How to Estimate the Right Serving Size for Your Dog

by Mike Sagman
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The verdict is in.  And the results confirm what you’d always thought… Overweight dogs don’t live as long as normal weight dogs.

According to a recent study published in a respected veterinary journal1 overweight dogs suffer from a higher incidence of these life-shortening diseases…

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Oral disease
  • Diabetes
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cancer
  • Arthritis

So, how much should you feed your dog to ensure his health?

Well, don’t just blindly follow the directions on a dog food package.  That’s because manufacturers like to “hedge” by suggesting an overly broad “range” of serving sizes.

For example, a bag of kibble might read… “for dogs from 5 to 15 pounds feed 1/2… to… 1-1/2 cups a day”.

Wow.  That’s a monstrously wide range… a 200% variation!  It’s simply not precise enough.

If you follow that advice you’ll be guessing.  You could be significantly overfeeding… or underfeeding your dog.

Misjudging a serving size by even a small amount… and then feeding that same amount day-in and day-out… multiplies the error.  And it could have a devastating effect on your dog’s health.

Don’t Guess… Follow These Three Easy Steps

When deciding how much to feed your dog… never guess.  Be scientific.  Always calculate and measure.

Use our Dog Food Calculator and follow these three simple steps…

  • Step 1 – Enter your dog’s ideal weight
  • Step 2 – Select your dog’s life stage and activity level
  • Step 3 – Insert your dog food’s “calories per serving”

Then, use a measuring cup or a scale… and feed the calculated amount.

Of course, keep in mind… results are approximate.  Certain breeds and conditions may require some adjustment.  And please remember… the calculator assumes your dog is at or near his ideal weight.

So, be flexible.  If your dog appears to be overweight… or underweight… substitute something closer to “ideal” for your weight entry.

By the way… the calculator is for adult dogs only.  Puppies require their own special feeding program.

Once again… never guess.  Always measure each serving.  And check your dog’s weight once a month or so.  Over time, you’ll be glad you did.

Learn how to determine your dog’s ideal weight.

Here’s an easy way to weigh your dog.

Use our Dog Food Calculator to reveal your pet’s recommended serving size.

  1. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine, Vol 4:2, Nov 2, 2006, pp 177-186 ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


  • melissa

    Marie-

    I would contact the vet who’s regime you are following. Porto-systemic liver shunts can kill a dog, and I would be leary of changing anything since the dog is otherwise doing fine. While he needs to gain weight, there is probably a preferred way of doing it for a dog with this medical condition. Good luck-

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Marie… Liver disease can require measured dietary protein regulation. Unfortunately, since I’m not a veterinarian and due to the biological uniqueness of each pet (especially for dogs being treated for a liver condition), it would be inappropriate for me to provide specific health advice or customized serving size recommendations.

    Your vet should be able to provide you with more precise feeding instructions. In any case, you may wish to check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Wish I could be more help.

  • Marie Pressman

    Hello, I hope you can provide insight to confusing and conflicting info on protein. I have two mini dacshunds. One was diagnosed with a liver shunt which we are treating medically with homemade low protein recipies and holistic remedies which have significantly improved his health in a matter of days on this new regime. Our vet prescribed no more than 25% protein per serving for my dog with the liver shunt and 50% protein per serving for my healthy dog. However, I have read so many conflicting data on protein including comments from another vet we were going to who said that was way too much protein for either dog.

    Also, right now the liver shunt needs to gain weight. A calorie counter suggested approx 300 calories per day or 1.7 cup of food. Right now I am feeding him 4oz of cooked food two times a day for a total of 200 calories/day. It seems like alot food for him. Should I try to up the quantity and see if he will eat it.

    My healthy dog is over weight at 14 lobs and in an attempt to help her lose some weight I am feeding her 2oz of cooked food two times a day for a total of 230 calories/day. She does not seem to be significantly hungry for more but does that sound like too little food if the calorie requirement for a dog her size is approx 300 per day.

    Thanks for your help.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Sheila… You would be correct to assume the calorie function of any calculator does not need to be adjusted for whether a food is dry or canned. But please do not put so much faith in these calculators (or a manufactuer’s feeding instructions. They are both only estimates. The best way is to periodically titrate every food to adjust serving size and adapt to your dog’s weight.

  • Sheila

    Hi Mike or anyone that wants to comment.
    I have an ongoing battle with my Norwich as far as weight control. I was rotating HK foods, but it became too expensive as I have NRG (also rated 4*) accessible more readily and less expensive. My dog did lose about 3 lbs. on a kibble diet (used Acana L&F) and was at her 12lb mark. We have had some hot weather and walks are shorter. Long and short of this is, using the calculator based on overweight as opposed to typical can I use the same read out (.50cups per day) based on 12lb ideal (she is back to 14lbs), overweight and 500 calories per cup, which works out to .50 cups per day without compromising nutrition. She presently eats 2/3 cup per day (330 calories). Would it be correct to assume the figures given by the calculator don’t necessarily apply to kibble only?
    Thanks, SZ

  • melissa

    Bryna-

    Not enough info-how many kcals per cup or kilogram and how much does your dog weigh?

  • Bryna Crews

    Hello, my name is Bryna and I have a Border Collie x Springer Spaniel. I have just weighed how much he has a day and it’s 100g twice a day. He is also old and neutered. I walk him as much as I can everyday. Please let me know if this is too much or too little. Unless it is ideal, how much should he have twice a day?

    Many Thanks,
    Bryna

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Martha… Uh-oh. That sounds like a vitamin supplement. Sorry I can’t be more help as I only review dog foods.

  • http://Fido-vite.com Martha Brown

    Do you think Fido-vite are good for dogs?

    Thank you,

    Martha Brown

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Jacqueline… That’s a very good question. But unfortunately, unless you know the exact number of calories per serving for the recipe you are preparing (a huge “variable”), it’s impossible to compute a suggested serving size. It’s a “trial and error” process.

  • Jacqueline

    I have a 18 month female Terrier/Catahoula that weighs about 70 pounds. I feed her dry dog food twice a day 1 3/4 cup per serving. I would like to switch to homemade recipes, e.g. brown rice, chicken/turkey and potatoes. How much per serving is sufficient. Thank you.