge, never on the counter.
  • Start with one protein. Add variety once things are steady.
  • Loose stool the first few days is common. Firm bones like our smoked beef bones help.

First week, no surprises

What's normal, what's not

Softer stool for a few days

Normal. The gut is adjusting to real moisture and fat after dry food. It usually firms up within a week. Smaller, firmer, less frequent stools are one of the first wins people notice.

My dog seems extra thirsty, or less

Also normal. Raw food carries a lot of moisture that kibble does not, so many dogs drink less at the bowl. Always leave fresh water out regardless.

They gulp the bones

Our grinds already include finely ground bone, so there is nothing to gulp. Whole chews like marrow or smoked bones are for supervised gnawing, not swallowing. Match the chew to your dog's size and take away worn-down pieces.

How much variety, how fast?

Get one protein steady first. Then rotate. Variety across the month gives a broader nutrient spread and keeps picky dogs interested. Our Combo Box and Novel Protein Bundle are built for exactly this.

Puppies and raw

Puppies do great on raw but eat well above the adult rate and change fast as they grow. Use the puppy setting on the scale as a starting point and check growth with your vet.

When to call the vet

Persistent vomiting, stool that stays loose past a week, lethargy, or any known health condition. Raw suits most dogs, but your vet knows yours.

Stock the freezer

Feed them the way the butcher feeds his own hound.

Six organs in every grind, fresh-ground bone, no HPP, no synthetic premixes. Ground in small batches and shipped frozen from our shop.

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The Butcher's Hound

A real butcher shop making raw dog food the honest way. Ground fresh at Montgomery Meats in Ladoga, Indiana, from locally raised, Midwest family-farmed meat. Over 40 years behind the counter.

Locally raised meat · Small batch · Just for pets

This calculator and guide are educational and are not veterinary advice. Portion figures are general starting points based on body weight and should be adjusted to your dog's body condition and activity. Consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet, especially for puppies, seniors, pregnant or nursing dogs, or any dog with a health condition.

Keep learning

New to raw feeding? Start here.