How much should I feed my dog?
Work out your dog's daily calories from its weight and lifestyle, then divide by the calories in a cup or can of your food. This dog food calculator and the chart below use the AAHA's veterinary guidelines.
How much to feed a dog: chart by weight
Daily calories for healthy adult dogs on the AAHA's guidelines, with cups for a dry food of 380 kcal per cup. Foods vary, so use the kcal per cup on your own bag.
| Dog's weight | Neutered adult × 1.4–1.6 | Inactive × 1.0–1.2 | Not neutered × 1.6–1.8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb 2.3 kg | 181–207 kcal 0.5 cup | 129–155 kcal | 207–233 kcal |
| 10 lb 4.5 kg | 305–348 kcal 0.8–0.9 cup | 218–261 kcal | 348–392 kcal |
| 15 lb 6.8 kg | 413–472 kcal 1.1–1.2 cups | 295–354 kcal | 472–531 kcal |
| 20 lb 9.1 kg | 512–585 kcal 1.3–1.5 cups | 366–439 kcal | 585–659 kcal |
| 30 lb 13.6 kg | 694–794 kcal 1.8–2.1 cups | 496–595 kcal | 794–893 kcal |
| 40 lb 18.1 kg | 862–985 kcal 2.3–2.6 cups | 615–738 kcal | 985–1,108 kcal |
| 50 lb 22.7 kg | 1,018–1,164 kcal 2.7–3.1 cups | 727–873 kcal | 1,164–1,309 kcal |
| 60 lb 27.2 kg | 1,168–1,335 kcal 3.1–3.5 cups | 834–1,001 kcal | 1,335–1,501 kcal |
| 70 lb 31.8 kg | 1,311–1,498 kcal 3.4–3.9 cups | 936–1,124 kcal | 1,498–1,685 kcal |
| 80 lb 36.3 kg | 1,449–1,656 kcal 3.8–4.4 cups | 1,035–1,242 kcal | 1,656–1,863 kcal |
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | 1,713–1,958 kcal 4.5–5.2 cups | 1,223–1,468 kcal | 1,958–2,202 kcal |
Resting energy (70 × weight in kg0.75) times the AAHA's life-stage factors, rounded. For a dog at a healthy weight; a starting point to adjust with your vet.
How the dog food calculator works
The AAHA's 2021 guidelines work in two steps. First, resting energy: 70 × body weight in kilograms to the power 0.75, the calories your dog burns at rest. Then a life-stage factor for the energy it needs on a normal day: 1.4–1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.6–1.8 for one that isn't neutered, and 1.0–1.2 for an inactive dog or one that gains weight easily.
A 30 lb dog weighs 13.6 kg, so its resting energy is about 496 kcal. Neutered, it needs about 694–794 kcal a day. With a food of 380 kcal per cup, that's 1.8 to 2.1 cups, or about 1 cup at each of two meals. The calculator also handles wet food, a mix of wet and dry, and the calories you set aside for treats.
Picking the right factor for your dog
- Neutered or not. The AAHA notes that energy needs drop after spaying or neutering, which is why neutered dogs get the lower factor.
- Couch or trail. Sedentary dogs and dogs that live mostly indoors may need less than the factors suggest, the AAHA says. Choose the inactive setting if your dog is a homebody or puts on weight easily.
- Breed. Some breeds, such as Labrador retrievers and beagles, are prone to weight gain, according to the AAHA.
- Working dogs. The AAHA's factors for work run from 1.6–2.0 for light work to 5.0–11.0 for heavy work. Ask your vet; the calculator doesn't cover working dogs.
Whatever the factor, the number is a starting point. Weigh your dog every few weeks and check its body condition, and nudge the amount up or down as needed. That's how the AAHA says calories should be adjusted.
Reading the food label
Dog foods differ a lot in calories, so two scoops of one food can equal one and a half of another. Look for the calorie statement on the bag or can, given as kcal per cup or per can, and enter it in the calculator. Measure with a real measuring cup, not a mug. Count treats and chews too: the WSAVA says they should make up less than 10% of the day's calories.
For puppies, which need two to three times their resting energy, use the puppy feeding calculator. For cats, see how much wet food to feed a cat, or the pet food calculator for both species.
Questions owners ask
How much should I feed my dog by weight?
On the AAHA's guidelines, a neutered adult dog at a healthy weight needs about 305–348 kcal a day at 10 lb, 694–794 kcal at 30 lb, 1,018–1,164 kcal at 50 lb and 1,449–1,656 kcal at 80 lb. Divide by the kcal per cup or can on your food's label to get the amount.
How many cups of food should a dog eat a day?
It depends on the food, because the calories in a cup range widely. A 30 lb neutered dog needs about 694–794 kcal a day; with a food of 380 kcal per cup that's 1.8 to 2.1 cups. Check the kcal per cup on your own bag.
How many times a day should I feed my dog?
The AKC says most owners split an adult dog's daily amount into two meals.
Should I use my dog's current weight or ideal weight?
The AAHA bases its calculations on a dog's ideal weight. For a dog at a healthy weight that's the same thing. If your dog is overweight or underweight, ask your vet for a plan: the calculator doesn't cover weight loss or gain.
Why does my dog gain weight on the amount the bag says?
The factors are general guides. The AAHA notes that sedentary or indoor pets may need fewer calories, that spaying or neutering lowers energy needs, and that some breeds, such as Labrador retrievers and beagles, gain weight easily. Adjust the amount by checking weight and body condition.