How much should I feed my dog?

Dog Food Calculator

Enter your dog’s weight and the calories on your food bag to get cups or grams per day and per meal.

Quick answer

To work out how much to feed your dog, divide their daily calories by the kcal per cup printed on the food bag. For example, a neutered 50 lb dog needs about 1,160 kcal a day; with a food of 350 kcal per cup, that’s about 3 cups a day after leaving 10% for treats.

Dog feeding chart by weight (cups per day)

For healthy, spayed or neutered adult dogs, leaving 10% of calories for treats. Most commercial dry foods have 300 to 400 kcal per cup, so the chart shows both ends. Your food will differ; use its own number in the calculator.

Example only. Daily kcal = 1.6 × RER (Merck); cups = 90% of kcal ÷ kcal per cup.
Weight	Daily kcal	Cups at 300 kcal/cup	Cups at 400 kcal/cup
10 lb	348	1	¾
20 lb	585	1 ¾	1 ⅜
30 lb	794	2 ⅜	1 ¾
40 lb	985	3	2 ¼
50 lb	1,164	3 ½	2 ⅝
60 lb	1,335	4	3
70 lb	1,498	4 ½	3 ⅜
80 lb	1,656	5	3 ¾
90 lb	1,809	5 ⅜	4 ⅛
100 lb	1,958	5 ⅞	4 ⅜

How to find kcal per cup on your dog food bag

Look for a heading called “Calorie Content”, usually close to the guaranteed analysis. Under AAFCO rules, the label must state calories as kilocalories per kilogram of food as fed and per familiar unit, such as per cup or per can. Kilocalories (kcal) are the same as the Calories on human food labels.

If the bag lists only kcal per kg, choose kcal/kg in the calculator; it will give grams, which you can weigh on a kitchen scale.

How we calculate how much to feed

First we estimate daily calories the same way as our dog calorie calculator: the resting energy requirement (70 × kg^0.75) multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity. Then we set aside 10% for treats, as WSAVA guidelines suggest, and divide the rest by your food’s calories:

cups per day = food calories ÷ kcal per cup

Cups are rounded to the nearest eighth, and each meal is the daily amount divided by the number of meals you choose.

Why a “cup” isn’t always a cup

Calories per cup assume a standard 8 fl oz measuring cup, filled level. A mug or a heaped scoop can hold much more. Kibble size changes how much fits in a cup too, which is why weighing food in grams is the most accurate way to feed.

Is the feeding guide on the bag too much?

Feeding guides on bags are written for a typical dog, and individual needs can vary by about 30% either way, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Many dogs end up overfed: in a 2022 survey, vets assessed 59% of US dogs as overweight or obese. Start with the calculator’s amount, weigh your dog every few weeks, and adjust. See why it matters in how long dogs live.

Mixing wet and dry food

Divide by calories, not by volume. Wet food is mostly water, so a can holds far fewer calories than a cup of kibble. Choose “Both”, set what share of daily calories should come from wet food, and the calculator gives the matching number of cans and cups.

How much to feed a puppy, senior, or pregnant dog

Puppies: about 3.0 × RER under 4 months and 2.0 × RER from 4 months to adult size. See how big yours will get with the puppy weight calculator.
Seniors: we use 1.4 × RER as a starting point, since many older dogs are less active.
Pregnant dogs: normal amounts for six weeks, then up to about 1.5 times normal over the last three weeks. Track the dates with the dog pregnancy calculator.
Nursing dogs: needs can reach 2 to 6 times RER depending on litter size, so ask your vet.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I feed my dog a day?

Divide your dog’s daily calories by the calories per cup on your food bag. A spayed or neutered adult needs about 1.6 times its resting energy requirement; the calculator above works out both numbers for you.

How many cups of food should a 50 lb dog eat?

A neutered 50 lb adult needs about 1,160 kcal a day. Leaving 10% for treats, that is about 3½ cups of a 300 kcal/cup food or about 2⅝ cups of a 400 kcal/cup food. Check your own bag’s calorie content.

Where do I find kcal per cup on dog food?

Look for the heading “Calorie Content” on the label, usually near the guaranteed analysis. AAFCO rules require it to list kilocalories per kilogram and per familiar unit, such as per cup or per can.

Should I feed by cups or by grams?

Grams are more accurate, because how much food fits in a cup depends on kibble size and how you scoop. If your bag lists kcal per kg, choose kcal/kg and weigh portions on a kitchen scale.

How often should I feed my dog?

That’s up to you and your vet. The calculator simply divides the daily amount into the number of meals you choose.

How do I mix wet and dry food?

Split by calories, not by volume. Choose “Both”, set what share of calories comes from wet food, and the calculator gives cans and cups that add up to the right total.

How much should I feed my puppy?

Puppies need about 3.0 times their resting energy requirement under 4 months and 2.0 times from 4 months to adult size, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Choose the puppy stage above and re-check as your puppy grows.

Is the feeding guide on the bag accurate?

Treat it as a starting range. Bag guides are written for typical dogs, and individual needs can vary by about 30%. Vets assessed 59% of US dogs as overweight or obese in a 2022 survey, so watch your dog’s body condition and adjust.