How Much Should I Feed My Dog - Cheka Paws Animal Care

As a dog parent, I am aware One of the easiest aspects of caring for a pet seems to be feeding your dog. You fill a bowl with kibble, set it down on the ground, and watch your dog joyfully eat it.

However, many dog parents, both new and seasoned, are unaware of the levels of complexity involved in this daily practice until something feels “off.” It’s possible that your dog is gaining weight even though they seem to be eating a healthy amount.

Perhaps no matter how much you offer, they will always be hungry. Or perhaps your veterinarian has advised you to alter your diet, but you’re not sure how to figure out how much to eat.

It’s not enough to rely solely on the back of the food bag to determine how much to give your dog. It requires knowing your dog’s age, weight, physical state, metabolism, degree of activity, medical issues, and even the kind of food you’re feeding them. Because no single feeding volume works for every dog, you may hear varied advice from different people.

This thorough guide covers every aspect of figuring out how much food your dog should eat each day. By the end, you’ll be able to clearly respond to this important question for your dog and modify their food as their needs evolve over time.

Why Feeding Amount Matters

Many dog owners believe that what they feed their dogs—kibble, homemade, fresh food, raw, grain-free, or perhaps formulations advised by a veterinarian—is the largest feeding problem. However, the amount of food you eat is just as crucial, if not more so.

Avoiding Weight Issues

Veterinary research indicates that more than 55% of dogs are overweight or obese. The majority of dog owners are unaware that their dog’s weight is increasing until issues like diabetes, arthritis, heart strain, shortened lifespans, and decreased mobility start to arise.

The important point is that small over feedings add up.

For little dogs, even ten extra pieces of kibble a day can result in many extra kg annually.

Supporting Growth in Puppies

Compared to adult dogs, puppies require more calories per kilogram of body weight; however, excessive calorie intake can lead to skeletal issues, particularly in large breeds. A lifelong foundation for health is established by proper eating during growth.

Maintaining muscle mass in seniors

Dogs that are older naturally start to lose muscle mass. Preventing frailty requires feeding the proper amount and making sure there is enough protein.

Fuelling Energy Requirements

Compared to a couch-loving Pug, an active Border Collie requires a lot more energy. Feeding amounts depend on lifestyle more than just size.

Avoiding Nutritional Deficiencies

Malnutrition, poor coat quality, lethargy, and immune system problems can result from inadequate feeding.

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Understanding Calorie Needs: The Foundation of Proper Feeding

In the end, feeding amounts are determined by calories rather than cups, scoops, or conjecture.

What Does a Dog Calorie Mean?

Energy is measured in calories or kcal. Each dog needs a certain amount of energy each day to:

Keep body temperature stable
Encourage the operation of organs
Run, move, and play
Repair tissues
Maintain regular physiological processes

Resting Energy Requirement (RER) and MER: The Two Crucial Formulas

This is the energy required for fundamental bodily processes.

RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 is the formula.
For instance, RER = 70 × (10^0.75) ≈ 395 kcal/day for your 10-kg dog.
Dogs, however, move, develop, and play in addition to lying around. RER is therefore multiplied by an activity factor.
Energy Needed for Maintenance (MER)
Age, lifestyle, and degree of activity all play a role in this.

Dog Type	MER Factor
Neutered adult	1.6 × RER
Intact adult	1.8 × RER
Active/working dog	2.0–5.0 × RER
Puppy (0–4 months)	3.0 × RER
Puppy (4 months–adult)	2.0 × RER
Senior dog	1.4–1.6 × RER
Weight loss needed	1.0 × RER
Weight gain needed	1.2–1.5 × RER

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Factors That Determine How Much Food Your Dog Needs

Age

For growth, puppies burn more calories.
Stable maintenance food is necessary for adults.
Seniors may require more protein but fewer calories.

Body Condition Score (BCS) and Weight

The optimal Body Condition Score is between 4 and 5 on a scale of 1 to 9.

