How much should a dog eat?
Feeding guides on dog food bags give a wide range for each weight, because they cannot know whether your dog is a couch companion or a hiking partner. Veterinarians start from the dog’s resting energy needs and multiply by a factor for its life stage and activity. This calculator does the same, then converts the calories into cups of your food.
The formulas
- Resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 kcal a day
- Daily energy need = RER × life stage factor
- Food per day = (daily need − treat calories) ÷ calories per cup
Common factors: 1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.8 for an intact adult, 1.2 to 1.4 for an inactive or easily overweight dog, 1.0 for weight loss (applied to the target weight), 3.0 for puppies under four months, 2.0 for older puppies and 2 to 5 for working dogs.
Worked example: a 50-lb neutered adult
- Weight in kg: 50 × 0.4536 = 22.7 kg.
- RER: 70 × 22.7^0.75 = 727 kcal.
- Daily need: 727 × 1.6 = 1,164 kcal.
- Treats at 10%: 116 kcal, leaving 1,048 kcal for meals.
- With a food at 380 kcal per cup: 1,048 ÷ 380 = 2.76 cups a day, or about 1 3/8 cups per meal over two meals.
Daily calories by weight (neutered adult)
| Weight | Daily need | Cups at 380 kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | 348 kcal | 0.82 |
| 20 lb | 585 kcal | 1.39 |
| 35 lb | 891 kcal | 2.11 |
| 50 lb | 1,164 kcal | 2.76 |
| 70 lb | 1,498 kcal | 3.55 |
| 90 lb | 1,809 kcal | 4.28 |
Check the result against your dog
The formula is a starting point. Two dogs of the same weight can need 20% more or less. Weigh your dog every two to four weeks and look at its shape:
- You should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, without seeing them.
- From above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs.
- If your dog gains weight, cut the daily amount by about 10% and check again.
Good habits
- Use a real measuring cup or a scale. A “cup” scoop of kibble can easily hold 20% more than a measuring cup.
- Count the treats. Chews and table scraps add up quickly; keep them under about 10% of calories.
- Puppies change every week. Recalculate as they grow and follow the growth guidance of a puppy food, especially for large breeds.
- Ask your vet before putting a dog on a diet or if it has a medical condition. For weight loss, vets usually aim for 1 to 2% of body weight a week.