How Much Should I Feed My Dog? A Daily Chart by Weight and Age

If you have ever stood over the food bin with a scoop in your hand wondering whether you are giving your dog too much, you are not alone. Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes dog owners make, and it happens gradually enough that most people never notice until the vet mentions it.

This guide gives you a starting point by weight and age, then shows you how to adjust it for your individual dog.

The short answer: start with weight

Most adult dogs eating standard dry food need roughly 2 to 3 percent of their body weight in food per day. Puppies need considerably more relative to their size because they are building tissue, not just maintaining it.

Use this as your opening estimate, then adjust over the following three weeks.

Daily dry food chart for adult dogs

These figures assume a standard 8-ounce measuring cup and a typical adult maintenance formula. Calorie density varies significantly between brands, so always cross-check against the feeding guidance printed on your own bag.

Puppies need more, and more often

A growing puppy burns through calories at a rate that would make an adult dog obese. The rule of thumb is that puppies need roughly twice the calories per pound of body weight compared to an adult of the same size.

• 6 to 12 weeks: four meals a day
• 3 to 6 months: three meals a day
• 6 to 12 months: two meals a day
• 12 months and up: two meals a day for most breeds

Large and giant breeds grow for longer and should stay on a growth formula until 18 to 24 months. Feeding them adult food too early, or overfeeding them during growth, is linked to joint problems later. Browse puppy food formulated for this stage.

Four things that change the number

1. Activity level

A dog that gets two long walks and some off-leash running needs noticeably more than a dog that gets one short walk around the block. Working dogs can need up to 40 percent more than the chart suggests. Low-activity or senior dogs often need 20 percent less.

2. Neuter status

Spayed and neutered dogs have a lower metabolic rate. Many owners keep feeding the same amount after the procedure and are surprised by weight gain a few months later. Reduce by roughly 10 percent and watch the body condition.

3. Food type

Wet food contains far more water, so the volume you serve looks much larger for the same calories. If you feed a mix, the standard approach is to reduce the dry portion proportionally rather than adding wet on top of a full dry serving. Compare options across dry food and wet food.

4. Treats

This is the one almost everybody underestimates. Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of daily calories. If you are doing a training session, take that portion out of the meal rather than adding it on top. Lower-calorie options from natural treats make this easier.

How to tell if you have it right

Forget the scale for a moment and use your hands. This is the body condition check vets use:

• Ribs: you should feel them easily with light pressure, the way you feel the back of your own hand. If you have to press, there is too much fat. If they are visible from across the room, too little.
• Waist: looking down from above, there should be a visible narrowing behind the ribcage.
• Tuck: viewed from the side, the belly should slope upward from ribcage to hind legs rather than running straight across.

Check this every two weeks. It catches drift far earlier than an annual weigh-in.

Common questions

Should I feed once or twice a day?

Twice is better for most dogs. It keeps energy steadier, reduces begging, and for deep-chested breeds it lowers the risk of bloat compared to one large meal.

My dog always acts hungry. Am I underfeeding?

Usually not. Many dogs will eat well past the point of need. Trust the body condition check over the behaviour. If the ribs feel right, the amount is right.

Can I leave food out all day?

Free feeding makes it impossible to spot a loss of appetite, which is often the first sign of illness. It also tends toward overeating. Scheduled meals in a proper bowl or diner give you far better information about your dog.

How fast should weight change?

Slowly. A safe rate is 1 to 2 percent of body weight per week. Faster loss risks muscle rather than fat.

Start here

Pick the figure for your dog's weight, split it into two meals, and run it for three weeks. Do the rib check. Adjust by about 10 percent in whichever direction the check suggests, then hold steady and check again.

If your dog has a health condition, is pregnant, or is losing weight without an obvious cause, talk to your vet before changing the diet.