How much should I feed my dog? Formula and norms table
Feeding the right amount has a surprisingly fuzzy answer. The number on the bag is only a rough guide — it doesn't know your dog's age, whether they're neutered, how active, or whether they're already overweight. More than half of dogs overeat, almost always out of the owner's best intentions.
Short answer: an adult dog needs roughly 55–65 kcal per kg of body weight per day, adjusted for age, activity, and neutering. To convert to grams — divide daily calories by your food's calorie density (on the bag as "kcal/100 g").
How to calculate the daily portion in 3 steps
Step 1 — baseline energy need. Veterinary formula: RER (resting energy requirement) = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75. No need to compute manually.
Step 2 — multiply by age/activity factor.
| Situation | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Adult, neutered, normal activity | 1.6 |
| Adult, intact | 1.8 |
| Weight loss | 0.85 × normal |
| Active / working dog | 2.0–3.0 |
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 |
| Puppy 4–12 months | 2.0 |
Step 3 — convert calories to grams. Daily calories ÷ kcal-per-gram of food = grams per day. Divide across meals.
Weight chart (adult, neutered, average activity)
| Dog weight | Approx kcal/day |
|---|---|
| 5 kg | ~370 kcal |
| 10 kg | ~620 kcal |
| 20 kg | ~1,040 kcal |
| 30 kg | ~1,410 kcal |
| 40 kg | ~1,760 kcal |
| 50 kg | ~2,080 kcal |
Approximate daily calories — always adjust for the specific dog and food.
How to know if the portion is right
You don't need scales — use the body condition check. Run your hands over the ribs: you should feel them with light pressure (like the back of your hand) and see a waist from above. Ribs not findable → reduce by ~10% and recheck in 2–3 weeks. Ribs sharply prominent → add a bit.
Common mistakes
- Treats "don't count." Treats should be ≤10% of daily calories — subtract them from the main portion.
- Portion not revised. Needs change with age, after neutering, and seasonally. Recalculate every few months and after weight changes.
- Feeding "by eye." Use a measuring cup or kitchen scale; "about a scoop" drifts upward over time.
Make it autopilot
PlanMyPet stores your dog's profile and keeps the food portion current as they grow and change weight — plus reminds you about vaccines, treatments, and weigh-ins.
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