A moderately active 50 lb dog needs about 1090 calories a day, which is roughly 2.7 cups of a dry food with 400 calories per cup. The exact amount depends on your dog's weight, how active it is and how many calories your particular food packs into each cup.
Try the toolDog Food CalculatorEnter your dog's weight, activity and your food's calories per cup to get cups per day.Dog feeding chart by weight
Calories per day for an adult dog, with cups worked out for a typical dry food at 400 calories per cup. Check your bag: dry dog foods usually run 325–450 calories per cup.
| Dog weight | Less active | Moderate | Very active | Cups a day (moderate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 160 kcal | 190 kcal | 230 kcal | 0.5 |
| 10 lb | 260 kcal | 330 kcal | 390 kcal | 0.8 |
| 15 lb | 350 kcal | 440 kcal | 530 kcal | 1.1 |
| 20 lb | 440 kcal | 550 kcal | 660 kcal | 1.4 |
| 30 lb | 600 kcal | 740 kcal | 890 kcal | 1.9 |
| 40 lb | 740 kcal | 920 kcal | 1110 kcal | 2.3 |
| 50 lb | 870 kcal | 1090 kcal | 1310 kcal | 2.7 |
| 60 lb | 1000 kcal | 1250 kcal | 1500 kcal | 3.1 |
| 70 lb | 1120 kcal | 1400 kcal | 1690 kcal | 3.5 |
| 80 lb | 1240 kcal | 1550 kcal | 1860 kcal | 3.9 |
| 100 lb | 1470 kcal | 1840 kcal | 2200 kcal | 4.6 |
How the numbers are worked out
Every dog has a resting energy requirement: the calories it burns lying still. Veterinary nutritionists, including the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, estimate it as 70 × body weight in kilograms raised to the power of 0.75. Daily needs are that figure multiplied by an activity factor.
- About 1.2 for a less active or older dog that mostly walks on a lead
- About 1.5 for a typical adult with daily walks and play
- About 1.8 for a very active or working dog
Puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs and dogs recovering from illness need more, often a lot more, and should be fed on a vet's advice.
Turning calories into cups
- Find your dog's daily calories in the chart or with the calculator.
- Look on the food bag for the calories per cup (kcal/cup), usually near the feeding guide.
- Divide daily calories by calories per cup. That is your daily amount.
- Split it into two meals, or three for small dogs and puppies.
Adjusting over time
Any calculation is a starting point. Two dogs of the same weight can need quite different amounts, so check your dog's body condition every few weeks. 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 weight you did not intend, cut the daily amount by about 10% and check again in a month. If it is losing weight, add about 10%. Neutered dogs often need 20–30% fewer calories than intact dogs, which is why weight gain after neutering is so common.
Don't forget treats
Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. For a 50 lb dog that is about 110 calories, which is less than many people expect: a single large biscuit can be 100 calories on its own.
Related tools
- Dog feeding schedule planner: how many meals a day at each age
- Puppy weight calculator: how big your puppy is likely to get
- Dog water intake calculator: how much your dog should drink
How many cups of food should my dog eat a day?
At 400 calories per cup and moderate activity: about 1.4 cups for a 20 lb dog, 2.7 cups for a 50 lb dog and 3.9 cups for an 80 lb dog. Use the calories per cup on your own bag for an exact figure.
Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?
Twice a day suits most adult dogs. Puppies and toy breeds do better with three or four smaller meals.
Is the feeding guide on the bag accurate?
It is a reasonable starting range, but it covers a wide range of dogs and often errs on the generous side. Adjust it by your dog's body condition over a few weeks.
How do I know if I am feeding my dog too much?
If you can't feel the ribs easily, there is no visible waist, or the scale keeps creeping up, cut back by about 10%.
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