How Many Cups of Dog Food Per Day? Chart by Weight
There is no single number of cups that fits every dog, because dog foods differ a lot in calories per cup. The reliable way is to work out how many calories your dog needs, then divide by the kcal per cup printed on your bag. For a typical spayed or neutered adult dog:
Calories a day = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 × 1.6
Cups a day = calories a day ÷ kcal per cup on the bag
The dog food calculator does both steps for you, in cups, grams or cans.
How many calories a day: chart by weight
There is no honest single “cups” chart, because the calories in one cup differ from food to food. What does stay the same is how many calories a dog needs. This chart is calculated from the formula above (70 × kg^0.75 × 1.6) for a spayed or neutered adult with normal activity. To turn it into cups, divide by the kcal per cup printed on your bag.
| Dog’s weight | Calories a day (neutered adult) |
|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 210 |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 350 |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 590 |
| 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 790 |
| 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 980 |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 1,160 |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | 1,330 |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | 1,500 |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | 1,660 |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | 1,960 |
How to find the kcal per cup on your bag
Look for the calorie statement on the bag, usually near the guaranteed analysis. It is written as “kcal/cup” and “kcal/kg” (metabolizable energy). Use the kcal per cup with a level, standard 8 fl oz measuring cup, or the kcal per kg if you weigh the food in grams:
- Cups a day = calories a day ÷ kcal per cup
- Grams a day = calories a day ÷ kcal per kg × 1,000
If the bag only gives kcal per kg, weighing the food on a kitchen scale is the most accurate way. Split the daily amount into two meals for most adult dogs.
Where the formula comes from
The first part, 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, is the resting energy requirement (RER): the calories a dog burns at rest. It is the standard formula used by the NRC and WSAVA. The Merck Veterinary Manual then gives a multiplier for daily needs:
- 1.6 × RER for a typical spayed or neutered adult
- 1.8 × RER for an adult that is not neutered
- 1.4 × RER for a dog that is prone to obesity
- 1.0 × RER at the target weight for weight loss (AAHA 2021 guidelines)
How many cups of dog food for a 60 lb dog?
A 60 lb (27.2 kg) dog has a resting energy of about 834 kcal, so a spayed or neutered adult needs about 1.6 × 834 = 1,330 kcal a day. To get cups, divide 1,330 by the kcal per cup on your bag, then split it into two meals. On the same Merck factors, an obesity-prone 60 lb dog needs about 1,170 kcal (1.4 × RER) and an intact one about 1,500 kcal (1.8 × RER).
How much should I feed my dog a day by weight?
Start from the chart or the calculator, then let your dog’s body be the final check. You should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat and see a waist from above. If your dog is gaining, cut the amount by about 10% and re-weigh in two to four weeks; if it is losing weight it shouldn’t, add about 10%.
Why the bag’s feeding chart may differ
Feeding charts on bags are written for an average dog and often assume an active, intact adult, so many pet dogs end up overfed if they follow them exactly. They are still a good cross-check. If your result and the bag’s chart are far apart, check the kcal per cup you entered and talk to your vet.
Don’t forget treats
Treats count. WSAVA advises keeping treats to less than 10% of daily calories, so a dog that needs 1,000 kcal a day should get no more than about 100 kcal from treats and chews. Cut the main meals a little on days with lots of training treats.
Puppies and special cases
Puppies need far more calories per pound than adults, and the amount changes as they grow. Use the puppy food calculator instead. Pregnant or nursing dogs, working dogs and dogs with health conditions have very different needs, so ask your vet.
Get the exact amount for your dog and your food with the dog food calculator, or see the calories alone with the dog calorie calculator.
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual, Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals (daily maintenance energy factors); NRC (2006) Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats / WSAVA (RER = 70 × kg^0.75); AAHA 2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines; WSAVA treat guide (treats under 10% of daily calories). Calorie figures are calculated from these formulas. This article is general information for healthy adult dogs, not veterinary advice.