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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Chinook

The Chinook was bred to haul heavy loads over long distances as a sled dog, which means a powerful, athletic, large-breed body that runs on real fuel — and joints that carry that workload for a decade or more.

Here is exactly how to feed a Chinook on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that protects their joints, their dense double coat, and their working muscle.

  • Adult weight55–90 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyModerate to High
  • Lifespan10–15 years
  • CoatDense tawny double coat — seasonal shedder
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A healthy Chinook
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Chinook's body needs

Every Chinook trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Powerful working-sled build

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels the lean, weight-bearing muscle a Chinook was bred for — steady, all-day energy without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Large breed, hip dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s help calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off developing and aging joints.

  • Thick tawny double coat that sheds

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting coat condition and easing the seasonal shedding this dense coat is known for.

  • Prone to atopy (skin sensitivity)

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can aggravate the itchy, reactive skin some Chinooks are prone to, supporting a calmer skin barrier.

  • Slow-maturing giant-leaning frame

    Needs: Controlled, balanced growth

    Measured raw fed by weight lets a Chinook puppy grow steadily rather than too fast — the single biggest thing you can do to protect those big joints for life.

How much to feed a Chinook

Quick answer: a healthy adult Chinook (55–90 lb) needs about 8.3–13.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
55 lb 8.3 oz 4.1 oz
64 lb 9.6 oz 4.8 oz
73 lb typical Chinook 11.0 oz 5.5 oz
82 lb 12.3 oz 6.2 oz
90 lb 13.5 oz 6.8 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Chinook

For a Chinook we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition.

Rich, muscle-building proteins like Beef suit a hard-working or athletic Chinook, while Salmon adds the omega-3s a thick double coat thrives on; lean Chicken is an easy everyday option. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Chinooks

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Daily support for Chinooks

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Treats Chinooks love

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Feeding a Chinook by life stage

  • Puppy: Chinook puppies are a large, slow-maturing breed and should grow slowly to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals and resist overfeeding — fast growth raises hip dysplasia risk in big breeds.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and workload, not the bag.
  • Senior: Older Chinooks slow down but still carry a big frame. Trim portions to match lower activity, keep protein high to preserve working muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition.

Common Chinook concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaA common large-breed concern. Largely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help support comfort and day-to-day mobility.
  • Atopy (skin allergies)Some Chinooks are prone to itchy, reactive skin. A whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and helps dial down everyday inflammation.
  • EpilepsySeen occasionally in the breed and managed by a veterinarian. A consistent, minimally processed diet with stable nutrition supports overall wellbeing alongside veterinary care.
  • Working muscle & lean weightA sled-bred Chinook runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers — and a lean body protects every joint it stands on.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Chinook: what to know

The Chinook is a big, muscular working breed with a deceptively moderate appetite for its size. Feed to body condition, not to the scale alone: you should feel the ribs easily under the coat and see a waist from above.

Because this is a slow-maturing large breed, weigh portions rather than eyeballing them, and re-check the amount every few weeks — especially as activity rises and falls with the seasons.

Chinook feeding questions

How much should I feed my Chinook?
A healthy adult Chinook (55–90 lb) needs roughly 8–14 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks with activity.
What is the best food for a working or active Chinook?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on rich proteins like Beef, with Salmon for omega-3s, fuels lean working muscle and a healthy coat. Feed at the higher end of the range on heavy-activity days and dial back when the dog rests.
How do I switch my Chinook to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. It is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline and stool as you go.
Does a Chinook need joint support?
Most large working breeds benefit from it. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Chinook lean is the most effective joint protection there is — a hip and joint supplement adds targeted support.
Why does my Chinook shed so much?
The thick tawny double coat sheds year-round and blows seasonally. Daily brushing manages the fur, and the omega-3 fats in whole-food raw support the skin barrier from the inside for healthier coat condition.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.