Nutrition
Dog Feeding Guides
Daily portions and meal frequency by life stage and size. These are starting points — your dog's ideal amount depends on metabolism, body condition, and activity.
Adult dogs — typical daily amounts
These ranges assume a standard adult maintenance kibble (~350–400 kcal/cup). For exact calories, use the Feeding Calculator.
| Weight | Cups/day | Meals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (5–20 lb) | 1/2 – 1 1/4 cups | 2–3 meals | Watch for hypoglycemia in very small puppies. |
| Medium (20–50 lb) | 1 1/4 – 2 1/3 cups | 2 meals | Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day. |
| Large (50–90 lb) | 2 1/3 – 3 1/2 cups | 2 meals | Split meals to reduce bloat risk in deep-chested breeds. |
| Giant (90+ lb) | 3 1/2 – 5+ cups | 2 meals | Use large/giant-breed formulas; avoid free-feeding. |
Puppies
8–12 weeks: 4 meals/day. 3–6 months: 3 meals/day. 6–12 months: 2 meals/day. Use a growth or all-life-stages formula. Large-breed puppies need a large-breed puppy formula until 18–24 months.
Seniors (7+ years)
Most seniors need 10–20% fewer calories due to lower activity. Maintain protein for muscle mass and watch body condition monthly.