How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

by Katherine Khoo May 15, 2025 7 min read

Feeding your dog the right amount might seem straightforward at first—just check the label on the dog food bag, right? But the truth is, getting it right takes a bit more thought. The feeding guide on the package is a handy place to start, but it doesn’t cover everything. Every dog is different, and there are several important factors that affect how much food your pup really needs to stay healthy and thrive.

Why Food Portions Matter

Portion control is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Feeding too much can lead to obesity. This excess weight is not merely an aesthetic concern; it carries a significant burden on their overall well-being. Obese dogs are at a higher risk of developing a range of serious health issues, including joint problems like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory difficulties, and even certain types of cancer. The added weight puts undue stress on their bones and ligaments, leading to pain and reduced mobility, significantly impacting their quality of life. Furthermore, obesity can shorten a dog's lifespan.

On the flip side, underfeeding can result in nutrient deficiencies, low energy, and a weakened immune system. Without sufficient calories and nutrients, your dog may experience weight loss, muscle wasting, lethargy, a weakened immune system, and a dull coat. Puppies, in particular, are highly vulnerable to the effects of underfeeding, as they require adequate nutrition for proper growth and development. Stunted growth and developmental delays can have long-lasting consequences on their health and well-being. Therefore, providing the right amount of food is not just about maintaining a healthy weight; it's about fuelling their body with the necessary building blocks for energy, growth, repair, and a robust immune system.

The goal is to feed your dog just enough to meet their body needs without overloading them with unnecessary calories. When portions are dialled in correctly, your dog stays at a healthy weight, maintains good muscle tone, and has the energy to enjoy life.

Commercial Feeding Guides: A Starting Point, Not the Rule

Most dog food packaging includes a feeding chart based on your dog’s weight. It might look something like:

1–5 kg: ¾ to 1¼ cups per day
6–10 kg: 1¼ to 1¾ cups per day
11–20 kg: 1¾ to 2¾ cups per day

While these guidelines are convenient, they can’t account for all the variables that make your dog unique—things like activity level, metabolism, breed, age, and health status. Think of the chart as a ballpark figure rather than a strict rule.

So, if you’ve been feeding strictly by the bag and your dog still seems too chubby (or too thin), it’s time to look beyond the label.

Dog food manufacturers create these guides based on the average caloric needs of dogs within a certain weight range. The reality is that individual dogs within that range can have vastly different metabolic rates, activity levels, and overall needs. A sedentary senior dog will require significantly fewer calories than a young, active working breed of the same weight. Relying solely on these guides without considering your dog's unique circumstances can easily lead to over or underfeeding.

Monitor Your Dog’s Body Condition Score (BCS)

The most effective way to determine if you're feeding your dog the right amount is by regularly monitoring their Body Condition Score (BCS) and adjusting their food intake accordingly. The BCS is a visual and tactile assessment of your dog's body fat. A commonly used scale ranges from 1 to 9, where 1 represents emaciation and 9 represents severe obesity. An ideal BCS is typically a 4 or 5.

To check your dog’s BCS at home, try this simple test:

Visual Assessment: Look at your dog from the side and from above. You should be able to see a discernible waistline when viewed from above. From the side, the abdomen should tuck up behind the rib cage. You should be able to see the outline of the last few ribs, but they should not be prominently visible.
Tactile Assessment: Gently run your hands along your dog's rib cage. You should be able to feel the ribs easily with a slight fat covering, similar to how you can feel your knuckles through a thin layer of skin. If you can't feel the ribs or they are buried under a thick layer of fat, your dog is likely overweight. If the ribs are very prominent with little to no fat covering, your dog is likely underweight.

If your dog scores outside the ideal range of 4 or 5, here’s how to adjust their food:

To help them lose weight, start by reducing their daily intake by 10%.
To help them gain weight, start by increasing their daily intake by 10%.

Reassess their BCS every 2–4 weeks and make the necessary adjustments.

