How Much Should I Feed My Dog? A Practical, Budget-Friendly Guide
Hello, World!
The short answer (that nobody gives you)
There is no single “right” amount to feed every dog. The right amount is the amount that keeps your dog at a healthy body condition, with stable energy, good digestion, and a diet you can afford to sustain.
If you’ve ever followed the feeding guide on the bag and felt unsure… you’re not alone. Feeding advice is often confusing, brand-led, and rarely considers real-world constraints like rising food costs, multi-dog households, or dogs with fluctuating appetites.
This guide will show you how to:
Understand calories, not just grams
Adjust portions for life stage, size, neuter status, and activity
Feed accurately without expensive foods or supplements
Make food last longer when money is tight
Use free tools (including a dog food cost calculator)
Get a free diet assessment to work out your dog’s actual calorie needs
And importantly: you will not be told to buy premium food, guilt-fed raw, or “just feed less” without context.
Why feeding amounts are so confusing
Most owners are given:
A scoop
A feeding guide on the bag
Advice based on weight alone
But feeding your dog based purely on weight is like fuelling a car without knowing:
The engine size
How far it’s driving
Whether it’s leaking fuel
Two dogs can weigh 20kg and need very different calories.
Calories matter more than portions
Dogs don’t need:
A certain weight of food
They need:A certain number of calories per day
That calorie requirement depends on:
1. Life stage
Puppies: need more calories per kg
Adults: require maintenance calories
Seniors: often need fewer calories, but not less protein
2. Neutering
Neutered dogs typically need 10–20% fewer calories than intact dogs.
3. Activity level
Sedentary dogs: lower needs
Working/active dogs: higher needs
Ill or recovering dogs: variable
4. Body condition
A dog at a healthy weight needs more calories than a dog who needs to lose weight.
Body Condition Score: the most important feeding tool
Before changing food or portions, assess body condition.
A healthy dog should:
Have a visible waist from above
Have a tuck when viewed from the side
Have ribs you can feel easily, but not see
If your dog is:
Overweight → they are likely being overfed (even if the food is “healthy”)
Underweight → they may need more calories or a more digestible diet
Feeding guides do not account for this.
Why feeding guides often lead to overfeeding
Feeding charts on bags are:
Broad averages
Designed to avoid underfeeding complaints
Often based on intact, moderately active dogs
They also:
Don’t account for treats
Don’t account for household feeding habits
Don’t account for lower-energy dogs
It’s very common for dogs following bag guidelines to gain weight slowly over time.
How to calculate how much to feed (without a calculator headache)
Here’s the simple framework used by nutrition professionals:
Step 1: Work out your dog’s daily calories
This is based on resting energy requirement (RER), then adjusted.
Step 2: Check the calories in your dog’s food
This is usually listed as:
kcal per 100g
or kcal per kg
If it isn’t clear, that’s a red flag—but you can still calculate it using our calculator
Step 3: Divide calories needed by calories per gram
This tells you how much to feed per day.
Step 4: Adjust slowly
Change portions by 5–10% at a time, not drastic cuts.
Dry vs wet vs raw: portion size myths
Different foods weigh differently.
That means:
Dry food looks smaller but can be calorie-dense
Wet food looks generous but may be lower in calories
Raw feeding portions vary wildly depending on fat content
You cannot compare portion sizes across diets without looking at calories.
This is where calculators are invaluable.
Feeding on a budget without compromising health
Feeding correctly isn’t about feeding less—it’s about feeding accurately.
Many owners overspend simply because:
Portions are too large
Treats aren’t counted
Food isn’t weighed
Budget-friendly feeding principles
Weigh food with a digital scale
Measure treats as part of daily calories
Avoid unnecessary toppers and supplements
Choose foods that meet needs, not marketing claims
You can compare foods by price per day, not price per bag, using the Dog Food Cost Calculator from The Good Paw Project.
This tool helps you see:
How long a bag actually lasts
Cost per day, week, and month
Whether switching food genuinely saves money
Making food last longer safely
If money is tight, you may need to stretch food temporarily.
Safe strategies include:
Feeding the correct amount (often less than current portions)
Reducing treats before reducing meals
Replacing a small percentage of calories with safe, cheaper options like cooked vegetables or carbohydrates (when appropriate)
This must be done carefully—and it’s one reason support matters. Check our our Meal Stretcher Calculator
If you’re struggling, the support pathways at The Good Paw Project exist to help without shame.
Why “just feed less” isn’t good advice
Blanket advice to cut food can:
Reduce essential nutrients
Increase hunger behaviours
Lead to muscle loss
Feeding less only works when:
Calories are accurately calculated
Nutritional balance is maintained
That’s why free assessment and tools matter—especially for households juggling finances.
Treats count (even the “healthy” ones)
Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
That includes:
Training treats
Chews
Table scraps
Dental sticks
If your dog gets “extras” daily, meals must be adjusted—or weight gain will follow.
Puppies, seniors, and special considerations
Puppies
Need calories for growth and development
Overfeeding can increase orthopaedic risk
Underfeeding can impair growth
Senior dogs
Often need fewer calories
Still need adequate protein
May benefit from smaller, more frequent meals
If your dog is at either end of life stage, guesswork feeding is especially risky.
Multi-dog households: avoiding accidental overfeeding
Common issues include:
One dog eating leftovers
Uneven treat distribution
Portion creep
Practical tips:
Feed separately if needed
Weigh each dog’s food
Track weekly usage rather than daily guesswork
Feeding should fit real life—not idealised rules
This is especially important when money is tight.
You do not need:
Boutique foods
Superfood powders
Guilt-based upgrades
You need:
Accurate portions
Consistent feeding
Affordable, balanced nutrition
That’s why tools and education—not judgement—matter.
Compare foods, not marketing
If you’re considering switching foods:
Compare calories per 100g
Compare cost per day, not bag price
Compare nutrient adequacy, not slogans
Members of The Canine Collective get access to dog food comparison calculators, helping owners:
Make informed decisions
Choose affordable options
Avoid being misled by marketing
All profits go back into supporting dog owners through The Good Paw Project.
When to reassess feeding amounts
Recheck portions if:
Your dog gains or loses weight
Activity level changes
Neutering status changes
Diet changes
Financial circumstances change
Feeding is not static—and that’s okay.
Get help (without pressure or shame)
If you’re unsure how much to feed your dog:
Do a free diet assessment to calculate your dog’s calories
Use the Dog Food Cost Calculator to manage costs
Join The Canine Collective for practical tools
Access support through The Good Paw Project
Feeding your dog should feel manageable, not overwhelming.
Key takeaways
Feeding guides are estimates—not instructions
Calories matter more than portions
Overfeeding is common and often unintentional
Budget-friendly feeding is possible
Tools and support make accurate feeding easier
If you’ve ever worried you’re feeding too much, too little, or spending more than you can sustain—you’re not failing. You’re navigating a system that rarely supports real life.
And you don’t have to do it alone 🐾