Dog Feeding Chart by Weight, Age & Breed Size
Reference amounts for dry kibble by weight band, life stage, and activity — calculated from the NRC 2006 RER formula. Use these as a starting point; adjust based on body condition score.
For a personalized amount based on your dog's exact weight, breed size, food type, and activity: Dog Food Calculator →
Feeding Chart — Dry Kibble Daily Amounts
Based on dry kibble at ~350 kcal/100g (industry average). Cup measure at 120g/cup. Puppy column uses 3.0× RER for small/medium, 2.0× for large breed puppies.
| Weight | Puppy (growth phase) | Adult (low activity) | Adult (moderate) | Adult (active) | Senior (low–mod) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2–4 kg | 137g | 64g | 73g 0.6 cups | 82g | 58g |
| 5–9 kg | 258g | 120g | 138g 1.1 cups | 155g | 110g |
| 10–14 kg | 387g | 181g | 206g 1.7 cups | 232g | 165g |
| 15–24 kg | 378g | 265g | 303g 2.5 cups | 340g | 242g |
| 25–34 kg | 500g | 350g | 400g 3.3 cups | 450g | 320g |
| 35–44 kg | 624g | 437g | 499g 4.2 cups | 562g | 400g |
| 45–55 kg | 752g | 526g | 602g 5.0 cups | 677g | 481g |
All grams. Moderate column highlighted — most common starting point. Actual needs vary by up to ±30% for individual dogs. Neutered dogs: reduce by ~15%.
How to Use This Chart
- 1Find your dog's current weight and locate the matching row.
- 2Select the life stage column: puppy (under 12 months), adult, or senior (7+ years for medium/large).
- 3Choose the activity level. When in doubt, start with moderate. Neutered dogs should start 10–15% below the table value.
- 4These amounts are for kibble at ~350 kcal/100g. If your food's density differs, adjust proportionally: (your food's kcal/100g ÷ 350) × chart grams = corrected grams.
- 5Recheck body condition score (ribs, waist, tuck) after 4 weeks. Adjust by ±10% as needed.
Life Stage Adjustment Summary
Puppy
2.0–3.0× RER
- • 3.0× for small/medium under 6 months
- • 2.5× for small/medium 6–12 months
- • 2.0× for large/giant (growth rate control)
- • 3–4 meals/day under 6 months
Adult
1.4–1.8× RER
- • 1.4× sedentary
- • 1.6× moderate (most dogs)
- • 1.8× active (2+ hrs/day)
- • Neutered: apply 0.85× to above
Senior (7+)
~0.8× adult
- • Reduce calories ~20%
- • Maintain protein — do not reduce
- • Increase omega-3 (fish oil)
- • 2× vet checkups per year
Calibrating Portions with Body Condition Score
The chart is a starting point. Body condition score (BCS) is the ongoing calibration tool. Assess monthly by feeling the ribs and looking from above and the side.
| BCS | What you see/feel | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Ribs visible, bony prominences prominent, extreme waist | Increase 15–20% immediately, vet check if involuntary |
| 4–5 | Ribs easily felt, slight fat cover, visible waist tuck | Ideal — maintain current amount |
| 6–7 | Ribs hard to feel, fat covering, waist barely visible | Reduce 10–15%, recheck in 4 weeks |
| 8–9 | Ribs not palpable, heavy fat deposits, no waist | Reduce 20%, vet evaluation recommended |
Frequently Asked Questions
Daily food intake depends on body weight, age, activity level, and the caloric density of your food. A moderately active 10 kg adult dog typically needs 630 kcal/day — about 180g of dry kibble at 350 kcal/100g, or roughly 1.5 cups. These are starting estimates; adjust based on body condition score over 4–6 weeks. The table on this page provides reference amounts across weight bands; the dog food calculator gives a precise amount for your specific dog and food.
A 30 kg moderately active adult needs approximately 1437 kcal/day, which translates to about 410g of dry kibble (at 350 kcal/100g) or 3.4 cups. A 40 kg active dog may need 1800–2000 kcal/day. Large breeds are prone to obesity — many owners overestimate needs. Measure by weight, not cups, and assess BCS monthly.
Small dogs (under 10 kg) need fewer total calories but more per kg of body weight due to metabolic scaling. A 5 kg adult at moderate activity needs roughly 317 kcal/day = 91g dry kibble. A 3 kg toy breed may need 210–240 kcal/day. Small breeds are more prone to hypoglycemia if underfed — feed 3 meals per day for dogs under 5 kg, especially young adults.
Puppies need 2–3× more calories per kg than adults. A 5 kg medium-breed puppy needs approximately 594 kcal/day vs 317 kcal for an adult of the same weight. Divide into 3–4 meals per day for puppies under 6 months, 2–3 for 6–12 months. Weigh monthly and increase portions as weight increases — puppy weights change rapidly and the chart needs regular updating.
Senior dogs (7+ for medium/large, 10+ for small) typically need 20% fewer calories than active adults due to declining metabolic rate. A 15 kg senior needs approximately 683 kcal/day vs 854 kcal for an active adult of the same weight. Protein should stay the same or increase; calories decrease mainly by reducing fat content. If your senior is losing muscle despite stable weight, increase protein-rich food rather than total calories.
Two meals per day is standard for adult dogs. Once daily is acceptable for healthy adults but may cause bloat risk in large/giant breeds and results in more prominent hunger. Free feeding (always available food) makes portion control and appetite monitoring difficult — not recommended. Three meals per day is appropriate for small breeds prone to hypoglycemia and for dogs with certain medical conditions.
The three-point body condition score check: (1) Rib palpation — ribs should be easily felt with light pressure and slight fat cover. (2) Overhead view — visible waist tuck between ribcage and hips. (3) Side view — slight abdominal tuck. Ribs visible without touching = underfed. Can't feel ribs without firm pressure + no waist = overfed. Monthly weigh-ins confirm the trend. Stable weight within 3% over 2 months = correct feeding.
Measuring by cup introduces 15–25% variability because the same cup holds different gram weights depending on kibble size, shape, and how tightly the cup is packed. A 'level cup' of large breed kibble may weigh 100g; the same cup of small breed kibble may weigh 130g. Over time, this error accumulates significantly. A kitchen scale costing under $15 eliminates this variable and is the most reliable feeding tool.
How These Amounts Are Calculated
All values derived from the NRC 2006 allometric formula (RER = 70 × weight_kg^0.75) and WSAVA MER multipliers. Dry kibble caloric density set at 350 kcal/100g (industry average — actual range 300–420 kcal/100g depending on brand). For precision, use your food's specific kcal/100g from the label with the food calculator.
This guide provides general reference data. Consult your veterinarian for dogs with health conditions, rapid unexplained weight change, or specific dietary requirements.