How Much Should I Feed My Dog and How Often?
Post Date:
November 8, 2023
(Date Last Modified: November 13, 2025)
Deciding how much and how often to feed a dog depends on its size, life stage, activity level, and health status.
Why feeding amounts matter
A 9-point Body Condition Score (BCS) scale is commonly used to classify canine body fat and guide portion adjustments for health and lifespan outcomes[1].
Correct portioning affects risk for weight-related conditions such as osteoarthritis, diabetes, and cardiopulmonary stress and helps stabilize behavior and daily energy levels; using BCS together with weight tracking gives practical feedback for adjustments[1].
Calculating daily calorie needs
Estimate a dog’s resting energy requirement (RER) with the metabolic formula RER = 70 * (bodyweight in kg)^0.75 and then multiply by a maintenance factor (MER) based on age, neuter status and activity to get daily kcal needs[2].
Common MER multipliers range from about 1.2 for neutered adult pets to 2.0–3.0 or more for intact, pregnant, lactating, or highly active working dogs, so multiply the RER by the appropriate factor to target kcal/day[2].
Example calculation: a 50 lb (22.7 kg) neutered adult dog has an RER of approximately 70 * 22.7^0.75 ≈ 720 kcal/day and an estimated MER of 1.4 gives roughly 1,000 kcal/day (720 * 1.4 = 1,008 kcal/day)[2].
| Weight (lb / kg) | Estimated RER (kcal/day) | MER – neutered adult (x1.2–1.6) | MER – active/working (x2.0–3.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~210 kcal | ~250–340 kcal | ~420–630 kcal |
| 25 lb (11.3 kg) | ~410 kcal | ~490–660 kcal | ~820–1,230 kcal |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | ~720 kcal | ~860–1,150 kcal | ~1,440–2,160 kcal |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | ~1,050 kcal | ~1,260–1,680 kcal | ~2,100–3,150 kcal |
Reading and using dog food labels
Dog food labels list kcal per cup or per can and a feeding guide that assumes average activity; calculate the kcal per measured serving and compare to your dog’s MER to set portion size rather than relying solely on the manufacturer’s chart[3].
Because moisture content affects weight, convert to a dry-matter basis when comparing foods: kcal per cup can range widely (commonly ~250 to >600 kcal per cup for dry diets), so lower- and higher-density kibbles require very different cup measures for the same energy intake[3].
Portion sizes by life stage
Puppies grow rapidly and typically are fed 3–4 meals per day during active growth phases to meet higher kcal and nutrient needs and to avoid hypoglycemia in small breeds[4].
Adult maintenance portions are set to maintain ideal weight and BCS, often split into two meals daily for routine digestion and weight control, with caloric targets based on MER calculation[4].
Senior dogs may need smaller portions or lower-calorie diets if activity and lean mass decline, while pregnant and lactating females can require up to 2–4 times maintenance kcal during peak lactation and need frequent feeding and monitoring[4].
Size, breed and body condition considerations
Small-breed dogs often have higher mass-specific metabolic rates and may require more kcal per pound than large-breed dogs, so size- and breed-specific MER adjustments help avoid underfeeding or overfeeding[2].
Use the 9-point BCS regularly: aim for a score around 4–5/9 for most adult dogs and alter portions in 10–15% calorie increments if weight changes by 5% or more over a few weeks[1].
Certain breeds have predispositions (e.g., Labradors for obesity, large-breed puppies for developmental orthopedic disease) and may need tailored portion planning and nutrient targets to minimize breed-specific risks[2].
Activity level and lifestyle adjustments
Working or sporting dogs can require 2–3 times the maintenance kcal of a sedate pet, so increase portions and monitor body condition to meet increased energy output without permitting excess weight gain[2].
Short-term activity increases (seasonal hunting, competition events) can be met by raising calories by 10–20% in the days prior and during peak activity and then tapering back to maintenance after the event[2].
