How Much Should I Feed My Dog? Tips, Charts & More

• This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

Working out how much food to give your dog is more nuanced than reading a food label. While the number of cups to feed a dog can be referenced on your dog’s bag of food, the exact amount your dog needs depends on several important factors, such as:

• type of food
• your dog’s breed
• activity level
• body weight
• number of meals
• age
• body condition score

So what is the “right” amount? Rather than estimating by cups, you should calculate how many calories your dog needs every day. We explain how to work that out for your dog’s individual needs and body.

How to Read Dog Feeding Charts (and Calories)

Not all dog food charts have the same cup recommendation for your dog, but reading the tables is pretty straightforward. The easiest way to measure this is to:

1. Determine your dog’s target weight and caloric needs
2. Reference how many calories are in a cup of your dog’s food
3. Divide the portions into the number of meals they eat daily

Like human food, all products contain different numbers of kilocalories (kcal). Thankfully, every dog food product should have nutritional information, including kcal per cup, on the back of the packaging.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommends the following daily calorie intakes for dogs of different body weights.

However, it’s worth noting that these values are still generic estimates. You can also use the average caloric needs for a dog to work out how much to feed your dog.

Pro-tip: Portion the food in a separate container each morning so you don’t have to guess how much they’ve eaten.

How Much Should You Feed an Adult Dog?

When it comes to cup sizes, portions may vary depending on your dog food brand. The most accurate way to dish out noms is using the table above to work out how many calories they need and how much of their calorie intake a serving accounts for.

Here is how calories may translate into cup sizes for an adult dog:

• A 5-lb teacup chihuahua might need around 180 kcal daily. If their food packaging advises a serving of about 360 kcal per cup, you’re looking at about half a cup per day.
• A 95-lb Bernese Mountain dog needs around 1,440 kcal, so would instead chow down on around 4 to 4.45 cups of food with a similar kcal/cup measurement.

However, a dog’s activity level will impact their food intake. Active dogs, such as those who have a bunch of opportunities to exercise like a large yard, plenty of stimulus, or other dogs to play with, need more calories than less active dogs.

According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, the following are average food servings for different sizes and activity levels of adult dogs:

Tips on feeding the right amount:

• Measure food with a scale or by grams: A scale that weighs your food in grams may also help with accurate feeding. Cup sizes can vary by maker, sometimes resulting in accidental overfeeding.
• Slowly increase feeding: If you’re unsure about whether your dog should be eating at the lower or higher end of the recommendation, portion towards the lower end of the recommendation and add a small amount at a time if your dog shows signs of being hungry after their meal. (Try not to fall for begging!)
• Tip on switching dog foods: However, feeding charts are not universal. Dog food brands can vary in calorie count, depending on the brand. This is important to remember if you ever switch dog foods. If the new food has different caloric amounts per cup, you will need to adjust your dog’s meal size to maintain their current weight.
• Ensure the brand meets industry standards: To label dog food that meets the AAFCO’s “complete and balanced” standards, dog food companies must include feeding directions on their packaging. Typically, these are laid out in an easy-to-read table, and daily serving amounts are based on your pet’s weight.
• Treats should be no more than 10% of their daily intake: Plan treats accordingly if you are in a training program to ensure they aren’t getting too many. Consider creative treat ideas, such as baby carrots or blueberries, for overweight dogs that don’t add many calories. Another option might be a pricier but higher value dog kibble that still meets their nutritional requirements but lasts longer as a treat.

No matter the amount you land on, all dogs will benefit from a consistent feeding schedule. Feeding your dog at the same time and place daily will help them feel safe and secure. Plus, it will help them maintain a healthy metabolism.

How Much Should You Feed a Puppy?

A growing pup needs about twice the calories per pound of body weight as an adult dog of the same breed. They’ll transition from their mother’s milk around four weeks. By eight weeks, a puppy should be fully transitioned to puppy food. From then on, puppies will need several well-spaced-out meals every day.

In terms of caloric count, this may look like 990 daily kcal for a 10-lb pup that will grow to a full size of around 33 lbs. Keep in mind, the amount of food a puppy needs will change as they grow.

