The short answer: it depends on your dog's weight, life stage, and how active they are. Here's how to work it out, what a topper looks like versus a full bowl, and how to switch over without upsetting anyone's stomach.
Vets estimate daily energy needs with an allometric formula: daily calories = K × body weight (kg)0.75, where K reflects activity level, then adjusted for life stage and spay/neuter status.
A 40 lb (18.1 kg) very active, neutered senior works out to roughly 1,086 calories a day. A 23 lb moderately active adult lands nearer 600. Our Plan Builder does this instantly and shows the full step-by-step math.
Divide the calories you want from fresh food by the recipe's calorie density:
| Fresh Original Lamb & Veggie | 1,170 kcal/kg |
| Fresh Chicken & Veggie | 1,184 kcal/kg |
| Fresh Original Chicken & Veggie | 1,260 kcal/kg |
| Fresh Lamb & Veggie | 1,465 kcal/kg |
Example: that 1,086-calorie dog on a 50/50 topper takes 543 calories from fresh food. At 1.17 kcal per gram, that's 464 g per day, about 1 lb 0.4 oz, split across two meals. A kitchen scale beats a measuring cup here, because fresh food packs differently depending on how you scoop it.
The 50/50 topper is where most families start. Fresh food covers half the daily calories, spooned over the food your dog already eats. It adds real meat, vegetables, and hydration at roughly half the cost of going fully fresh, and it's the gentlest introduction for a picky eater.
A full fresh bowl gives you complete control of ingredients. Our recipes are intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding, so talk to your vet before making fresh food the entire diet, particularly for puppies, seniors, or dogs with medical conditions.
Dogs' stomachs like slow changes. A gradual switch supports digestion and keeps your dog comfortable:
| Days 1–2 | ~25% of daily calories from fresh food |
| Days 3–4 | ~50% fresh (the topper destination) |
| Days 5–7 | ~75% fresh, if going fully fresh |
| Day 8+ | Your target: 50% topper or 100% fresh |
Slightly softer stool at first is normal. If it persists, hold at the current ratio for a few extra days rather than pushing ahead. Weigh your dog every couple of weeks at first; if they're gaining or losing when they shouldn't be, adjust the fresh portion by about 10% and check again in two weeks.
Fresh food is roughly 66–74% water; dry kibble is about 10%. Comparing the protein percentages printed on the two labels always flatters the kibble, simply because it has less water diluting the number. Two fair comparisons:
These two can point in different directions, and both are still true: a food can be richer per bite yet deliver fewer grams per calorie because its solids are more calorie-dense. The complimentary nutritional analysis included with every A Dog's Hearth plan spells this out for your dog's specific food.
Simple extras that layer nicely on top of a fresh plan: a soft-boiled or scrambled egg two or three times a week for a gentle protein boost, or a no-salt-added sardine once or twice a week for omega-3s. Introduce one new thing at a time, and ask us before adding more than that.
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This guide is general information using standard veterinary formulas, not veterinary advice. Confirm portions with your veterinarian, especially for puppies, senior dogs, pregnant or nursing dogs, dogs with medical conditions, or any active weight-management goal.