How much raw food does a Labrador puppy need? About 5-7% of their current body weight per day at 3 months, tapering to 2-3% by their first birthday. For a 25 lb, 3 month old Lab, that’s roughly 1.4 lb of raw food a day, split into 4 meals.
I raised my Labrador puppy Pepper on raw dog food from the day she moved in at 3 months old, and I documented every month until she turned one. Below, you’ll find a Lab puppy feeding chart by age and weight, a simple feeding schedule, and Pepper’s real numbers, month by month.
And it’s not just my biased opinion as a raw feeder. A large Finnish observational study on puppy diet and allergy risk found that puppies raised on a raw meat-based diet were healthier and significantly less likely to develop allergies later in life than puppies fed kibble.
Experienced breeders have been seeing the same thing in real life for years. One of them is a longtime breeder who feeds raw food to their Labradors from an early age.
As for me, I’ve been raw feeding since 2015, started making my own meals in 2016, and in 2020 I completed a raw feeding course led by veterinarian Dr. Marion Smart and Labrador breeder Dana Scott. Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of new raw feeders learn how to nourish the dog in front of them. And today, I work for one of the leading raw dog food brands in Germany, BARFER’S, where I specialize in raw feeding content.
The beauty of starting a puppy on raw meals is that you can feed them raw right away without a transition phase – unlike most adult dogs, who go through 4 phases when they transition to raw.
So in this series, you’ll see how her puppy feeding needs change as she grows, how I calculate daily portions, and which proteins and whole foods I introduce along the way. Want to see what percentage applies to your own puppy?
Whether you’re new to raw feeding or just curious how much raw food to feed your Labrador puppy and how to adjust as they grow, you’ll find real-life examples here!
What You’ll Learn In This Puppy Raw Feeding Series
- How raw feeding percentages change as a puppy grows
- How to calculate daily amounts for a Lab puppy
- When to adjust proteins, bone, and organ ratios
- Real examples of whole prey, raw meaty bones, and balanced meals for puppies and young Labs
- Practical feeding tips from 3 months through 12 months
Labrador Puppy Feeding Chart by Age and Weight
This chart shows the expected growth curve for a female Labrador puppy and how much raw food she needs at each age. The percentages are the same ones my free raw dog food calculator uses for large breed puppies. They’re based on current weight, and they drop as your puppy grows.
The daily amounts are for a typically active puppy. Calm puppies land closer to the low end of the range, very active ones closer to the top. Male Labs usually grow a little bigger, so they’ll eat a little more.
Use it as a reference point, but keep in mind that individual puppies may grow faster or slower depending on their genetics, activity level, and overall health. You’ll see Pepper’s actual growth chart further down.
| Puppy Age | Expected Weight | Feeding % / Daily Food |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 25 lb / 11.5 kg | 5-7% / 1.4 lb = 650 g |
| 4 months | 30 lb / 13.6 kg | 4-6% / 1.4 lb = 630 g |
| 5 months | 35 lb / 15.8 kg | 3.5-5% / 1.4 lb = 630 g |
| 6 months | 40 lb / 18.1 kg | 3-4% / 1.3 lb = 600 g |
| 7 months | 45 lb / 20.5 kg | 2.8-3.8% / 1.4 lb = 650 g |
| 8 months | 50 lb / 22.7 kg | 2.7-3.7% / 1.5 lb = 680 g |
| 9 months | 55 lb / 25 kg | 2.5-3.5% / 1.6 lb = 710 g |
| 10 months | 60 lb / 27.2 kg | 2.3-3.3% / 1.6 lb = 720 g |
| 11 months | 65 lb / 29.5 kg | 2.2-3.2% / 1.6 lb = 740 g |
| 12 months | 70 lb / 31.8 kg | 2-3% / 1.6 lb = 740 g |
Labrador Puppy Feeding Schedule: How Many Meals a Day?
Split the daily amount into smaller meals while your puppy is young:
- Up to 16 weeks: 4 meals a day
- 4 to 6 months: 3 meals a day
- From 6 months: 2 meals a day, which I stick with for adult Labs, too
How much raw food does your Lab puppy need?
Puppies eat a percentage of their current weight, and that percentage drops as they grow. Enter your Lab’s age and weight for a quick daily estimate, then see the full breakdown into muscle meat, bone, organs, fish and plant matter.
