How much should you feed your dog?
A typical adult dog needs 25-30 calories per pound of body weight per day.
For example, a 50-pound dog needs approximately 1,000 calories daily, which equals about 3 cups of standard dry dog food.
| Dog Weight | Daily Calories | Cups/Day* |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 275 kcal | 3/4 cup |
| 30 lbs (14 kg) | 600 kcal | 1 3/4 cups |
| 50 lbs (23 kg) | 900 kcal | 2 1/2 cups |
| 80 lbs (36 kg) | 1,300 kcal | 3 3/4 cups |
| *Based on ~350 kcal/cup, moderate activity, neutered adult | ||
Source: AAFCO, NRC, Merck Veterinary Manual
| Age | Meals/Day | % of Adult Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | 4 | 25% |
| 2-3 months | 4 | 35% |
| 3-4 months | 3-4 | 50% |
| 4-6 months | 3 | 65% |
| 6-8 months | 2-3 | 80% |
| 8-12 months | 2 | 90% |
| 12+ months | 2 | 100% |
| Dog Weight | Daily Calories | Cups/Day* |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs (2 kg) | 150-200 kcal | 1/2 cup |
| 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 250-350 kcal | 3/4 - 1 cup |
| 20 lbs (9 kg) | 400-550 kcal | 1 - 1 1/2 cups |
| 30 lbs (14 kg) | 550-700 kcal | 1 1/2 - 2 cups |
| 40 lbs (18 kg) | 700-850 kcal | 2 - 2 1/4 cups |
| 50 lbs (23 kg) | 850-1000 kcal | 2 1/4 - 2 3/4 cups |
| 60 lbs (27 kg) | 950-1150 kcal | 2 1/2 - 3 cups |
| 70 lbs (32 kg) | 1050-1300 kcal | 3 - 3 1/2 cups |
| 80 lbs (36 kg) | 1150-1400 kcal | 3 1/4 - 4 cups |
| 100 lbs (45 kg) | 1350-1600 kcal | 3 3/4 - 4 1/2 cups |
| *Based on ~350 kcal/cup average dry food | ||
The standard veterinary formula for calculating dog food is:
RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75
This formula calculates the baseline calories a dog needs at rest.
DER = RER × Life Stage Multiplier
| Life Stage | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Puppy (0-4 months) | 3.0 |
| Puppy (4-12 months) | 2.0 |
| Adult, neutered/spayed | 1.6 |
| Adult, intact | 1.8 |
| Senior (7+ years) | 1.4 |
| Active/Working dog | 2.0 - 3.0 |
| Weight loss | 1.0 |
Cups per day = DER ÷ Calories per cup
Divide your dog's daily calorie needs by the calories per cup of your specific food.
The amount depends on your dog's weight, age, activity level, and the calorie content of your food. A typical adult dog needs 25-30 calories per pound of body weight. Use our calculator above for a personalized recommendation based on veterinary formulas.
Use the RER formula: 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by an activity factor (1.2-3.0). Our calculator does this automatically using AAFCO-approved formulas.
Divide your dog's daily calorie needs by the calories per cup of your food. For example, a 50-lb dog needing 1,000 calories eating 350 kcal/cup food needs about 2.8 cups per day.
Most adult dogs do well with 2 meals per day - morning and evening. This helps with digestion and maintains stable energy levels.
Puppies need more frequent meals: 4 times/day for puppies under 4 months, 3 times/day for 4-6 months, and 2-3 times/day until 12 months.
Yes! Active and working dogs may need 20-40% more calories than sedentary dogs. Highly active dogs (hunting, herding, agility) may need 2-3 times the normal amount.
Check your dog's body condition: you should be able to easily feel (but not see) their ribs, and they should have a visible waist when viewed from above. Adjust food amounts based on weight changes.
Yes! Neutered/spayed dogs typically need 15-20% fewer calories because their metabolism slows. Our calculator accounts for this.
It varies by brand: 250-350 kcal for light formulas, 300-400 kcal for regular adult food, 400-500 kcal for high-performance formulas. Always check your specific food's label.
Usually yes. Senior dogs (7+ years) often need 15-20% fewer calories due to decreased activity. However, some seniors with health issues may need more. Monitor their weight and adjust.
Yes! Many owners do this. Just calculate the total calories from both types. Wet food is typically 70-150 kcal per 3 oz serving.
Feed 15-20% less than maintenance for their current weight, or use their ideal weight in calculations. Aim for 1-2% body weight loss per week. Consult your vet for a weight loss plan.