Tips for feeding your puppy

Remember that the calories per cup can vary depending on what kind of food your dog is on.

• Don’t free feed: Some puppies may whine for more food or be picky about their meal, hoping for more treats. For fussy eaters, take away any leftover food 10-20 minutes after you serve a meal. Dogs who appear hungry can eat an extra quarter of their meal portion.
• Keep it a routine: A typical puppy will eat their meals around 7 am, 12 pm, and 5 pm. Keeping a puppy’s meals to a strict schedule is a key part of potty training. Plus, early meal time will help your puppy sleep through the night without needing a bathroom break. NOTE: If your puppy needs to board with a sitter, it’s crucial to let the caretaker know of your dog’s food and bathroom schedule.
• Don’t panic if they don’t eat. If a puppy misses out by not eating enough at one meal, their hunger will help them finish their meal at the next feeding and learn to eat when the food is available. And because they have frequent meals, they won’t go hungry for long.

When to Feed Your Dog More or Less

While feeding charts are a helpful guide (and a good place to start), they have limitations. Feeding charts don’t consider your dog’s lifestyle and genetics, which both affect feeding amounts.

“Dogs, like people, are all individuals and their caloric needs will vary,” says Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, Veterinarian and Director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Lubbock, Texas.

The following factors can affect whether you deviate from the packaging’s recommendations:

• Weight: If your dog is over- or underweight, their daily intake may need to be changed temporarily until she reaches a healthy weight. Your vet may also recommend switching to a special dog food formulated for weight loss or weight gain. However, don’t simply increase or decrease how much your dog eats without first speaking to a vet.
• Activity levels: On their own, feeding charts are never 100% accurate because they don’t account for your dog’s exercise habits. It makes sense, then, that a high-octane Border Collie might require more food than a sleepy Bulldog. As Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS, a London-based veterinary surgeon, tells us, “A dog that spends time in a kennel, or one who isn’t exercised a lot, won’t need a large amount of calories.”
• Puppyhood: It’s no surprise that all those puppy antics require food with high amounts of protein, fat, nutrients, and calories. A puppy’s growing body needs more calories than an adult dog, with more frequent feedings.
• Adulthood: As an adult dog’s metabolism slows down, his calorie requirements will follow suit. Once your puppy transitions to adulthood, they can usually drop to two meals per day.
• Senior dogs: Older dogs with health concerns might benefit from a special formula diet that delivers the specific nutrients they need. And as they become more sedentary, some senior dogs can transition to once-a-day meals. But always talk to your vet before eliminating a meal.
• Food brands: The average cup of dry dog food can have anywhere from 350-600 calories. Depending on your dog’s calorie needs, you may need to adjust serving amounts to avoid over- or under-feeding your pup.

How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?

For those of us with “live to eat”-type dogs, we need to help our dogs with portion control. For most healthy, adult dogs, scheduled feeding is the best option.

Scheduled feeding

Dr. Whittenburg lays out the following tips for scheduled feeding:

1. Feed your adult dog a minimum of two meals per day
2. Give meals at roughly the same time every day
3. Allow your dog to eat, undisturbed, for 30 minutes
4. Pick up any remaining food

A puppy’s feeding schedule may vary from two to four times daily.

Pet parents should also use scheduled meals for dogs with certain medical conditions, including bilious vomiting syndrome.

“When the dogs don’t eat enough, they’re prone to nausea and vomiting,” Dr. Simon tells us. “Feeding these dogs on a schedule works best and this will usually mean several feedings, including one in the early morning and one last thing at night.”

Once a day feeding

According to Dr. Whittenburg, once a day feeding is not ideal. “As adults, once a day feeding is acceptable if necessary, but pets do better with twice daily feeding. [Once a day feeding] can lead to anxiety and gorging in pets.”

What about recent studies that show benefits of once a day feeding? Dr. Simon fills us in, noting this is for certain dogs. “A recent study has shown that feeding once daily may be better for our dogs and even prolong lifespan. These dogs tended to suffer from orthopedic and gastrointestinal illness less than those fed twice daily.”

