Dog Food Calculator: How Much Should I Feed My Dog?
Quick answer: a typical spayed or neutered adult dog needs about 585 kcal a day at 20 lb, 1164 kcal at 50 lb, and 1656 kcal at 80 lb — roughly1.5, 3.1, and 4.4 cups of an average dry food. Puppies need about twice as much per pound.
A starting point, not a prescription. Weigh your dog every 2-4 weeks and adjust by about 10% if they gain or lose weight you didn't intend. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories.
Dog feeding chart by weight
Daily calories for adult dogs, and cups of dry food for a neutered adult at380 kcal per cup.
| Dog weight | Neutered adult | Cups / day | Very active |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 207 kcal | 0.5 | 323 kcal |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 348 kcal | 0.9 | 544 kcal |
| 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 472 kcal | 1.2 | 737 kcal |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 585 kcal | 1.5 | 915 kcal |
| 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 794 kcal | 2.1 | 1240 kcal |
| 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 985 kcal | 2.6 | 1538 kcal |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 1164 kcal | 3.1 | 1819 kcal |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | 1335 kcal | 3.5 | 2085 kcal |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | 1498 kcal | 3.9 | 2341 kcal |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | 1656 kcal | 4.4 | 2587 kcal |
| 90 lb (40.8 kg) | 1809 kcal | 4.8 | 2826 kcal |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | 1958 kcal | 5.2 | 3059 kcal |
How much to feed a puppy
Puppies need roughly 3× their resting energy requirement until about 4 months, then 2× until they reach adult size — per pound, far more than an adult. Feed a food labelled for growth (and for large-breed puppies if your dog will top about 50 lb), split into 4 meals a day until 3 months, 3 until 6 months, and 2 after that. Our breed feeding charts below show puppy amounts month by month.
What will it cost per month?
Turn your dog's daily calories into a monthly budget for kibble, wet, fresh, or raw food.
Open the Dog Food Cost CalculatorFeeding charts by breed
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my dog a day?
For a typical spayed or neutered adult on dry food, roughly: 10 lb dog 0.9 cups, 30 lb dog 2.1 cups, 50 lb dog 3.1 cups, 70 lb dog 3.9 cups, assuming 380 kcal per cup. Foods vary a lot in calories per cup, so use the number on your bag in the calculator.
How is this calculated?
It uses the resting energy requirement formula vets use as a starting point — RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 — then multiplies it by a factor for life stage and activity (for example 1.6 for a neutered adult, 3.0 for a puppy under 4 months), as described in the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines.
How many times a day should I feed my dog?
Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day. Puppies need more frequent meals: about four a day until 3 months, three a day until 6 months, then two. Toy breeds may need smaller, more frequent meals for longer because they are prone to low blood sugar.
Why is my food bag telling me to feed more?
Bag feeding guides are written for a broad range of dogs and often run high. They're also usually based on intact, active dogs. If your dog is spayed or neutered and gets ordinary daily walks, the calculator's lower figure is often closer — confirm by checking body condition every few weeks.
Should I feed based on current weight or ideal weight?
Ideal weight. If your dog is overweight, feeding for its current weight will maintain the extra pounds. Choose the weight-loss option and enter the target weight, and ask your vet to confirm the target first.
Related
Based on the RER × life-stage factor method in the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. General guidance only — dogs with medical conditions need a plan from their vet.