How Much Should My Dog Eat?
How much should a dog eat a day? The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. There are numerous concerns that factor into how much and how often dogs should eat, and each pup has their own unique needs. It’s hard for humans to tell exactly what their dogs crave, and it doesn’t help that they like to make us think they’re always hungry (and we get it – those faces are hard to ignore!).
Getting your dog on a proper feeding schedule is crucial to their health, like pet insurance. Too little food each day can cause them to be deficient in vital nutrients that help keep dogs healthy. But too much, and your dog is at risk of becoming obese – and obesity comes with its own set of health risks for pets. The best way to ensure your dog is eating properly is to put them on a regimented schedule of the perfect amount of healthy foods.
What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Dog?
Several factors can impact not only how much food to feed your dog, but also what type of food he needs.
Once you find a complete and balanced food that meets your dog’s individual needs, you can determine how much food to feed him. The dog feeding chart on the back of his dog food package can help guide you.
Dog feeding charts are required on dog food packaging. The layout of the chart, however, can vary from brand to brand.
If you’re switching brands, pay close attention to ensure you’re feeding your dog the correct amount based on his age and weight.
According to Dr. Harris, “Dog feeding charts usually make recommendations for daily intake. So, if you’re feeding your dog more than once a day, you’ll need to divide the amount recommended in the chart between those meals.”
Here’s a sample dog feeding chart similar to the one you will find on any dry dog food packaging:
| Adult Dog Size (lbs) | Dry Food Feeding Amount (Cups) |
|---|---|
| 3 to 12 | 1/3 to 1 |
| 13 to 20 | 1 to 1/3 |
| 21 to 35 | 1-1/3 to 2 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 to 2-2/3 |
| 51 to 75 | 2-2/3 to 3-1/3 |
| 76 to 100 | 3-1/3 to 4-1/4 |
| 100+ | 4-1/4 plus 1/4 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs |
Note: Dog feeding amounts vary from product to product based on calorie content and formula. Consult the feeding chart on the back of your dog’s food packaging. Individual needs can vary, so consult your veterinarian regarding special dietary needs.
How Much Should Dogs Eat Based on Weight
The simplest way to gauge how much your dog should eat each day is measuring out their food based on their body weight. Naturally, smaller dogs need less food than larger ones, but what exactly is the perfect number?
First, it’s important to have an accurate handle on how much your dog weighs and whether their body size is considered small, medium, or large. Not having a grasp on your dog’s weight could cause you to easily under or overfeed your pet.
Below is a recommended feeding schedule for how much and how often dogs should eat a day, based on their weight:
Most pet lovers can spot a toy dog when they see one because, despite their tiny stature, toy dogs have big personalities that always seem to stand out from the crowd. But what exactly constitutes a dog as being a “toy” breed?
Some examples of toy breeds: Pomeranian, Havanese, and Yorkshire Terriers. As a rule of thumb, most toy breeds weigh around 10 pounds.
Toy breeds should eat:
Though the line between toy and small breeds is blurred, it’s important to know the difference to make sure you’re giving your pup a proper dog diet. Most dogs that are generally larger than a toy, but still around 20 pounds, are considered small breeds.
Boston Terriers, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and Pugs can all be considered small dogs.
Small breeds should eat:
Medium breeds often require a bit more food than their small friends. Though the term “medium dog” seems a little vague, there are actually quite a few popular breeds that claim the title.
A few examples of medium dog breeds: Australian Shepherd, Bull Terrier, and Collie.
Medium breeds should eat:
Let’s face it: large dogs are easy to spot. And though they can weigh up to ten times more than toy breeds, large pups often like to act like lap dogs anyway. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that these gentle giants put away a lot of food each day.
German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are all considered large breeds.
Large breeds should eat:
Note: Add in an extra 1/3 cup for every 10 pounds if your dog weighs over 100 pounds.
How much should I feed my dog? || Monkoodog
Our mission is to help save dogs and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.
Beth Turner is a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience. She graduated from North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine and following graduation, she began her career as an associate veterinarian and worked closely with the local shelter.
In 2007 she accomplished her dream of practice ownership, designing and building her own clinic. Another meaningful role, while running her clinic, was serving as her countys shelter veterinarian. This gave her the opportunity to help improve the lives of many animals in her community as well as work with the rescue she loved. She sold her practice in 2019 to move across the country.
A note for our readers: If you have an urgent question and are unable to ask your veterinarian, you can use the Ask a Vet service that will give you access to a veterinarian for 7 days for $1.