Feeding & Body Condition
How Much Freeze-Dried Raw Should I Feed My Dog?
AlphaPak · Reviewed by our veterinary and formulation team · Updated July 13, 2026
Feed AlphaPak freeze-dried raw by your dog's weight, using the guide printed on the bag. As a full meal, a dog up to 6 lb eats about a quarter cup a day, a 13 to 18 lb dog about one cup, and a dog over 25 lb about three cups. Fed as a topper over other food, use less. The table below and our Find your recipe quiz give the amount for your dog.
How much freeze-dried raw should I feed my dog?
Feed by your dog's weight. AlphaPak's bag lists a daily amount for each weight range, either as a full meal or as a smaller topper over your dog's current food. A 16 oz bag holds about 15 cups. Start with the amount below, then adjust with your vet based on how your dog looks and feels.
| Dog weight | Full meal / day | Topper / day | Days per 16 oz bag | Bags / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 lb | ¼ cup | 1 tbsp | ~60 | ~1 |
| 7–12 lb | ¾ cup | 3 tbsp | ~20 | ~2 |
| 13–18 lb | 1 cup | ¼ cup | ~15 | ~2 |
| 19–25 lb | 1½ cups | ½ cup | ~10 | ~3 |
| Over 25 lb | 3 cups | ¾ cup | ~5 | ~6 |
These are starting amounts from the bag's guide, not a fixed rule. Very active dogs may need a little more; easy-going or overweight dogs, a little less.
Full meal or topper?
AlphaPak can be the whole bowl, or a topper over another diet. As a full meal, use the larger amount above. As a topper, use the smaller one, a spoonful or so mixed in. Feeding as a topper is a common way to work AlphaPak into a bigger dog's routine: a bag lasts much longer and the cost per day drops. Either way is fine. Talk with your vet about the right base diet for your dog.
How much should I feed a puppy or a senior dog?
The bag's guide is by weight, not by age. Puppies grow fast and usually eat more for their size; older dogs are often less active and may need less. Because the guide doesn't split by life stage, treat it as a starting point and adjust with your vet, especially for puppies, senior dogs, pregnant or nursing dogs, or any dog with a health condition. The recipe finder is a quick way to get a starting plan for your dog.
Why does portion size matter?
Keeping a dog at a lean, healthy weight is one of the most studied parts of canine health. It is also the single habit research links most to a long life. A study of more than 50,000 dogs found that dogs kept at a normal body condition had a longer median lifespan than overweight dogs (Salt et al., 2019). A lean, high-protein food like AlphaPak that you measure by weight makes staying in that range easier.
How long does a 16 oz bag last, and what does it cost per day?
It depends on your dog's size and whether you feed AlphaPak as a full meal or a topper. The table above shows roughly how many days a bag lasts and how many bags a month you'd need as a full meal. Fed as a topper, a bag stretches much further. For the exact amount, days per bag, and cost per day for your dog, use our Find your recipe quiz, or see the full feeding guide.
How do I know if I'm feeding the right amount?
Watch your dog's body condition, not just the scoop. In a dog at a healthy weight you can feel the ribs easily without pressing hard, and there's a visible waist when you look from above. If the ribs disappear under a layer of fat, feed a little less; if they're sharply visible, feed a little more. Re-check every few weeks, and check in with your vet. They can set the right target for your dog and confirm the amount.
Common questions
- How much freeze-dried raw should I feed a 30 lb dog?
- As a full meal, a dog over 25 lb eats about 3 cups of AlphaPak a day, per the bag's guide. As a topper over other food, about three-quarters of a cup. This is a starting amount. Adjust with your vet based on your dog's body condition.
- Can I feed freeze-dried raw as a topper instead of a full meal?
- Yes. Use the smaller topper amount in the guide, a spoonful or so over your dog's current food. Fed as a topper, a 16 oz bag lasts much longer and costs less per day than feeding it as the whole meal.
- Do I measure freeze-dried raw before or after adding water?
- Measure it dry, straight from the bag. The feeding guide amounts are for the dry food. Then add warm water before serving if you like. Adding water rehydrates the food; it does not change how much to measure out.
- How often should I feed my dog each day?
- Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day; split the daily amount from the guide across those meals. Puppies usually eat more often. Your vet can help you set the right schedule for your dog.
Sources
- Salt, C., Morris, P. J., Wilson, D., Lund, E. M., & German, A. J. (2019). Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15367
AlphaPak is a food, not a medicine. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements about nutrition describe the role of whole-food ingredients in supporting normal health and are not a substitute for veterinary care. Individual results vary.