- Uses the same puppy percentages as the chart above
- BARF or PMR for puppies from 2 to 12 months
- Daily, per-meal and weekly amounts you can print
Pepper’s Growth – From 3 to 12 Months
Every puppy grows at their own pace, so Pepper’s numbers are just one example.
Your Labrador puppy’s daily raw food amount will depend on their individual weight and body condition, which means their portions may be slightly higher or lower than Pepper’s.
Pepper’s Actual Growth Chart & Daily Raw Dog Food Amounts
Here’s what Pepper actually weighed and ate each month, from the day she moved in until her first birthday.
| Pepper’s Age | Actual Weight | Feeding % / Daily Food |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 26.5 lb / 12 kg | 9.5 / 2.5 lb = 1.1 kg |
| 4 months | 33 lb / 15 kg | 9 / 3 lb = 1.35 kg |
| 5 months | 39.7 lb / 18 kg | 8 / 3.2 lb = 1.4 kg |
| 6 months | 47.8 lb / 21.7 kg | 6 / 2.87 lb = 1.3 kg |
| 7 months | 51.5 lb / 23.4 kg | 5.5 / 2.82 lb = 1.28 kg |
| 8 months | 54 lb / 24.5 kg | 5 / 2.65 lb = 1.2 kg |
| 9 months | 56 lb / 25.5 kg | 3.5 / 1.9 lb = 900 g |
| 10 months | 59 lb / 26.7 kg | 3 / 1.76 lb = 800 g |
| 11 months | 57.3 lb / 26 kg | 3 / 1.55 lb = 700 g |
| 12 months | 59.5 lb / 27 kg | 2.5 / 1.5 lb = 675 g |
You’ll notice Pepper ate quite a bit more than the chart above during her first few months. When she moved in, I went with the higher puppy percentages I was using at the time, and I lowered them step by step while keeping an eye on her body condition.
Since then, I’ve updated my puppy numbers, and they’re what the chart above and my calculator use today. If I started a Lab puppy now, I’d begin with those ranges and adjust based on how my puppy looks and feels: a visible waist and ribs you can feel with light pressure.
Wondering How Much to Feed as Your Puppy Grows? Use the Free Calculator
Get an instant ratio breakdown for muscle meat, bone, organs, and plant matter, adjusted for your puppy’s exact age from 8 weeks to 12 months. Works for BARF or PMR.
Try the Free CalculatorMy Monthly Raw Feeding Updates
Month 3 – Calculating Her First Ratios
This month has been all about figuring out raw feeding with my new Labrador puppy, Pepper.
At 3 months old, she’s keeping me busy with multiple daily meals, learning to crunch her first raw meaty bones, and even trying out a bit of whole prey.
In this post, I walk you through how I calculate her food amounts, share what a day of meals looks like, and chat about the supplements that help keep her growing strong (spoiler: kelp is a big one).
I also rounded up all the proteins Pepper sampled this month along with a few of my favorite puppy moments so far.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 3 months old?
See Pepper’s 3 Month Menu
Month 4 – Portion Adjustments
At 4 months old, Pepper’s raw feeding is shifting as her growth picks up speed.
This month I cover how I adjusted her daily portions, lowered her feeding percentage to keep her trim, and share a real-life example of one day’s meals.
You’ll also find the new foods she tried – from lamb ribs to duck necks – plus highlights from her adventures at puppy kindergarten and a night in a tent in our yard.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 4 months old?
See Pepper’s 4 Month Menu
Month 5 – Feeding Raw At Home & On The Road
At 5 months old, Pepper’s raw feeding is settling into a steady rhythm.
In this post, I walk through how her meals evolved as she hit another growth spurt, including how I balanced fresh meat with dehydrated raw food while we were on the go for 2 weeks in Italy and France.
You’ll also see what a full day of meals looks like now, a picture of the very last puppy tooth she lost, and a few fun milestones from this stage of puppyhood.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 5 months old?
See Pepper’s 5 Month Menu
Month 6 – Upgrading her Stainless Steel Slow Feeder
At 6 months old, Pepper’s raw feeding has officially moved from the puppy growth phase into a more balanced, steady routine.
In this update, I share how much she eats at her new 6% feeding level, the exact ingredient breakdown of her meals, and why I switched her to a larger stainless steel bowl.
You’ll also find fresh photos from our kitchen setup, a look at her favorite raw meaty bones, and the small but meaningful milestones that show she’s turning into a confident young Lab.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 6 months old?
