Guides → Feeding
How much should I feed my dog?
The short answer: feed to your dog's calorie needs, not to a scoop. For a typical adult that works out to roughly 2–3% of body weight in dry food per day — but the accurate way takes about ten seconds of math.
The quick version
Every dog's daily food comes down to two numbers: how many calories it needs, and how many calories are in the food. Divide one by the other and you have the portion. A typical neutered adult dog needs about 95–110 kcal per kg of a smaller dog, less per kg as size goes up — which is why a formula beats a flat "cups per day" chart.
Here's the shape of it for a common dry food (~370 kcal/100 g), assuming a typical neutered adult:
| Dog's weight | Approx. calories/day | Dry food/day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | ~375 kcal | ~100 g |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | ~630 kcal | ~170 g |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | ~1,060 kcal | ~285 g |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | ~1,440 kcal | ~390 g |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | ~1,780 kcal | ~480 g |
These are starting points for an average dog. Your food's calorie density and your dog's activity shift them, sometimes by a lot — which is exactly what the calculator handles.
Why the bag says something different
Feeding guides printed on dog food are averages built to cover a wide range of dogs, and manufacturers tend to err on the generous side. That's part of why an estimated one in three dogs carries excess weight. A number calculated from your specific dog's weight and life stage is usually closer to the mark. When the bag and the math disagree, start somewhere between them and let your dog's body tell you the rest.
Read the body, not just the scale
The most reliable feedback loop is body condition. On an ideal-weight dog you can feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat without pressing hard, and from above there's a visible waist behind the ribs. Feed your calculated portion consistently for two to four weeks, then reassess and adjust in roughly 10% steps up or down.
Meals, treats and the 10% rule
Split the daily amount into two meals for adults, three to four for puppies. And remember treats are food: keep them to about 10% of daily calories so they don't quietly undo the portioning. For a 1,000 kcal dog, that's a 100 kcal treat budget — a few small biscuits, not a handful.
One last practical fix that solves most "my dog is gaining despite careful feeding" cases: weigh portions with a kitchen scale rather than using a volume scoop. Scoops over-pour by 10–20% remarkably consistently.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a 10 kg dog?
Roughly 630 kcal a day for a typical neutered adult — about 170 g of a 370 kcal/100 g dry food, split into two ~85 g meals. Active dogs need more, sedentary or weight-loss dogs less.
Why does the bag recommend more than the calculator?
Bag guides are population averages set generously. A calculation from your dog's own weight and life stage is usually more accurate. If they disagree, start between them and adjust to body condition over a few weeks.
Once or twice a day?
Twice a day suits most adult dogs and keeps energy steadier than one big meal. Puppies need three to four smaller meals. Divide the daily total evenly across whatever number you choose.