Dog Feeding Chart
Daily calories and cups by weight for adult dogs, from one formula, in one table.
Quick answer
A typical neutered adult dog needs about 70 × (weight in kg)0.75 × 1.4 calories a day to start. That’s about 305 kcal for a 10 lb dog, 1,020 for 50 lb and 1,715 for 100 lb. Divide by your food’s kcal per cup for cups. Want it done for you? Use the dog food calculator.
Dog feeding chart by weight
Each row links to itself (for example #w-50) so you can bookmark your dog’s weight. Calories are rounded to the nearest 5. Cups assume 380 kcal per cup.
| Weight | Neutered kcal (1.4) | Cups | Intact kcal (1.6) | Cups | Inactive kcal (1.2) | Cups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 180 | ½ | 205 | ½ | 155 | ⅜ |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 305 | ¾ | 350 | ⅞ | 260 | ⅝ |
| 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 415 | 1⅛ | 470 | 1¼ | 355 | ⅞ |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 510 | 1⅜ | 585 | 1½ | 440 | 1⅛ |
| 25 lb (11.3 kg) | 605 | 1⅝ | 690 | 1⅞ | 520 | 1⅜ |
| 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 695 | 1⅞ | 795 | 2⅛ | 595 | 1⅝ |
| 35 lb (15.9 kg) | 780 | 2 | 890 | 2⅜ | 670 | 1¾ |
| 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 860 | 2¼ | 985 | 2⅝ | 740 | 2 |
| 45 lb (20.4 kg) | 940 | 2½ | 1,075 | 2⅞ | 805 | 2⅛ |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 1,020 | 2⅝ | 1,165 | 3⅛ | 875 | 2¼ |
| 55 lb (24.9 kg) | 1,095 | 2⅞ | 1,250 | 3¼ | 940 | 2½ |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | 1,170 | 3⅛ | 1,335 | 3½ | 1,000 | 2⅝ |
| 65 lb (29.5 kg) | 1,240 | 3¼ | 1,415 | 3¾ | 1,065 | 2¾ |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | 1,310 | 3½ | 1,500 | 4 | 1,125 | 3 |
| 75 lb (34.0 kg) | 1,380 | 3⅝ | 1,580 | 4⅛ | 1,185 | 3⅛ |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | 1,450 | 3⅞ | 1,655 | 4⅜ | 1,240 | 3¼ |
| 85 lb (38.6 kg) | 1,515 | 4 | 1,735 | 4½ | 1,300 | 3⅜ |
| 90 lb (40.8 kg) | 1,585 | 4⅛ | 1,810 | 4¾ | 1,355 | 3⅝ |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | 1,715 | 4½ | 1,960 | 5⅛ | 1,470 | 3⅞ |
| 110 lb (49.9 kg) | 1,840 | 4⅞ | 2,105 | 5½ | 1,575 | 4⅛ |
| 120 lb (54.4 kg) | 1,965 | 5⅛ | 2,245 | 5⅞ | 1,685 | 4⅜ |
| 130 lb (59.0 kg) | 2,085 | 5½ | 2,385 | 6¼ | 1,785 | 4¾ |
| 140 lb (63.5 kg) | 2,205 | 5¾ | 2,520 | 6⅝ | 1,890 | 5 |
| 150 lb (68.0 kg) | 2,320 | 6⅛ | 2,655 | 7 | 1,990 | 5¼ |
How do I read this dog feeding chart?
- Find your dog’s weight. Between two rows? Pick the closer one, or use the calculator.
- Pick the column: neutered adult, intact adult, or inactive (couch potatoes and dogs that gain weight easily).
- Check your bag’s kcal per cup. If it isn’t 380, divide the calories by your number instead of using the cups column.
- Split the daily amount into two meals and weigh your dog in two to four weeks.
What formula is behind the chart?
The factors are the starting points from our factor table: neutered 1.4, intact 1.6 and inactive 1.2. They sit at or near the low end of the 2021 AAHA ranges (neutered 1.4–1.6, intact 1.6–1.8), where the WSAVA calorie chart and the NRC figures for typical pet dogs also land. The Merck Veterinary Manual uses 1.6 and 1.8, so a lean, busy dog may need up to about 15% more than the chart shows. Every dog can differ by about 30% either way. Every row is calculated by the same code as our dog calorie calculator, so the chart and the tools always agree.
Notice that the numbers don’t double when weight doubles. A 100 lb dog eats about 5.6 times as much as a 10 lb dog, not ten times. Larger bodies burn fewer calories per pound.
Why is this different from the chart on my dog food bag?
Bag charts are written for an average dog that’s often intact and fairly active, and they usually give one amount for a wide weight band. Many pet dogs are neutered and less active, so bag amounts often run high. Neither chart knows your dog. Start with one, then let the scale and your dog’s waistline decide.
What does a worked example look like?
Take a 30 lb neutered adult on a kibble with 360 kcal per cup. The chart gives about 695 kcal a day. Divide by your food, not ours: 695 ÷ 360 ≈ 1.9, so about 1⅞ cups a day, split into two meals. If you give a 60-calorie dental chew each day, take that out of the total first: 635 ÷ 360 ≈ 1¾ cups. Weigh your dog after three or four weeks. If the scale hasn’t moved and your dog still has a waist, you’ve found the right amount.
When should I feed more or less than the chart?
- More: working dogs, dogs in cold weather outdoors, very active young adults, and underweight dogs (with your vet’s guidance).
- Less: older dogs that sleep most of the day, dogs that gain weight easily, and days with lots of treats.
- Different altogether: puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, and dogs with medical conditions. See your vet for those.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my dog by weight?
Find your dog’s weight in the chart and read the calories, then divide by your food’s kcal per cup. A 50 lb neutered adult with typical activity needs about 1,020 kcal a day to start, which is about 2⅝ cups of a 380 kcal/cup kibble.
How many cups of food should a 50 lb dog eat?
About 2¼ to 3⅛ cups a day for a neutered adult, depending on whether the food has 450 or 320 kcal per cup. Use your own bag’s number for an exact answer.
Why does the chart show calories instead of just cups?
Because a cup of one food can have 50% more calories than a cup of another. Calories are the same whatever you feed. The cup columns assume 380 kcal per cup, a typical adult kibble.
Is this chart right for puppies?
No. Puppies need 2–3 times their resting calories. Use the puppy food calculator instead, which also tells you how many meals to feed.
Should I feed by current weight or ideal weight?
For a dog at a healthy weight, use current weight. For an overweight dog, use the ideal weight and the weight loss calculator, because feeding for the current weight keeps the extra pounds.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals (RER and MER factors). merckvetmanual.com
- Cline MG, et al. 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. JAAHA 2021;57(4):153–178. aaha.org
- WSAVA. Calorie Ranges for an Average Healthy Adult Dog in Ideal Body Condition (updated July 2020). wsava.org
- National Research Council. Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs (2006). nap.nationalacademies.org
- AAFCO. Understanding pet food labels: calorie content statement. aafco.org
Vet disclaimer: These are estimates for healthy pets. Your vet knows your pet. Ask them before changing diet or care, especially for puppies, kittens, seniors, pregnant pets or pets with health conditions. Read our medical disclaimer.