Given the differences in veterinary opinion and the need for future studies, consult your own vet before eliminating any mealtimes.

Free-feeding

It’s the easiest way to feed your dog, but for the majority of dogs, free-feeding doesn’t work out. Most vets do not recommend free-feeding.

“Dogs are notorious for eating more than they should, and becoming obese if we give them the chance,” Dr. Simon explains. Free-feeding also presents the risk of spoiling, especially in super hot climates. It can also become problematic in multi-pet households or homes with young children.

Dr. Whittenburg agrees. “Free-feeding not only leads to overconsumption and obesity in most dogs, but it can also make it difficult later in life to switch the dog to scheduled meals if necessary for a medical condition like diabetes.”

One exception, according to Dr. Whittenburg, is young puppies who can’t be meal-fed often enough. Talk to your veterinarian if you believe your dog is an “eat-to-live” type of dog.

How Does Wet or Homemade Food Affect a Dog’s Portion Sizes?

Some pet owners prefer to prepare their own food for their dogs. However, you should consult with a veterinary nutritionist ahead of formulating a recipe. A veterinary nutritionist can make sure your dog gets a balanced serving of the right nutrients. If your dog’s not getting the right nutritional profile, they risk serious health issues further down the line.

As long as you have a thumbs-up from the vet nutritionist, homemade food can have some benefits over store-bought kibble. For starters, homemade food can be more palatable. It’s also customizable, and owners who go this route can feed these foods at all stages of life without transitioning from puppy to adult to advanced-age dog food.

Alternatively, fresh dog food subscriptions eliminate the guesswork of preparing whole foods. These companies create recipes that meet AAFCO standards for nutritionally balanced pet food, so you can be sure your dog is getting the vitamins and minerals she needs.

Wet food can be a pricier option that dogs tend to prefer over dry kibble, but it’s important to note the calorie differences. Usually, canned food has higher fat and protein content, but dry food has more calories per ounce.

Tip: Try using homemade, canned, or fresh food as toppers to your dog’s meal. This is an economical way to boost your dog’s nutrition and their food’s palatability.

Use the Body Condition Score to Check Your Dog’s Health

“When a dog is not the correct weight, we should determine what their Body Condition Score (BCS) is and then calculate their ideal weight,” says Dr. Simon. “We can then alter how many calories they need each day.”

The BCS is a quick survey of your dog’s physique. Based on the BCS, you can gauge whether your dog is getting enough food and exercise:

1. First, your dog should have an “hourglass” figure when you look at them from above. This means that you should see broader shoulders and ribs, tapering behind the ribcage, then widening again at the hips.
2. Second, when looking at them from the side, their ribs should be closer to the ground than the belly. This “tucked up” look is how you see a dog’s natural waist line.
3. Last, the ribs shouldn’t be visible, but you should be able to feel them with your hand with only slight pressure.

Ultimately, the best way to identify your pet’s ideal weight is to speak with your vet. From there, you can devise a healthy weight management plan, including how to manage food portions and scheduling.

Takeaway

Good nutrition is an integral part of your dog’s overall wellness. And figuring out their proper portion size is a big step you can take toward better health. You can also use a pet food calorie calculator like the one provided by the Pet Nutrition Alliance to work out how many calories they need based on their size, breed, age, and neutering status.

This can help you determine if your dog food label has the correct feeding guidelines or if you need to recalculate how many cups your dog needs based on their activity level.

While it can happen to anyone, bringing your dog to a healthy weight is crucial if they have obesity. Untreated, obesity can affect nearly every organ and contribute to shorter lifespans.

Underweight dogs also face potential health problems, such as weakened immune systems and loss of muscle strength. If your dog is overweight or underweight, it’s best to consult your vet for assistance to get them back on track.

Further Reading:

• Decoding Dog Food: Your Guide to What You’re Really Feeding Your Pet
• The 6 Best Natural Dog Treats for Healthy Snacking
• The 6 Best Dog Foods for Picky Eaters