How much should I feed my dog?
The feeding guide on the bag is a starting point, not a rule. Two dogs of the same weight can need quite different amounts, depending on how active they are, whether they're neutered, their age and the food itself. Here's how to get close, then fine-tune.
Quick answer: grams of dry food per day
For an adult dog on a typical premium dry food (about 370 kcal per 100 g), split into two meals:
| Dog weight | Relaxed / older | Normally active | Very active |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 60 g | 69 g | 86 g |
| 5 kg | 89 g | 101 g | 127 g |
| 10 kg | 149 g | 170 g | 213 g |
| 15 kg | 202 g | 231 g | 288 g |
| 20 kg | 250 g | 286 g | 358 g |
| 30 kg | 340 g | 388 g | 485 g |
| 40 kg | 421 g | 481 g | 602 g |
Estimates for healthy adult dogs, based on daily energy need ≈ 70 × weight0.75 × 1.4 / 1.6 / 2.0 kcal. Use your dog's ideal weight, not current weight, if they're over or under. Always check the guide on your food's pack too.
Why the amount changes from food to food
Dry dog foods vary from roughly 330 to over 400 kcal per 100 g. The richer the food, the less your dog needs — which is why a bag that looks expensive can work out cheaper per day. Our calculator does this sum for the foods we track.
Puppies need more — and more often
Growing puppies need a lot more energy for their size than adults, and they should eat a food made for puppies (or for "all life stages"). Young puppies usually have three or four small meals a day, moving to two meals as they grow. Follow the puppy food's feeding chart, which is based on age and expected adult size, and ask your vet at vaccination checks whether your puppy is growing well. The table above is for adult dogs only.
Treats count too
A common rule of thumb from vets is to keep treats and chews to no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories — and to take them off the main meals if you're using a lot during training.
How to tell if you've got it right
- Ribs: you should be able to feel them easily under a thin layer of fat, without pressing hard.
- Waist: looking down from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs.
- Tummy: from the side, the belly should tuck up behind the ribcage.
- Weigh monthly: if your dog is gaining when they shouldn't be, cut the daily amount by about 10% and check again in a few weeks.
If your dog is losing or gaining weight without a change in food, or seems hungry all the time, talk to your vet.
Three tips that save money
- Weigh, don't scoop. Scoops and cups easily add 10–20% — more food, more cost, more weight.
- Compare cost per day. See what it costs to feed a dog in the UK.
- Get price-drop alerts for the foods we track (sign up below).
This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs, not veterinary advice. Dogs with medical conditions, pregnant or nursing dogs and puppies have different needs.