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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Norwegian Lundehund

Bred to scale Norwegian sea-cliffs after puffins, the Lundehund is a tiny athlete with one outsized quirk: a digestive tract that can struggle to absorb nutrients — which makes what you feed one of the most important decisions you'll make.

Here is exactly how to feed a Norwegian Lundehund on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the gentle, highly digestible nutrition this rare breed's gut depends on.

  • Adult weight12–16 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12–14 years
  • CoatDense double coat — heavy shedder
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A healthy Norwegian Lundehund
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Norwegian Lundehund's body needs

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

  • Sensitive, absorption-prone gut

    Needs: Highly digestible, whole-food protein

    Minimally processed freeze-dried raw is gentle and bioavailable — real meat and organ the gut can actually absorb, with none of the starchy fillers that aggravate a sensitive digestive tract.

  • Lundehund Syndrome risk

    Needs: Easily absorbed nutrients, no fillers

    This breed is prone to protein-losing gut issues. A clean, low-filler raw diet of real meat and organ supports nutrient uptake without taxing the digestive system — always alongside your vet's guidance.

  • Dense double coat, heavy shedder

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, easing the famously heavy seasonal shedding this northern breed is known for.

  • Energetic little athlete

    Needs: Calorie-dense, lean animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and the all-day spring this cliff-climbing breed never seems to run out of — in small, concentrated portions.

  • Natural digger & food-stasher

    Needs: Measured, portion-controlled meals

    Lundehunds love to stash food. Freeze-dried raw is measured dry and fed by weight, so portions stay honest no matter what your dog buries for later.

How much to feed a Norwegian Lundehund

Quick answer: a healthy adult Norwegian Lundehund (12–16 lb) needs about 1.8–2.4 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)
12 lb 1.8 oz 0.9 oz
13 lb 2.0 oz 1.0 oz
14 lb typical Norwegian Lundehund 2.1 oz 1.1 oz
15 lb 2.3 oz 1.1 oz
16 lb 2.4 oz 1.2 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 Norwegian Lundehund

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

Lean, gentle single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit sensitive digestion, while omega-rich Salmon supports that heavy-shedding coat. Just add water and serve in small, measured meals.

Recipes for Norwegian Lundehunds

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Daily support for Norwegian Lundehunds

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Treats Norwegian Lundehunds love

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Feeding a Norwegian Lundehund by life stage

  • Puppy: Feed a Lundehund puppy roughly 5–7% of current body weight across 3–4 small meals a day. Introduce food gently and watch digestion closely from the start — early stool and appetite habits are worth noting in this absorption-prone breed.
  • Adult: This is a small dog — feed modest, measured portions split across two meals, to a lean, visible waist. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity eases with age but appetite usually holds. Keep portions measured and protein high to preserve lean muscle, lean into omega-3s for the coat, and stay alert to any digestive changes.

Common Norwegian Lundehund concerns — and the diet connection

  • Lundehund Syndrome (digestive absorption)The breed's signature concern: a gut that can struggle to absorb nutrients and protein. A clean, highly digestible, low-filler raw diet supports nutrient uptake and is easy on the digestive tract — always managed together with your veterinarian.
  • Sensitive digestionMinimally processed whole-food protein, free of starchy fillers, is gentler on a reactive gut than heat-processed kibble and gives the digestive system less to work against.
  • Heavy seasonal sheddingA dense northern double coat sheds hard; whole-food omega-3 fats nourish the skin barrier from the inside to ease shedding and keep the coat healthy.
  • Energy & lean muscleAn active cliff-climbing breed runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers.

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

Feeding a Norwegian Lundehund: what to know

The Lundehund's defining health concern is its gut. Because the breed is prone to a digestive disorder that hinders nutrient absorption, feeding clean, highly digestible food — and watching closely for changes in weight, appetite, or stool — matters more here than in almost any other small breed.

Feed to body condition, weigh portions instead of eyeballing them, and re-check the amount every few weeks. If you ever notice weight loss despite normal eating, loose stool, or low energy, loop in your veterinarian — diet and this breed's health are tightly linked.

Norwegian Lundehund feeding questions

How much should I feed my Norwegian Lundehund?
A healthy adult Lundehund (around 13–16 lb) needs roughly 2–2.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it's far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Lundehund with a sensitive stomach?
A clean, highly digestible freeze-dried raw diet of gentle single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod, with no starchy fillers, is easy on a reactive gut. Given the breed's risk of digestive disorders, choose food the gut can actually absorb — and work with your vet on any ongoing issues.
How do I switch my Lundehund to raw?
Transition slowly over 10–14 days — a little longer than usual for this sensitive-gutted breed — mixing more Land Animal into the old food each day. Start at the lower end of the range and watch stool and appetite closely.
Why does my Lundehund shed so much, and can diet help?
The dense northern double coat is a heavy shedder by nature. You can't stop it, but whole-food omega-3 fats from raw meals and fish-based treats nourish the skin and coat from the inside, which helps keep shedding and dryness in check.
Is freeze-dried raw safe for such a rare, sensitive breed?
Complete freeze-dried raw is gentle, minimally processed, and highly digestible, which suits a sensitive gut well. For a breed prone to absorption disorders, partner with your veterinarian on diet and monitoring — nutrition is a key part of keeping a Lundehund thriving.

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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.