See Pepper’s 6 Month Menu
Month 7 – Meals, Mischief & Milestones
At 7 months old, Pepper is officially in her teenage Labrador phase – still growing, still hungry, but now settling into a more mature raw-feeding rhythm.
In this update, I share her full daily raw food allowance at 5.5%, how I portion her meals now that she’s transitioning to two meals per day, and the exact breakdown of her muscle meat, organs, bone, and veggies.
You’ll also see what’s currently in her slow-feeder bowl, how I’m keeping her lean through this stage, and a peek at her teenage mischief – including some home “renovation work” and an office explosion that happened when I wasn’t paying close enough attention.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 7 months old?
See Pepper’s 7 Month Menu
Month 8 – Growth, Meals & Holidays
At 8 months old, Pepper is no longer a little puppy – but she’s not quite an adult either. Her growth has slowed, her routine feels more settled, and we’re firmly in that in-between adolescent stage.
In this update, I share her current raw feeding amounts at 5% of body weight, a full daily breakdown of muscle meat, organs, bone, fish, and veggies.
Also, a concrete sample meal that shows exactly how I’m balancing her bowl at this stage. I also cover how she’s doing on a true two-meal-a-day schedule – and how that shift has worked for both Pepper and Wally.
Beyond food, this month includes some important developmental milestones: holiday firsts, a possible very mild first heat cycle, and lots of new experiences that signal she’s steadily growing up.
As always, this post reflects real-life raw feeding with a growing Labrador – practical, flexible, and focused on keeping her lean, healthy, and thriving.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 8 months old?
See Pepper’s 8 Month Menu
Month 9 – Less Bone, More Meat
At 9 months old, Pepper is clearly transitioning out of rapid growth and into a more controlled, steady development phase. Her height has mostly leveled out, her structure is filling in, and it’s time to start tapering toward adult raw feeding ratios.
In this update, I share her adjusted feeding amount at 3.5% of body weight, a reduced bone percentage, and an increase in muscle meat to support leaner growth.
You’ll find a full daily breakdown in grams and ounces, plus a detailed sample meal that walks through the raw meaty bone math step by step – so you can see exactly how I’m balancing her bowl at this stage.
I also talk honestly about her current body condition, reduced winter activity, and why small proactive adjustments matter – especially for a growing Labrador.
As always, this post reflects real-life raw feeding: practical, flexible, and focused on steady development, responsible mineral balance, and keeping her healthy as we move closer to adulthood.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 9 months old?
See Pepper’s 9 Month Menu
Month 10 – Lots of Firsts
At 10 months old, Pepper is settling into a steadier growth phase while her raw feeding routine continues to evolve. Her daily portion has now tapered to 800 g (28 oz / 1.76 lb) – about 3% of her body weight – to help keep her lean as she approaches adulthood.
In this update, I share how lowering her bone percentage still affects the rest of the bowl and walk through a full sample meal built around chicken wings as the raw meaty bone source. You’ll see how the bone math works and what I adjust to keep everything balanced.
The post also includes a complete daily breakdown in grams and ounces, along with a few memorable milestones from this month – including Pepper’s first whole prey duck, her first heat cycle, and even her first at-home grooming trim.
Like every update in this series, the goal is to document what raw feeding a growing Labrador actually looks like in real life: practical adjustments, clear feeding math, and small changes that support steady, healthy development.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 10 months old?
See Pepper’s 10 Month Menu
Month 11 – More Travels & Diarrhea
At 11 months old, Pepper is nearly at the finish line of her first year, and her raw feeding routine is starting to look a lot more like an adult maintenance diet. Her daily portion has tapered further to 700 g (24.7 oz / 1.54 lb) – still at 3% of her body weight, but adjusted down as her weight dropped slightly to 26 kg.
This month’s sample meal is the simplest one in the series so far: a whole prey ground blend as the base, topped up with some more muscle meat, fish, and pureed plant matter. There’s a reason why I added the extra meat, so read the blog entry to find out more.
The post also covers Pepper’s first taste of Scandinavia, including how I fed her on the road. And it wouldn’t be a Pepper update without a plot twist: we ended up at the emergency vet on Easter Sunday.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 11 months old?
See Pepper’s 11 Month Menu
Month 12 – Happy Birthday, Pepper!
