How much dry food a dog needs by weight
An adult, neutered, normally active dog in ideal condition; a typical dry food has 3 794 kcal/kg (the median of the dry dog foods we track).
| Weight | kcal a day | Food a day | From, a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 374 | 99 g | 5,40 € |
| 10 kg | 630 | 165 g | 9,10 € |
| 15 kg | 854 | 225 g | 12,33 € |
| 20 kg | 1 059 | 280 g | 15,29 € |
| 30 kg | 1 436 | 380 g | 20,73 € |
| 40 kg | 1 781 | 470 g | 25,71 € |
Select a weight to see the cheapest foods for that amount.
This is an estimate, not a prescription: every dog's need can differ considerably. The feeding table on the bag and your vet's advice come first. Weigh your dog regularly and adjust the amount.
How to judge your dog's body condition
A five-point scale: look at your dog from above and from the side, and run your hands along its sides. If the body is not ideal, the calculator uses the target weight, not the current one.
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Very thin
Ribs, spine and hip bones visible from a distance, no fat to feel, little muscle.
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Thin
Ribs easy to feel and may be visible; a clear waist from above, belly tucked up.
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Ideal
Ribs can be felt under a thin layer of fat; a waist visible from above, belly tucked up from the side.
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Overweight
Ribs hard to feel under fat; waist barely visible, broad back.
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Obese
Ribs cannot be felt under a thick layer of fat; no waist, sagging belly, fat on the back and at the base of the tail.
How we calculate
Formula, factors and sources
Resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × weight in kg0.75 kcal a day. Daily need = RER × a factor for age, neutering and activity.
Dogs: neutered adult 1.6, intact 1.8, not very active 1.3, very active or working 2.0, weight loss 1.0 (at the target weight), puppy under 4 months 3.0, 4 months to adult 2.0. Seniors use the adult factors.
If the body condition is not ideal, the target weight is used: an amount based on the current weight would keep the extra weight on.
Grams are worked out from the food's energy content (kcal/kg), which we read from the shop's description; kcal/100 g, kJ and MJ are converted. Dry dog foods in the list: 1 339; a typical dry food has 3 794 kcal/kg (the median). Veterinary diets are left out: their amount is the vet's call.
Monthly cost = grams a day × 30.4 ÷ 1000 × the food's cheapest price per kg. Prices are updated daily.
Sources
- 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2021;57:153–178)
- National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, 2006
- Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center: Basic Calorie Calculator (factor table)
Common questions
- How much food should I give my dog a day?
- It depends on weight, age, activity and the food's energy content. For example, a 20 kg neutered adult dog needs about 1 059 kcal a day, which is roughly 280 g of a typical dry food (3 794 kcal/kg). Calculate it for your own dog above; the feeding table on the bag and your vet come first.
- Why is the amount on the bag different?
- Manufacturers' feeding tables are written for an average, often intact and active animal, and foods differ in energy: one dry food may have 3,400 kcal/kg, another 4,200 kcal/kg. A neutered or less active pet usually needs less. Start from the calculated amount, weigh your pet regularly and adjust.
- How much does it cost to feed a dog a month?
- The cheapest dry food we track costs from €15,29 a month for a 20 kg neutered adult dog today. A bigger or more active dog needs more, and a more energy-dense food is needed in smaller amounts, which is why the calculator compares the monthly cost, not the price per kilo.
- Does the calculator work for wet (canned) food?
- The daily calorie need applies to any food, but we calculate grams and prices for dry food only: many wet foods are complementary (soups, sauces, treats) and are not a complete diet. Work out the amount of a wet food from the energy content on its label.