The feeding guide on the bag is a starting point, not a prescription. Two dogs of the same weight can need very different amounts. Here is how to set portions, and how to use your dog's body to check them.
Every bag of dog food has a feeding guide printed on the back: a table of body weights and grams per day. It looks precise, but it is a starting point, not a prescription. Two dogs of the same weight can need very different amounts of food. Here is how to use a feeding guide properly, and how to tell whether the amount you are feeding is right for your dog.
Where Feeding Guides Come From
Feeding guides are calculated from an estimate of a typical adult dog's energy needs at a given weight, divided by the energy density (calories per kilogram) of that particular food. Because the energy density differs between foods, the gram amounts differ too. That is why the right amount of one food is not the right amount of another. Whenever you change food, start again from the new food's guide rather than keeping the same scoop.
Why Your Dog Might Need More or Less
An individual dog's energy needs can vary by 20–30% or more from the average for its weight. The main reasons:
- Activity. A working or very active dog may need considerably more. A dog whose exercise is a short walk around the lane needs less.
- Neutering. Neutered and spayed dogs typically need fewer calories, and weight gain after surgery is very common.
- Age. Puppies need much more per kilogram for growth. Older dogs often need less as they slow down.
- Breed and coat. Some breeds, such as Labradors, are known for gaining weight easily.
- Climate. In a warm climate, dogs generally burn less energy keeping warm than dogs in cold countries.
- Treats and extras. Every treat, biscuit and spoon of rice from the table counts.
Weigh It, Don't Guess
A cup or scoop can vary by 10–20% depending on how full it is, and those small differences add up over months. Weigh your dog's daily amount on a kitchen scale once, then mark that level on a measuring cup if you prefer to scoop. Divide the daily amount into two meals for most adult dogs.
Use the Dog, Not Just the Table
The best measure of whether you are feeding the right amount is your dog's body. Every two to four weeks:
- Feel the ribs. You should be able to feel them easily with a light touch, with a thin layer of covering, without pressing hard.
- Look from above. There should be a visible waist behind the ribs.
- Look from the side. The belly should tuck up between the ribs and hind legs.
- Weigh them if you can, at the vet, or by weighing yourself holding them and subtracting your own weight.
If your dog is gaining weight they do not need, reduce the daily amount by about 10% and check again in three to four weeks. If they are losing weight or ribs are becoming prominent, increase by about 10%. Small, steady changes work better than big swings.
Treats: The Hidden Calories
A common veterinary guideline is that treats and extras should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories. If you give a lot of treats, for training, for example, reduce their main meal a little to compensate, or use pieces of their regular food as rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog always seems hungry. Should I feed more? Not necessarily. Many dogs will happily eat more than they need. Judge by body condition, not by begging. If your dog is a healthy weight, they are getting enough.
Should I leave food out all day? For most dogs, set meal times are better. They make it easier to control portions and to notice quickly if appetite changes, which is often an early sign of illness.