Feeding frequency and scheduling options
Meal frequency options include once-daily, twice-daily, or multiple small meals; twice-daily feeding is common for adult dogs to support steady energy and reduce begging, while multiple small meals benefit some geriatrics and many puppies[1].
Free-feeding (food available all day) can lead to overeating in many dogs; controlled meal feeding facilitates accurate portion control, weight monitoring, and training reinforcement[1].
Avoid heavy exercise for at least 1 hour before and after large meals to reduce gastrointestinal upset and, in deep-chested breeds, to lower the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) where practical[2].
Treats, table scraps and calorie accounting
Treats and extras should generally be kept below 10% of a dog’s total daily kcal to prevent unintentional weight gain and nutrient imbalance[1].
- Count treat calories: a small training treat may be 5–10 kcal each, so ten treats could add 50–100 kcal to the daily allotment — track these within the MER target[3].
- Choose healthy low-calorie options like carrot sticks or kibble used as rewards and avoid unsafe human foods such as chocolate, xylitol-containing items, grapes/raisins, and certain fatty table scraps[3].
For training without weight gain, reduce meal portions on days with high treat use so total kcal remains at the daily goal[1].
Special dietary needs and medical conditions
Conditions such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and food allergies require tailored caloric plans and often prescription or therapeutic diets formulated to manage the specific metabolic or nutrient issue[5].
For fluid therapy and clinical calculations, maintenance water needs are often estimated at about 50–60 mL/kg/day for healthy adult dogs, and clinicians use mL/kg/day rules when prescribing fluids or adjusting diets for disease states[2].
Consult a veterinarian for diagnostic work-up and to transition to prescription diets when indicated; therapeutic diets may change recommended kcal and nutrient targets compared with maintenance feeding[5].
Monitoring, adjusting and measuring portions
Weigh dogs regularly and perform a BCS exam every 1–3 months while adjusting portions; aim to change feeding by about 10–15% of daily kcal and recheck weight in 2–4 weeks to assess effect[1].
Use a food scale for precise grams or a marked measuring cup; a packed cup of kibble commonly ranges around 4–5 oz (113–142 g) depending on kibble density, so scales reduce portioning error compared with unmarked cups[5].
If a dog gains weight, reduce daily kcal by 10–20% and reassess; if a dog loses weight unintentionally, increase kcal by similar increments and evaluate for medical causes if weight loss persists[1].
Regular monitoring, careful measuring, and collaboration with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist will help keep portions aligned with your dog’s changing needs.
Practical step-by-step plan to set portions
Begin by obtaining a reliable scale and recording your dog’s weight in pounds and kilograms once per week for a minimum of 4 weeks to establish a baseline trend before making major caloric changes[1].
Next, choose a realistic target: a common safe weight-loss goal is about 1% of body weight per week for most dogs; for a 50 lb (22.7 kg) dog, this is roughly 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) per week[1].
Determine daily kcal target from your earlier MER estimate and subtract calories to create a deficit; a typical approach is a reduction of 10%–20% of current kcal/day to start, then reassess after 2–4 weeks and adjust as needed[2].
Divide the new daily kcal into the chosen meal frequency and measure portions precisely with a gram-scale or a calibrated cup; if the target is 1,000 kcal/day and the diet provides 350 kcal per cup, the daily volume is about 2.9 cups (1,000 ÷ 350) and can be split into two or more meals[3].
Transitioning foods and meal timing
When switching diets, gradually blend the new food with the old over 7–10 days, increasing the new food by roughly 10% each day to reduce gastrointestinal upset and improve tolerance[4].
For large meals, wait at least 60 minutes before intense exercise and avoid vigorous activity for at least 60 minutes after eating in deep‑chested breeds to help reduce GDV risk factors where practical[2].
Measuring tools and conversions
A kitchen food scale that reads to the nearest gram is the most accurate measuring tool; many kibbles range from about 4–5 oz (113–142 g) per packed cup, so using weight avoids cup-to-cup variability between brands[5].
If you must use cups, weigh a calibrated cup once for your specific kibble and record grams
