FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE
How to feed a Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog was built to swim Portugal's coast all day - an athletic, tireless working dog whose energy, dense curly coat, and joints all trace straight back to what's in the bowl.
Here is exactly how to feed a Portuguese Water Dog on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that fuels their drive, supports their hips, and feeds that famous low-shed coat from the inside out.
- Adult weight35–60 lb
- SizeMedium
- EnergyHigh
- Lifespan11-13 years
- CoatSingle, curly or wavy - low-shedding, grooming-intensive
What a Portuguese Water Dog's body needs
Every Portuguese Water Dog trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.
Tireless working athlete
Needs: High-quality animal protein
83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady, all-day energy for a dog bred to work the water - without the carb fillers that spike and crash.
Curly, low-shedding coat
Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids
Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that signature wavy coat supple and conditioned between grooming visits.
Hip dysplasia risk
Needs: Joint support + lean weight
Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean keeps load off the hips.
Loves the water, in and out daily
Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet
Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed the skin and ear irritation a constantly-damp dog is prone to.
Highly food-motivated and smart
Needs: Clean, single-ingredient rewards
A breed that learns through its stomach deserves real freeze-dried meat as training rewards - so treats reinforce good behavior without junk calories.
How much to feed a Portuguese Water Dog
Quick answer: a healthy adult Portuguese Water Dog (35–60 lb) needs about 5.3–9 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 lb | 5.3 oz | 2.6 oz |
| 41 lb | 6.1 oz | 3.1 oz |
| 47 lbtypical Portuguese Water Dog | 7.1 oz | 3.5 oz |
| 53 lb | 8 oz | 4 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 Portuguese Water Dog
For a Portuguese Water Dog 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.
Fish-forward recipes like Wild-Caught Salmon suit this water-loving, coat-conscious breed with extra omega-3, while lean Chicken keeps active dogs trim and richer Beef fuels the hardest-working days. Just add water and serve.
Recipes for Portuguese Water Dogs
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Feeding a Portuguese Water Dog by life stage
- Puppy: Portuguese Water Dog puppies should grow steadily, not explosively, to protect developing hips. Feed roughly 5-8% of current body weight across 3-4 meals and avoid overfeeding - controlled growth lowers joint strain later.
- Adult: Feed to a lean, defined waist split across two meals, scaling with how active your dog is that week. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
- Senior: Activity eases but appetite rarely does. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.
Common Portuguese Water Dog concerns — and the diet connection
- Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help support comfortable movement in an active, athletic breed.
- HypothyroidismA whole-food diet rich in quality protein and healthy fats supports steady metabolism and coat health; pair feeding with regular veterinary monitoring.
- Skin and coat upkeepA dog that is frequently damp benefits from an omega-rich, low-filler diet that supports the skin barrier and helps keep that dense curly coat conditioned.
- Energy and lean muscleWorking water dogs run 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 Portuguese Water Dog: what to know
A Portuguese Water Dog burns through energy - but their thick curly coat hides the body underneath, so it is easy to miss weight creeping on. Feed to body condition, not appearance: you should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above.
Match portions to activity. A dog swimming, hiking, and training daily needs more than one having a quiet week, so weigh meals rather than eyeballing them and re-check the waistline every few weeks.
Portuguese Water Dog feeding questions
How much should I feed my Portuguese Water Dog?
What is the best food for an active, athletic Portuguese Water Dog?
Does feeding help my Portuguese Water Dog's coat?
How do I switch my Portuguese Water Dog to raw?
Does a Portuguese Water Dog need joint support?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Portuguese Water Dog'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.