"How much should my dog eat?" This is the most common question a vet receives. The answer depends on weight, age, activity level, and type of food. Here are precise tables based on the FEDIAF 2024 guidelines.
Calculating caloric needs
RER (Resting Energy Requirement) formula
RER (kcal/day) = 70 × weight(kg)^0.75
Examples:
- 5 kg dog: ~234 kcal RER
- 10 kg dog: ~393 kcal RER
- 20 kg dog: ~661 kcal RER
- 30 kg dog: ~896 kcal RER
Lifestyle multiplier
Actual requirement is RER × multiplier:
- Sedentary neutered dog: × 1.4
- Intact dog with moderate activity: × 1.8
- Sporting dog: × 2.5–3.5
- Puppy (4–12 months): × 2.0
- Puppy (2–4 months): × 3.0
- Senior dog: × 1.2–1.4
- Overweight dog (weight loss): × 1.0 (RER as is)
Portion table in grams (average-quality dry kibble, ~370 kcal/100g)
Neutered adult dog
| Weight | Kcal/day | Grams/day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 327 | ~88 g |
| 10 kg | 550 | ~149 g |
| 15 kg | 743 | ~201 g |
| 20 kg | 925 | ~250 g |
| 25 kg | 1098 | ~297 g |
| 30 kg | 1265 | ~342 g |
| 40 kg | 1582 | ~427 g |
How many times a day
- Puppies 2–4 months: 4 meals
- Puppies 4–12 months: 3 meals
- Adult dog: 2 meals (morning + evening)
- Senior dog with digestive issues: 3 small meals
Never just one meal a day for large and giant breed dogs: risk of gastric torsion (fatal).
How to tell if your dog's weight is right
The Body Condition Score (BCS) runs from 1 to 9. A fit dog scores 4–5/9:
- Ribs are palpable beneath a thin layer of fat (not visible to the eye)
- Viewed from above: you can see a "waist" behind the ribs
- Viewed from the side: abdomen tucks up toward the hips
Common mistakes
- Eyeballing portions: use a kitchen scale
- "They self-regulate": dogs often don't
- Uncounted treats: these should not exceed 10% of total daily calories
- Table scraps: 30 g of cheese = 100 extra kcal
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