Calculate BARF portions: The right amounts for every dog

The right portion size is the key to success with BARF feeding. Portions that are too small lead to nutrient deficiencies and weight loss, while portions that are too large can cause obesity and digestive problems. After the basics of BARF feeding and the creation of your BARF nutrition plan, we will show you how to calculate the optimal portion sizes for your four-legged friend.

The calculation of BARF portions is based on scientific findings about the nutritional requirements of dogs and takes into account individual factors such as weight, age, activity level and state of health. A precise portion calculation not only ensures an optimal supply of nutrients, but also helps to keep feeding costs in check and avoid wasting food.

Basics of BARF portion calculation

The portion calculation for BARF follows different principles than for ready-to-eat food. While dry food already contains all nutrients in concentrated form, raw feeding requires different components to be combined in the right proportions.

The basic formula for BARF portions is based on a percentage of body weight. For adult, healthy dogs, the guideline is 2-3% of the current body weight as a daily amount of food. A 20 kilogram dog therefore needs 400-600 grams of food per day.

However, this basic formula is only the starting point. Various factors can make considerable adjustments necessary. Biological age, metabolism, neutering, the time of year and individual energy requirements have a considerable influence on the amount of food required.

The daily amount of food is typically divided into two meals. For adult dogs, a split of 40% in the morning and 60% in the evening has proven to be effective. This uneven distribution corresponds to natural eating behavior and supports digestion.

Weight-based portion calculation

Your dog's current body weight is the most important factor when calculating portions. Not only the absolute weight plays a role, but also the body condition and the ideal weight.

Use your dog's ideal weight for the calculation, not the current weight if your dog is overweight or underweight. You can determine the ideal weight by feeling the ribs. These should be palpable but not visible. If you are unsure, a consultation with your vet will help.

Calculation examples for different weight classes:

Small dogs (5-10 kg): 3-4% of body weight, as they have a higher metabolism. An 8 kg terrier needs about 240-320 grams daily.

Medium-sized dogs (10-25 kg): 2.5-3% of body weight. An 18 kg Cocker Spaniel needs about 450-540 grams daily.

Large dogs (25-40 kg): 2-2.5% of body weight. A 30 kg Labrador needs about 600-750 grams a day.

Giant breeds (over 40 kg): 1.5-2.5% of body weight. A 50 kg St. Bernard requires about 750-1250 grams per day.

These guide values are starting points that need to be adjusted individually. Observe your dog's weight development and adjust the portions accordingly.

Age-dependent adjustments

Your dog's age has a considerable influence on its food requirements and requires specific adjustments when calculating portions. Each phase of life has different requirements.

Puppies (8 weeks to 12 months) have the highest energy requirement per kilogram of body weight. They require 4-8% of their current body weight, depending on their age and expected final size. Small breeds reach their final weight earlier and require less intensive feeding than large breeds.

The amount of food for puppies must be adjusted weekly as they grow quickly. In the first few months, the weight can double every two weeks. Divide the daily amount of food into 3-4 meals to aid digestion.

Adult dogs (1-7 years) require the standard amount of 2-3% of body weight. At this stage of life, energy requirements are relatively stable but may vary due to activity levels, neutering or seasonal factors.

Seniors (from 7-8 years of age) often have a reduced energy requirement due to lower activity and a slower metabolism. The amount of food can be reduced to 1.5-2.5% of body weight. At the same time, the need for high-quality proteins and certain nutrients increases.

Important note: You should pay particular attention to the digestibility of senior dogs. Smaller, more frequent meals can ease the burden on digestion and improve nutrient absorption.

Activity level and portion adjustment

Your dog's activity level is a decisive factor when calculating portions. Different activity levels require different amounts of energy and therefore adapted portions of food.

Low activity (couch potato): Dogs that live mainly indoors and only go for short walks require 2-2.5% of their body weight. These dogs tend to become overweight if portions are not adjusted accordingly.

Moderate activity (family dog): Dogs with 1-2 hours of daily exercise require the standard amount of 2.5-3% of body weight. This corresponds to most family dogs with regular walks and occasional play.

High activity (sporting dog): Dogs with intensive training or long walks require 3-4% of their body weight. Agility dogs, jogging companions or working dogs fall into this category.

Extreme activity (working dog): Sled dogs, herding dogs in the field or dogs with several hours of intensive daily work require 4-6% of their body weight or even more.

The adjustment should be gradual. Increase or reduce the portions by 10-15% and observe the weight development over 2-3 weeks. Temporary adjustments may be necessary if there are large fluctuations in activity.

Component-specific portioning

Within the total amount of food, the various BARF components must be portioned in the correct proportions. This distribution ensures a balanced supply of nutrients.

Muscle meat makes up 50-60% of the total portion. For a 20 kg dog with 500 g of daily food, this corresponds to 250-300 g of muscle meat. Vary between different types of meat for a balanced amino acid profile.

Offal should make up 15-20% of the portion, i.e. 75-100g for our example dog. Liver should make up a maximum of 5% of the total portion (25g), other offal can make up the rest.

Raw meaty bones (RFK) make up 10-15%, corresponding to 50-75g. The amount depends on the size of the bones and the calcium requirement. Small dogs need softer bones such as chicken necks, large dogs can manage larger bones.

Vegetables and fruit make up 20-30% of the portion, i.e. 100-150g. Pureed or steamed vegetables are easier to digest. The ratio should be about 80% vegetables to 20% fruit.