1–3: Underweight
4–5: Well-being
6–9: Obese or overweight

Knowing if your dog is at a healthy BCS is essential for proper feeding.

Level of Activity

Calorie requirements are significantly impacted by a dog’s lifestyle:

Couch potato
Average play level
Breed with high activity levels
Working dog (search and rescue, agility, police)

Status of Spayed/ Neutered

Dogs who have been spayed or neutered often require 10–20% less calories.

Breed

The metabolic rates of several breeds vary:
Faster metabolism in small dogs
Large breeds require more calories overall yet have a slower metabolism.
Sighthounds: Extremely quick metabolism (Greyhounds, Whippets)

Medical Conditions

Certain health conditions raise the requirement for calories, while others lower it:
Reduced calories due to hypothyroidism
Diabetes → Regular, controlled meals
Special diet due to kidney disease
Smaller, more frequent meals due to GI disorders

Type of Food

The calorie density of various foods varies:

Kibble: 300–450 kcal per serving
200–350 kcal per can for wet food
Home-cooked or fresh: varies greatly
Raw food: depends on the recipe
Check the packaging for the number of calories per serving or per cup.

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How Much to Feed Puppies

Puppies require food that is specifically designed for their quick growth.

Feeding Amount Formula for Puppies

Make use of MER
0–4 months: 3.0 × RER
Adult to 4 months: 2.0 × RER

Timetable for Feeding

0–3 months: 4 meals daily
Three meals a day for three to six months
6–12 months: 2-3 meals daily
12 months or more: switch to an adult schedule

Feeding Large-Breed Puppies

These puppies require regulated growth:

Avoid overfeeding
Apply the “large breed puppy” formula.
Avoid consuming too much calcium.
To preserve joints, keep them slender.

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How Much to Feed Adult Dogs

Most owners have trouble with this.

Formula for Adult Feeding

Most adult dogs that have been neutered require:
1.6 × RER = MER

However, modify according to activity:

Couch potato: 1.2–1.4 × RER
Active dog: 1.8–2.2 × RER

Typical Daily Calorie Needs (General Estimation)

Dog Weight	Approx kcal/day

2 kg	140–180 kcal

5 kg	300–400 kcal

10 kg

480–650 kcal

15 kg

640–900 kcal

20 kg

800–1100 kcal

30 kg

1100–1500 kcal

40 kg

1400–1900 kcal

50 kg

1700–2300 kcal

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How Much to Feed Senior Dogs

Older dogs

Reduce your calorie intake
Reduce your muscle mass
could have a slower metabolism
However, senior nutrition is challenging since many dogs lose muscle despite appearing overweight.

Senior Feeding Objectives

Joint support
Give nutrients that are simple to digest
Prevent obesity

Feeding Formula for Senior Dogs

MER = 1.4–1.6 times RER
But keep an eye on:
Changes in weight
Score for muscle condition
Differences in appetite

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How to Read Food Labels for Portion Accuracy

Your dog’s food bag’s feeding chart is a starting point rather than a set of guidelines.

Crucial Details to Search

Kcal per can or cup
Kcal per kg (for fresh or wet food)
Statement of nutritional adequacy
Guidelines for feeding

The Reasons Labels Are Inaccurate

Feeding charts for dog food producers are based on:

Broad presumptions
Perfect circumstances
Average level of activity
They are unable to explain:
- Your living space
- The metabolism of your dog
- Workout regimens

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How to Calculate the Exact Food Amount

Let’s go over a basic example. For instance, a 15-kg adult dog that has been neutered:

First, figure out RER: RER = 70 × (15^0.75) ≈ 530 kcal/day
Step 2: Use MER to multiply
Adult neutered = 1.6 × RER 530 × 1.6 = 848 kcal/day
Step 3: Examine the label on your food
Let’s say your kibble is 380 kcal per cup.
Compute cups: 848 ÷ 380 = 2.2 cups daily
This ought to be divided into:
Two servings (1.1 cups each) or
Three meals, each measuring 0.75 cups

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Feeding Different Types of Dog Food

Dry Kibble

Most prevalent and simple to gauge.