At 12 months old, Pepper is officially an adult dog – and her raw feeding reflects that. Her feeding percentage dropped to 2.5% and her bone percentage landed at the adult standard of 10%, bringing her daily portion to 675 g (24 oz / 1.49 lb) at 27 kg (59.5 lb).
This month’s sample meal is built around chicken wings as the raw meaty bone source, with a small problem I had to solve on the fly – read the post to find out what it was and how I fixed it.
Beyond the bowl, Pepper finally learned to shake paw (with some help from Wally), and she and Wally shared a crate while doing something specific that I’m proud of both of them for! The post also includes a full year-in-review section looking back at every month since she arrived at 3 months old.
Want to learn more about Pepper at 12 months old?
See Pepper’s 12 Month Menu
Supplements & Add-Ons I Suggest For Labrador Puppies
- Kelp for iodine (unless you feed whole prey, as in the entire animal including everything)
- Fish oil for Omega-3s (if you’re not feeding whole raw oily fish and if you’re feeding mostly factory-farmed meat that’s very low on Omega-3s and very high in Omega-6s)
- Occasional probiotics
Puppy Supplies I Recommend
- Olive wood dog chew to help relieve puppy teething pain
- Chewproof stainless steel slow feeder (comes in 3 sizes)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wildfang Olive Wood Chew
✅ Long-lasting
✅ 3 sizes
✅ Helps soothe puppy teething pain
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
FeeDoo Stainless Steel Slow Feeder
✅ 3 sizes
✅ Slows eating
✅ Chewproof
FAQ: Raw Feeding A Labrador Puppy
How many times a day should I feed a Labrador puppy?
Young Labrador puppies do best with 4 small meals a day until 16 weeks and 3 meals a day until 6 months to keep their energy stable and avoid stressing their digestive system.
At 6 months, you can transition to 2 meals a day, which most Labs continue into adulthood.
Personally, I would always stick to 2 meals a day for adult Labradors (and other breeds!) to avoid the risk of bloat.
When can a Lab puppy have raw meaty bones?
Most Labrador puppies are ready to start crunching soft, beginner-friendly raw meaty bones like chicken necks or duck wings around 12 weeks of age, once they have the jaw strength and interest.
Always supervise closely and choose bones that are size-appropriate and not too hard for developing teeth. Pepper also had quail heads and chicken heads at 12 weeks of age.
How do I switch my Lab puppy from kibble to raw?
The easiest way is a straight switch because your puppy’s digestive system hasn’t gotten used to one specific type of food yet. That said, you can start the next meal with raw food rather than mixing kibble and raw in the same bowl.
Do Labrador puppies need supplements on raw food?
That depends on what you feed. If you don’t offer raw fish, you’ll need to add fish oil for the Omega-3 fatty acids. And unless you feed whole prey (thyroid gland included), you’ll need to add kelp for iodine. Muscle meat, organs, fish and eggs don’t reliably cover it.
I recommend you include green tripe and raw goat’s milk or plain goat yogurt 3-4 times per week for gut health.
Follow Along On My Labrador Puppy’s Journey
For more real-life raw feeding with Pepper and Wally, grab my free raw dog food recipes and Sunday newsletter or subscribe to my YouTube channel for feeding videos and behind-the-scenes.
For more raw feeding resources, visit my full homemade raw dog food library.
Related Reading
- Do raw chicken bones scare you?
- Olive wood dog chews for puppies
- Raw dog food for puppies – how much and what?
- 8 dog slow feeders to help your raw-fed dog eat slower
- Easy raw dog food feeding charts and work sheets (adults and puppies)
Barbara Rivers is the founder of K9sOverCoffee and a raw feeding educator with over a decade of hands-on experience.
She has fed raw in the US and Europe since 2015, after her Boxer mix Missy’s cancer diagnosis led her to move away from processed kibble and commit to species-appropriate nutrition.
As a former professional dog walker, she developed deep insight into canine behavior, conditioning, and the essential link between proper exercise and long-term health.
Barbara completed online training with veterinarian Dr. Marion Smart and Labrador breeder Dana Scott and works for one of Germany’s leading raw dog food brands, BARFER’S.
In 2026–2027, she is completing a year-long raw nutrition certification for dogs and cats at THP School, founded by raw feeding pioneer Swanie Simon.
Through her blog and weekly newsletter, she provides clear, experience-based guidance to help dog owners feed raw safely and confidently.