Key Factors That Affect How Much to Feed Your Dog

To figure out your dog’s ideal food intake, consider the following six factors:

1. Activity Level

Just like people, more active dogs burn more calories. A working dog, agility competitor, or hyper pup who’s always on the move will need more food than a couch potato. If your dog gets less than 30 minutes of exercise a day, they’re considered low activity. Dogs getting 1–2 hours of active play daily have moderate activity. Working dogs or dogs getting 2 or more active plays daily are considered high-activity dogs.

2. Age

Puppies, adult dogs, and seniors all have different nutritional needs. Puppies grow quickly and need more calories per kilogram of body weight, while seniors may need fewer calories to avoid weight gain as their metabolism slows.

3. Size and Breed

Large breeds tend to have slower metabolisms than smaller ones. A Chihuahua may need more calories per kilogram of body weight than a Labrador. Also, some breeds are more prone to obesity (like Pugs or Beagles), while others tend to stay lean (like Greyhounds).

4. The Type of Food

Not all dog food is created equal. Kibble, wet food, raw, and homemade diets vary significantly in nutrition and calorie density. For example:

Regular adult maintenance kibble typically ranges from 350 to 500 calories per cup. However, there are lower-calorie dog food formulated for less active dogs like this Wellness CORE Grain Free Healthy Weight (Reduced Fat) Dry Dog Food and Acana Senior Dry Dog Food which contain only 372 calories and 399 calories per cup respectively. Wellness CORE has a similar reduced-fat recipe for small breeds – Wellness CORE Small Breed Grain Free Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food, which has 435 calories per cup. Take note that small breeds like Chihuahuas or Yorkies have faster metabolisms than large breeds. Pound for pound, they burn energy more quickly and need more calories relative to their body weight.
Formulas for growing puppies and active dogs typically have more calories too. This Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food (High Prairie Bison PUPPY) has 415 calories per cup.
Wet food may contain fewer calories per gram because of its water content. However, like dry kibble, the caloric content of wet puppy food vs wet senior food can differ significantly.
Cooked and raw diets depend heavily on ingredients used, and the feeding amount can differ significantly from one recipe to another. Raw BARF diets like the Big Dog Barf Raw Dog Food are usually suitable for all life stages. Other commercial brands may have different formulations for different life stages. Some brands like frashfresh Cooked Dog Food is formulated for adults and senior dogs. Others like Petcubes have a different formulas for different life stages.

5. Body Condition Score (BCS)

We’ve already discussed BCS, but it bears repeating: no matter what the label says, your dog’s body tells the real story. Use BCS as your compass, and let it guide your adjustments.

6. Reproductive Status

Pregnant and lactating female dogs have significantly increased caloric and nutritional demands to support the developing puppies and milk production. Their food intake will need to be increased substantially during these life stages, often gradually throughout pregnancy and peaking during lactation. Consult your veterinarian for specific feeding recommendations for pregnant and nursing dogs.

Spayed and neutered dogs often have lower energy needs. After desexing, dogs tend to have a slower metabolism and may gain weight more easily. If your dog has been neutered or spayed, consider decreasing food intake by about 10% and monitoring closely.

Putting It All Together

So, how much should you actually feed your dog? Here’s a simple framework:

Start by following the feeding guide on the food bag, taking into account your dog's weight.
Adjust for age and activity level. A 10% adjustment is usually safe and will not cause harm to the dog.
Use your dog’s BCS to fine-tune. Assess their BCS after 2 to 4 weeks. If they’re too thin or too chunky, adjust their portions by 10-20% and reassess in a few weeks.
Re-evaluate regularly. Dogs' needs evolve as their lifestyle and age change. Make it a habit to check in every 4–6 weeks.

In conclusion, determining the appropriate amount to feed your dog is an ongoing process that requires careful observation and adjustment. While commercial feeding guides provide a basic framework, they should not be treated as a strict rule. Monitor your dog’s BSC regularly and consider their activity level, age, size, and reproductive status. These are essential for creating a feeding plan that promotes optimal health and longevity. Finally, don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian, who can provide tailored advice based on your dog's specific needs and help you navigate the nuances of canine nutrition.