Advantages

Easy to use
Extended shelf life
Frequently economical

Cons

Extremely processed
Certain brands employ fillers.

Canned or Wet Food

Increased moisture content.

Advantages

More appetizing
Suitable for staying hydrated
Reduced density of calories
Elevated digestibility
Delicious and nourishing

Cons

More costly
Messier to assist
Freshly Prepared Food
DIY recipes or brands like FreshPet.
It needs to be carefully balanced.
Reduced shelf life

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How Treats Impact Daily Feeding Amount

Treats should not exceed 10% of daily calories.

Example: 800 kcal/day dog
→ Treats = 80 kcal max
→ Food = 720 kcal/day

Many owners unknowingly give 200–300 kcal/day in treats, which leads to weight gain.

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Feeding Frequency: How Many Meals per Day?

Puppies

4 → 3 → 2 meals progression

Adults Dogs

Most dogs do well with:

2 meals/day
Some small breeds may need 3 meals/day

Seniors

2 meals/day
Or 3 for those with digestive issues

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Common Feeding Mistakes Dog Parents Make

Free-Feeding

Food left out all day results in:

Overindulging in food
Gaining weight
Food safety

Estimating Portions

Rather than using measuring cups, use arbitrary scoops.
Not Making Activity Adjustments
On days of rest, dogs require less food.

Excessive Treats

The obesity’s silent cause.

Frequently Changing Foods

Can result in changes in weight and uncomfortable stomach.

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When to Increase or Decrease Food Amount

Signs You Need to Increase Food

Ribs that are visible
Loss of weight
Low vitality
A dull coat
Constantly hungry

Indications to Cut Back on Food

Absence of a waist
Ribs covered in fat
Lethargy
Snoring
Breathing heavily

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Special Cases: How Much Food For

Small Breeds

Because of their quick metabolism, they require more calories per kilogram.

Large Breeds

Reduced metabolism but increased food intake.

Dogs That Are Expecting

Over the past three weeks, nutritional needs have increased dramatically.

Breastfeeding Dogs

Need two to four times as many calories as usual.

Dogs with Health Issues

Adhere to veterinary advice at all times.

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How to Transition Feeding Amounts Safely

Abrupt changes in food quantity can cause dogs to develop:

Throwing up
Diarrhea
Gas
Not wanting to eat
Plan for a Safe Transition
Every three to four days, change the amount of food by 10%.

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Monitoring Your Dog’s Weight Over Time

Every two to four weeks, evaluate:

Physical state
Visibility of the waist
Test for rib feel
Score for muscle condition

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Sample Feeding Chart

Small Dog (5 Kg)

300–400 kcal per day
One cup of kibble, depending on the brand

Medium Dog (15 Kg)

640–900 kcal per day
1.8–2.5 cups of kibble

Big Dog (30 Kg)

1100–1500 kcal per day
Three to four cups of kibble

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Frequently Asked Questions

After eating, why is my dog still hungry?

Possibilities:

Elevated metabolism
Low-calorie foods
Hunger in behaviour
Health problems

Is it possible to combine wet and dry food?

Yes, provided that the number of calories is measured

Should I feed according to my current weight or my target weight?

Feed dogs according to their ideal weight at all times, especially if they are overweight

Should I cut back on feeding right away because my dog gained weight?

Reduce gradually and re-evaluate every two weeks

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Conclusion

For Your Dog, you need to:

Determine RER
Multiply by the MER factor
Verify the kcal/cup of your dog food
Calories converted to cups or grams
Adapt to your body’s situation
Regularly check
Adjust for health, age and exercise

One of the most effective strategies to guarantee your dog’s long-term health, vitality, mobility, and enjoyment is to feed them properly. Everything is supported when done correctly, including their immune system, longevity, digestion and joints.

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