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How many grams a dog should eat per day depends on weight, age and activity level. As a rule of thumb, 2 to 3% of body weight per day in dry food applies, but the exact amount is always stated on the packaging of your food. An automatic feeder makes it easy to give exactly the right portion every day.
Eating too little makes a dog lethargic and causes deficiencies. Eating too much leads to obesity, joint problems and a shorter lifespan. Yet many owners give a scoop too much or too little every day simply because they do not know what the right amount is. In this article you will read exactly how to calculate the portion for your dog based on weight, age and activity level.
The most commonly used rule of thumb is: give your dog 2 to 3% of its body weight per day in dry food. A dog weighing 20 kg would then receive 400 to 600 grams per day. But this is merely a starting point.
The kibble of each brand has a different energy density. A premium food is packed full of proteins and fats, meaning your dog needs less volume than with a budget brand. Therefore always look at the portion guidance on the packaging of your specific food.
| Dog weight | Breed type | Dry food per day | Per meal (2x/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | Chihuahua, Yorkshire | 40 - 70 gram | 20 - 35 gram |
| 5 kg | Maltese, Shih Tzu | 90 - 130 gram | 45 - 65 gram |
| 10 kg | Beagle, Cocker Spaniel | 160 - 220 gram | 80 - 110 gram |
| 20 kg | Border Collie, Labrador | 280 - 360 gram | 140 - 180 gram |
| 30 kg | Dalmatian, Siberian Husky | 380 - 480 gram | 190 - 240 gram |
| 40 kg | Rottweiler, Malinois | 470 - 570 gram | 235 - 285 gram |
| 55 kg | Saint Bernard, Great Dane | 580 - 700 gram | 290 - 350 gram |
Puppies grow extremely fast and need more energy than adult dogs. They typically receive 3 to 4 small meals per day. The total daily portion is 20 to 50% higher than for an adult dog of the same weight.
This is the stable stage. Two meals per day is ideal for most dogs: this prevents gastric torsion (bloat) in large breeds and keeps blood sugar levels stable.
Older dogs move less and have a slower metabolism. The portion decreases by an average of 10 to 20%.
Kibble and wet food differ greatly in energy density. Wet food consists of 70 to 80% moisture, while dry food contains only 10% moisture.
| Food type | Avg. kcal per 100 grams | Portion adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Dry food (kibble) | 340 - 380 kcal | Base (100%) |
| Semi-moist food | 270 - 310 kcal | +15 to 20% more volume |
| Wet food (tin/pouch) | 70 - 100 kcal | 3 to 4x more volume |
Knowing how many grams your dog needs is step 1. Step 2 is giving that amount consistently every day, even when you are busy, away or simply forget.
An adult Labrador (25 to 35 kg) needs an average of 300 to 430 grams of dry food per day, divided over two meals. Labradors are breed-prone to overeating, so always weigh the portion.
Free-feeding is not recommended for most dogs. Dogs that always have access to food are more prone to obesity. For most adult dogs, the rule is: two fixed meals at fixed times are best.
Signs: visibly protruding ribs without a thin layer of fat, sunken flanks, low energy, a dull coat, and rapid weight loss.
The Prime AnimalZ feeders dispense with a deviation of 5 to 10 grams per meal. This is more than sufficient for dogs.
Eating too quickly increases the risk of gastric torsion. The smartest solution: divide the daily portion into 3 to 4 small meals using an automatic feeder.
In summary: how to feed your dog exactly the right amount
Done with guessing? Let the feeder do the work.
With an automatic feeder from Prime AnimalZ, you give your dog exactly the right portion at the right time every day.
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