Skip to content
Dog Food Chevron
Cat Food Chevron
More Chevron
See Plans & Pricing Account

FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Keeshond

The Keeshond is a medium-sized Dutch spitz wrapped in a thick, mane-like double coat — a moderate-energy companion that thrives on closeness, attention, and a diet that keeps that coat and those joints in top shape.

Here is exactly how to feed a Keeshond on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the omega-rich, whole-food nutrition that supports a plush coat, healthy skin, and comfortable joints.

  • Adult weight35–45 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan12–15 years
  • CoatDense double coat — moderate, seasonal shedder
A healthy Keeshond
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Keeshond's body needs

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

  • Plush double coat, moderate shedder

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that dense silver-and-black coat and easing the seasonal shedding Keeshonden are known for.

  • Hip dysplasia & luxating patella risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s help calm joint inflammation, and a lean body takes load off hips and knees.

  • Moderate-energy companion build

    Needs: Measured, quality protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels steady energy and lean muscle without the carb fillers that pile on weight under all that fur.

  • Weight hidden under heavy fur

    Needs: Precise portions

    Calorie-dense freeze-dried raw, fed by weight, makes portion control easy so a fluffy coat never hides a creeping waistline.

  • Sensitive to calcium balance

    Needs: Balanced whole-food minerals

    Naturally complete raw nutrition delivers calcium and minerals in whole-food form rather than from synthetic overload — gentle, balanced everyday feeding.

How much to feed a Keeshond

Quick answer: a healthy adult Keeshond (35–45 lb) needs about 5.3–6.8 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)
35 lb 5.3 oz 2.6 oz
38 lb 5.7 oz 2.9 oz
41 lb typical Keeshond 6.2 oz 3.1 oz
44 lb 6.6 oz 3.3 oz
45 lb 6.8 oz 3.4 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.

What to feed a Keeshond

For a Keeshond 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 from kibble.

Omega-rich proteins like Wild-Caught Salmon or Cod feed that signature coat from the inside, while lean Chicken keeps calories honest for this companion breed. Just add water and serve.

Feeding a Keeshond by life stage

  • Puppy: Keeshond puppies grow quickly and eat often — feed roughly 5-7% of current body weight across 3-4 meals a day. Don't rush growth; steady, measured feeding protects developing hips and knees.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean body condition you can feel through the coat, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity tapers but appetite rarely does. Trim portions to prevent weight gain hidden under the coat, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and skin-supporting nutrition.

Common Keeshond concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but keeping a Keeshond lean plus joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) helps ease day-to-day comfort and supports the joints as they age.
  • Patellar luxationThis kneecap condition is inherited, yet a lean body condition reduces strain on the knees and whole-food joint nutrition supports the surrounding cartilage and ligaments.
  • Coat & skin healthThe dense double coat depends on good fats — an omega-rich, whole-food diet supports the skin barrier and helps maintain a healthy, full coat through seasonal sheds.
  • Weight managementExtra weight hides easily under all that fur and adds avoidable stress to joints — measured freeze-dried feeding keeps calories honest and the waistline in check.

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

Feeding a Keeshond: what to know

Keeshonden carry a deceptive amount of coat, so their true body condition hides under all that fluff. Feed to what you can feel, not what you see: run your hands along the ribs and check for a waist rather than judging by the silhouette.

This breed does well on two measured meals a day. Because the heavy coat can mask weight gain, weigh portions instead of eyeballing them and re-check the amount every few weeks, especially after seasonal blow-outs or any drop in activity.

Keeshond feeding questions

How much should I feed my Keeshond?
A healthy adult Keeshond (35-45 lb) needs roughly 5-7 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 body condition you can feel through the coat and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Keeshond's coat?
An omega-rich, whole-food diet is the foundation of that plush double coat. Complete freeze-dried raw built on proteins like Wild-Caught Salmon or Cod delivers the natural fats that feed the skin barrier from the inside and support coat health through seasonal shedding.
How do I switch my Keeshond to raw?
Transition over 7-10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Raw is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the body condition through the coat as you go.
Does a Keeshond need joint support?
Many do, given the breed's predisposition to hip dysplasia and luxating patellas. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Keeshond lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
Why is my Keeshond's weight hard to judge?
That thick double coat hides body condition well. Don't rely on the silhouette — feel along the ribs and check for a waist with your hands, and weigh meals rather than eyeballing them so a fluffy coat never masks a creeping waistline.

THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

If your dog won't eat it, it's on us

Try Keeshond's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch
  • "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
Build my dog's meal plan →

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.