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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a lean, powerful endurance athlete — bred in Africa to track and hold big game across miles of bush. That working build runs on real animal protein, and like most large hounds, its joints depend on staying lean.

Here is exactly how to feed a Ridgeback on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the muscle, joint and coat nutrition that matches a dog built to run all day.

  • Adult weight65–90 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan10–13 years
  • CoatShort, sleek wheaten — moderate shedder
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A healthy Rhodesian Ridgeback
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Rhodesian Ridgeback's body needs

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

  • Lean, athletic endurance build

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady, all-day stamina — the clean fuel a working hound is built to run on, without carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega-3s help calm joint inflammation. Staying lean is the single biggest lever to protect a large breed's joints.

  • Deep chest, fast eater

    Needs: Measured, easy-to-portion meals

    Freeze-dried raw is weighed dry and served in two calm meals, making it simple to control pace and portion — important for a deep-chested breed prone to bloat.

  • Short wheaten coat, moderate shedder

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that sleek wheaten coat glossy and easing routine shedding.

  • Thyroid-watch breed

    Needs: Whole-food, nutrient-dense diet

    A minimally processed, protein-forward diet supports healthy weight and steady energy — which matters for a breed where weight gain and lethargy can flag thyroid trouble.

How much to feed a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Quick answer: a healthy adult Rhodesian Ridgeback (65–90 lb) needs about 9.8–13.5 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)
65 lb 9.8 oz 4.9 oz
71 lb 10.7 oz 5.3 oz
77 lb typical Rhodesian Ridgeback 11.6 oz 5.8 oz
83 lb 12.5 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback

For a Rhodesian Ridgeback 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. The high, clean protein suits a strong, athletic dog built to hold lean muscle.

Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod keep calories honest for a relaxed family Ridgeback; richer Beef fuels hard-working, field or underweight dogs. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Rhodesian Ridgebacks

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Daily support for Rhodesian Ridgebacks

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Treats Rhodesian Ridgebacks love

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Feeding a Rhodesian Ridgeback by life stage

  • Puppy: Large-breed Ridgeback puppies 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 and elbow dysplasia risk in big hounds.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two calm meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and activity — a field or hunting Ridgeback burns far more than a weekend hiker.
  • Senior: Activity tapers but appetite holds. Trim portions to protect the joints, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and heart-supporting omega-3 nutrition.

Common Rhodesian Ridgeback concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaCommon in large breeds and largely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from real bone and cartilage, omega-3) help slow progression and ease day-to-day comfort.
  • Weight & thyroid healthRidgebacks can be prone to thyroid issues that show up as weight gain and low energy; a measured, whole-food diet supports a lean body and steady weight, making changes easier to spot.
  • Bloat (deep-chested build)A deep chest raises bloat risk, especially in fast eaters. Calm, measured meals fed twice a day — not one large rushed bowl — support safer, steadier eating.
  • Skin & coat conditionThat short wheaten coat shows its health fast; an omega-rich, low-filler whole-food diet supports the skin barrier and a glossy coat from the inside out.
  • Lean muscle & staminaA working hound 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback: what to know

Ridgebacks are quiet, dignified dogs — but they are also notorious counter-surfers with a high prey drive and a real talent for stealing food. Stray human food invites stomach upset, pancreatitis and creeping weight gain, so feed measured meals and keep the table off-limits.

This is a deep-chested breed, so meal pace matters: a Ridgeback that gulps its food is at higher risk of bloat. Feed two calm, measured meals a day and consider a slow-feed bowl if yours inhales its dinner.

Rhodesian Ridgeback feeding questions

How much should I feed my Rhodesian Ridgeback?
A healthy adult Ridgeback (65–90 lb) needs roughly 10–14 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, visible waist and adjust every few weeks based on activity.
What is the best food for an active or working Rhodesian Ridgeback?
A high-protein, complete freeze-dried raw diet built on real meat, organ and bone matches an endurance athlete's needs. Use richer proteins like Beef for field and hunting dogs that burn more, and feed to body condition rather than a fixed number.
How do I switch my Ridgeback to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Ridgebacks usually take to it readily — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline and stool.
Does a Rhodesian Ridgeback need joint support?
Most large hounds benefit from it given the breed's hip and elbow risk. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Ridgeback lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
My Ridgeback eats too fast — does that matter?
Yes. Deep-chested breeds like the Ridgeback are more prone to bloat, and gulping makes it worse. Feed two calm, measured meals a day and use a slow-feed bowl if your dog inhales its food.

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  • 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
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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.