By Theresa Gibilisco, owner, The Hungry Puppy
One of the questions we get most about Dr. Marty's food is simply: how much do I feed? Getting the amount right matters. Too much leads to weight gain, and too little means your pet isn't getting enough nutrition. Here are Dr. Marty's own published amounts, and how to use them.
What Dr. Marty's food is
Dr. Marty's Nature's Blend (for dogs) and Nature's Feast (for cats) are freeze-dried raw foods made with meats, organs, fruits, vegetables and seeds. Because freeze-dried food is so light and so rich, it doesn't take much by volume, and you can't judge the amount by eye the way you might with kibble.
How to measure
Dr. Marty's charts are in cups of dry food, measured before you add water. Use a standard 8 oz dry measuring cup, filled level. One important thing: a measuring cup does not hold 8 ounces of this food by weight. A level cup of Nature's Blend weighs only about 51 grams (roughly 1.8 ounces). If you feed by ounces on a kitchen scale using a chart written in cups, you'll badly overfeed.
Dog feeding amounts: Nature's Blend Essential Wellness
These are Dr. Marty's published daily amounts for adult dogs on Nature's Blend Essential Wellness, dry, before water. Split the total into two meals.
| Dog's weight | Daily amount (level 8 oz cups) |
|---|---|
| 5 lb | 1/2 cup |
| 10 lb | 3/4 cup |
| 20 lb | 1 1/2 cups |
| 25 lb | 1 3/4 cups |
| 30 lb | 2 cups |
| 40 lb | 2 1/2 cups |
| 50 lb | 2 3/4 cups |
| 60 lb | 3 1/4 cups |
| 70 lb | 3 1/2 cups |
| 80 lb | 4 cups |
| 90 lb | 4 1/2 cups |
Cat feeding amounts: Nature's Feast
These are Dr. Marty's published daily amounts for adult cats on Nature's Feast Beef, Salmon & Poultry, dry, before water. Cats do better on several small meals, so split it into at least two.
| Cat's weight | Daily amount (level 8 oz cups) |
|---|---|
| 5 lb | 2/3 cup |
| 7 lb | 1 cup |
| 10 lb | 1 1/8 cups |
| 12 lb | 1 1/4 cups |
| 15 lb | 1 1/2 cups |
| 17 lb | 1 2/3 cups |
| 20 lb | 1 3/4 cups |
Other formulas, puppies and kittens
Each Dr. Marty formula has its own feeding directions. For puppies, Sensitivity Select, Small Breed, seniors and any other recipe, follow the chart printed on that bag. Healthy Growth Puppy is the Nature's Blend formula made for growing puppies. Pregnant or nursing pets, working dogs and very active dogs often need more, so ask your vet.
Adjust to your pet
Treat the chart as a starting point. Two pets of the same weight can need quite different amounts depending on age, metabolism and activity. After two or three weeks, check your pet's body condition. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer without pressing hard, and see a waist from above. Adjust up or down from there. If your pet is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, talk with your veterinarian.
How to rehydrate
Dr. Marty's directions: add warm water at two parts food to one part water (for example, 1 cup of food to 1/2 cup of water), let it sit for three minutes, then mix and serve. Always leave fresh drinking water out too. It's raw food, so wash your hands and your pet's bowl after feeding and don't leave a rehydrated meal sitting out.
Switching to Dr. Marty's
Dr. Marty recommends a gradual 10-day switch for dogs:
- Days 1 to 3: replace 25% of the old food with Nature's Blend.
- Days 4 to 6: replace 50%.
- Days 7 to 9: replace 75%.
- Day 10: serve 100% Nature's Blend.
Cats can be fussier about a new food, so go slower with them. If a cat stops eating, call your vet...don't wait it out.
Getting Dr. Marty's from us
We carry Dr. Marty food for dogs and cats. Freeze-dried food ships free in the lower 48 on orders over $75, and we offer free local delivery Tuesday through Friday on your town's route day ($20 minimum) across Monmouth County and parts of Ocean, Middlesex and Mercer. Questions about how much to feed your pet? Call us at 732-938-4470.
FAQ
How much Dr. Marty's should I feed a 50 lb dog?
Dr. Marty's published amount for Essential Wellness is 2 3/4 level 8 oz cups of dry food a day, measured before water and split into two meals.
How much Dr. Marty's should I feed a 10 lb cat?
For Nature's Feast Beef, Salmon & Poultry, about 1 1/8 level cups a day, dry, split into at least two meals.
Is a cup of Dr. Marty's 8 ounces?
No. An 8 oz measuring cup holds only about 51 grams (about 1.8 oz) of this freeze-dried food by weight. Measure by level cup, not by ounces on a scale.