FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE
How to feed a Mountain Cur
The Mountain Cur was bred to work all day in rough country — hunting, tracking, and guarding the homestead — and that frontier work ethic still drives how this lean, high-energy dog needs to eat.
Here is exactly how to feed a Mountain Cur on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein and joint nutrition that keep a working dog strong, lean, and sound for years.
- Adult weight30–60 lb
- SizeMedium
- EnergyHigh
- Lifespan10–13 years
- CoatShort, dense — moderate shedder
What a Mountain Cur's body needs
Every Mountain Cur trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.
High-drive working dog
Needs: High-quality animal protein
83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady all-day stamina for tracking, hiking and hunting — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.
Lean, athletic build
Needs: Calorie-dense, measured portions
Freeze-dried raw packs real nutrition into a small, weighable serving, so you can dial intake up on work days and down on rest days to hold a lean, sound frame.
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 the hips.
Floppy, fold-over ears
Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet
Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed chronic ear and skin inflammation — a real consideration for a drop-eared, outdoorsy breed.
Short, dense outdoor coat
Needs: Whole-food omega fats
Animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting a healthy coat and skin on a dog that spends its days in the field, brush and weather.
How much to feed a Mountain Cur
Quick answer: a healthy adult Mountain Cur (30–60 lb) needs about 4.5–9 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 weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 lb | 4.5 oz | 2.3 oz |
| 38 lb | 5.7 oz | 2.9 oz |
| 46 lbtypical Mountain Cur | 6.9 oz | 3.5 oz |
| 54 lb | 8.1 oz | 4.1 oz |
| 60 lb | 9 oz | 4.5 oz |
Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
What to feed a Mountain Cur
For a Mountain Cur we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a high-value topper while you transition.
Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit everyday feeding and sensitive stomachs; richer Beef or Venison fuels hard hunting and hiking days or a dog that needs to gain. Just add water and serve.
Recipes for Mountain Curs
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Feeding a Mountain Cur by life stage
- Puppy: Mountain Cur pups grow fast and play hard. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals a day, and avoid overfeeding — keeping growth steady protects developing hips on a breed prone to hip dysplasia.
- Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals — morning and evening. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust up on heavy work days, down on rest days.
- Senior: A slowing Mountain Cur needs fewer calories but still plenty of protein to hold the lean muscle that protects aging joints. Trim portions, keep protein high, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition.
Common Mountain Cur concerns — and the diet connection
- Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients — glucosamine from real bone and cartilage, omega-3 fats — support comfort and day-to-day mobility in an active dog.
- Recurring ear infectionsFloppy, fold-over ears trap moisture; a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and helps dial down the inflammation that infections feed on.
- Working-dog energy & lean muscleA hunting Mountain Cur runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers that burn out fast.
- Weight & joint loadBecause activity swings so much day to day, measured raw feeding makes it easy to keep this athletic breed lean — the single biggest lever for protecting the hips long term.
Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.
Feeding a Mountain Cur: what to know
A Mountain Cur burns serious fuel on an active day and almost nothing on a rest day, so feed to the work in front of them. On big hiking or hunting days they need more; on quiet days, scale back so they stay lean and ribbed-but-not-prominent.
Feed to body condition, not habit: you should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above. Weigh portions instead of eyeballing, and re-check every few weeks as activity and seasons change.
Mountain Cur feeding questions
How much should I feed my Mountain Cur?
What is the best food for a high-energy Mountain Cur?
How do I switch my Mountain Cur to raw?
Does a Mountain Cur need joint support?
How do I keep my working Mountain Cur from getting too lean — or too heavy?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Mountain Cur'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
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.