These ratios do not have to be adhered to exactly at every meal, but should be correct over the course of a week. Daily fluctuations are normal and even desirable for variety.

Seasonal and health-related adjustments

Various factors can make temporary or permanent adjustments to portion sizes necessary. An attentive dog owner will recognize these needs and adjust feeding accordingly.

Seasonal adjustments are particularly relevant in winter and summer. Dogs that spend a lot of time outside need more energy for thermoregulation in winter. An increase of 10-20% may be necessary. In summer, appetite is often naturally reduced and portions can be adjusted accordingly.

Pregnancy and lactation require considerable adjustments. Pregnant bitches require a gradual increase in the amount of food from the 6th week onwards. Lactating bitches may require 2-3 times their normal portion, depending on the number of puppies.

Illness and convalescence may require temporary adjustments. After surgery or during illness, energy requirements may increase or decrease. Work closely with your vet in such cases.

Neutering often leads to a reduced energy requirement. Most neutered dogs require 10-20% less food than unneutered animals. The adjustment should be made gradually over several weeks.

Practical portioning in everyday life

The theoretically calculated portions must be practicable. Various aids and strategies make daily portioning easier and ensure consistency.

Use kitchen scales: A precise kitchen scale is essential for BARF feeding. Weigh all components individually, especially at the beginning, to develop a feel for the correct quantities.

Pre-portioning: Prepare the portions for several days in advance. Portion meat, offal and vegetable mixtures into separate containers or bags. This way you always have the right amount to hand.

Measuring jugs for routine: After a while, you can use measuring jugs for familiar ingredients. A 250ml measuring cup holds about 200-250g of chopped meat, depending on the consistency.

Create daily plans: Make a note of the calculated amounts for different days and activity levels. This way you don't have to recalculate each time and have reference values in case of fluctuations.

Practical tip: Take photos of the weighed portions with your smartphone. This will help you develop a visual memory for the correct quantities and you can also estimate without a scale.

Avoid common portioning errors

When portioning BARF, mistakes are often made that can cause health problems or undesirable changes in weight. Being aware of these mistakes will help you to avoid them.

Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes. Many dog owners interpret begging as hunger and increase portions unnecessarily. BARF is very nutritious and smaller amounts are often sufficient. Orientate yourself to the dog's physical condition, not its behavior.

Uneven distribution of components leads to nutrient imbalances. Too much meat without adequate offal or bones can cause deficiencies. Stick to the recommended ratios.

Ignoring individual needs is problematic. Every dog is unique and standard formulas are only starting points. Observe your dog and adjust portions accordingly.

Too frequent changes can overload the digestive system. Change portion sizes gradually over several days. Drastic changes can cause diarrhea or other digestive problems.

Neglecting weight control leads to gradual problems. Weigh your dog regularly and carry out a weekly body condition assessment.

TL;DR - The most important points at a glance

• Basic formula: 2-3% of body weight for adult dogs, adjusted according to activity and age
• Puppies: 4-8% of body weight, weekly adjustment necessary
• Seniors: 1.5-2.5% of body weight, more easily digestible portions
• Component breakdown: 50-60% meat, 15-20% offal, 10-15% bones, 20-30% vegetables/fruit
• Note activity level: Sporty dogs need up to 4-6% of body weight
• Regular checks: Check weight and body condition weekly
• Gradual adjustment: spread portion changes over several days

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How often should I check the portion size? Check body condition weekly and weigh your dog every 2-4 weeks. Weekly weight checks are recommended for puppies.

Do I have to weigh each component daily? In the beginning, yes, in order to develop a feeling for the quantities. With experience, it is sufficient to check regularly and weigh if you are unsure.

Can I give the daily ration in one meal? This is possible for adult, healthy dogs, but two meals are better for digestion. For large dogs it reduces the risk of gastric torsion.

How do I know if the portion is correct? Your dog should maintain a stable weight, the ribs should be palpable but not visible, and the feces should be well formed.

What do I do if I have weight problems? If your dog is overweight, reduce the portions by 10-15% and increase activity. If they are underweight, gradually increase the portions.

Are the portions the same for homemade and ready-made BARF? No, ready-made BARF menus often have different nutrient densities. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and adjust if necessary.

How do I take treats into account when portioning? Treats should make up a maximum of 10% of the daily calorie intake. Reduce the main meals accordingly.

What do I do if my dogs have different weights? Calculate individual portions for each dog. Feed separately to ensure that each dog gets the right amount.

How do I portion out several small meals? Divide the daily ration evenly into the desired number of meals. If there are three meals, each meal should contain about 33% of the daily ration.

Do I need to adjust the portions while on vacation? Depending on your activity level on vacation, adjustments may be necessary. More hikes require larger portions, relaxed vacation days can justify smaller portions.

Conclusion: precise portioning for optimum health

Correct portioning is a crucial component of successful BARF feeding. With the basics from our BARF beginner's guide and a well-thought-out BARF nutrition plan, you can create the optimum conditions for your dog's health through precise portioning.

Start with the recommended guideline values and observe your dog closely. Individual requirements may deviate from the standard formulas, and this is completely normal. Over time, you will develop a feeling for the optimal portions and can adjust them intuitively.

Remember that portioning is a dynamic process. Age, health, activity level and even the time of year may require adjustments. Remain flexible and always orient yourself to your dog's current condition. Precise portioning is an investment in the long-term health and well-being of your four-legged family member.