How much to feed a dog
Enter your dog's weight and life stage to get a daily calorie target and the amount to feed, in cups of dry food or cans of wet food. A feeding chart by weight follows below.
Range 2.8 to 3.4 cups
- Daily calories
- 1,076 kcal
- Per meal
- 1.54 cups
- Resting needs
- 672 kcal
Dog feeding chart by weight
The chart updates to match the weight unit, life stage, food type and food energy you choose above. The default shows an adult neutered dog eating dry food of 350 kcal per cup.
| Dog weight (lb) | Calories a day | Dry food (cups) a day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 207 | 0.6 |
| 10 | 348 | 1.0 |
| 15 | 472 | 1.3 |
| 20 | 585 | 1.7 |
| 30 | 794 | 2.3 |
| 40 | 985 | 2.8 |
| 50 | 1,164 | 3.3 |
| 60 | 1,335 | 3.8 |
| 70 | 1,498 | 4.3 |
| 80 | 1,656 | 4.7 |
| 100 | 1,958 | 5.6 |
How the estimate works
The amount of food is daily calories divided by the kcal in one cup or one can. The range shown is 10 percent either side. These are the standard veterinary formulas for resting energy and daily needs.
| Life stage | Factor |
|---|---|
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 |
| Puppy 4 months and older | 2.0 |
| Adult, neutered or spayed | 1.6 |
| Adult, not neutered | 1.8 |
| Prone to weight gain or low activity | 1.4 |
| Weight loss | 1.0 |
Questions
How much wet food should I feed my dog?
Switch the calculator to wet food and enter the kcal per can from the label. Cans differ a lot in size and calories, so use the number printed on yours.
Can I mix dry and wet food?
Yes. Work out the daily calories first, then split them between the two foods. If wet food supplies a quarter of the calories, reduce the dry food by a quarter.
How often should I feed my dog?
Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day. Young puppies usually eat three or four smaller meals.
Is this exact?
No. It is a starting point. Dogs vary by breed, age and activity. Check body condition every few weeks and adjust the amount in small steps.
When should I ask a vet?
For large-breed puppies, dogs with health problems, or any dog that is losing or gaining weight quickly, ask your vet for a feeding plan.
Is my dog overweight?
What about puppies?
Puppies need more calories for growth. See the puppy feeding chart.
How many calories does my dog need?
See the dog calorie calculator.
How much water should my dog drink?
See the dog water intake calculator.
What about cats?
Cats use different life stage factors. Try the how much to feed a cat calculator.
Sources
- Hill's Pet Nutrition, Estimated Energy Requirements for Dogs and Cats (resting energy requirement and life stage multipliers).
Last reviewed 2026-10-26. This page is general information and not veterinary advice.