How Much Should I Feed My Dog? Why You Know Best

If you've ever stared at the back of a dog food packet and felt overwhelmed, you're not alone. “How much should I feed my dog?” is one of the most common (and confusing) questions for pet parents. Feeding guides are meant to help, but they often create more anxiety than confidence. Because while those guidelines are a starting point, they don’t account for the most important factor of all: your individual dog.

Let’s break it down and give you some simple tools to help feed your dog with confidence – without overthinking it.

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Start With a Guide (But Don't Be a Slave to It)

For adult dogs, and we’re keeping it simple here, puppies need their own tailored advice. Here’s a basic rule of thumb:

• Moisture-rich food (like raw or home-cooked): around 1 cup per 10kg of body weight per day
  
  
• Dry food like kibble: about 2/3 cup per 10kg per day
  
  
• Freeze-dried or air-dried food: closer to 1/2 cup per 10kg per day, since it's more concentrated and typically contains fewer fillers
  
  

So, for example, a 20kg dog eating fresh food would get about 2 cups a day. If you're feeding twice daily, just divide that into two meals.

These are starting points, what matters more is how your dog responds.

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What If You’re Co-Feeding?

If you’re co-feeding, combining fresh food with kibble or another type of food, that’s perfectly fine! Here’s the simplest way to do it:

• Feed twice daily
  
  
• For each meal, give half of the daily portion of fresh food and half of the kibble portion
  
  

For example, if your dog needs 2 cups of fresh food and 1.5 cups of kibble per day, give 1 cup of fresh food and ¾ cup of kibble at each meal.

It’s easy, and it keeps things balanced. Over time as your confidence builds you can continue to transition to a 100% balanced fresh food diet.

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Why Every Dog Is Different

Just like us, dogs have different metabolisms. A young, active kelpie will burn through calories faster than a 10-year-old pug who naps most of the day. Factors like breed, age, neuter status, activity level, stress levels, and even the weather (yes, cold dogs often need more energy!) can influence their nutritional needs.

That’s why the golden rule is: feed the dog in front of you. Watch their body, not the packet.

And this is exactly why we recommend starting with a basic feeding approach for two weeks. It’s a short, safe timeframe, your dog won’t gain or lose too much, but it gives you a chance to observe how they’re doing and build feeding confidence without overthinking it.

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How to Tell: Use Body Condition Score

After those two weeks, it’s time to check in. The easiest and most practical way? Use Body Condition Score (BCS).

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It’s a simple visual and hands-on check to see if your dog is underweight, ideal, or overweight:

• You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs easily with light pressure but not see them clearly.
  
  
• From above, they should have a waist.
  
  
• From the side, there should be a gentle tuck behind the ribs.
  
  

Now, here’s the part people often overthink: adjusting food.

If your dog has lost weight, increase their food by 25%. If they’ve gained weight, reduce it by 25%.

That sounds like a lot, but it’s actually very simple:

25% = 1/4 cup for every 1 cup of food.
So if your dog is eating 2 cups per day and needs more, just add ½ cup total per day.
Need to cut back? Remove ½ cup total per day.

Then, check again in two weeks. Repeat the same process, small adjustments, simple checks, until your dog is maintaining a healthy, stable weight.

Things That Can Skew Feeding

Even with all the right intentions, there are a few things that can throw off your dog’s intake:

• Fattier meats like lamb or pork provide more calories than lean proteins like kangaroo or chicken.
  
  
• Kibble is higher in carbohydrates, which isn’t natural for dogs. Many dogs maintain a healthier weight and more stable energy on fresh food due to lower carb content and higher moisture.
  
  
• Treats add up, often more than we think! That training reward, dental chew, or shared bit of toast might be tipping the scales. Keep them in mind when adjusting meals.
  
  

Building Confidence (Not Perfection)

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to pay attention. Feeding your dog isn’t an exact science, it’s a dynamic process. As long as you’re checking in with your dog’s body, adjusting portions based on what you observe, and feeding real, nourishing food, you’re doing an amazing job.

So, take a deep breath. You’ve got this. And if you’re ever in doubt, your vet or vet nutritionist can help review your dog’s diet and give you reassurance.

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Final Word

Feeding your dog is one of the most powerful things you can do for their health. And it doesn’t need to feel hard. Use the guidelines as a base, watch how your dog responds, and make small adjustments as needed.

And remember, feeding is never one-size-fits-all. It’s about tuning in to the individual dog in front of you.

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About the Author - Dr. Nicole Rous

Dr. Nicole Rous completed her degree with Honours from the University of Sydney in 2008. She initially worked in the UK before returning to small animal practice in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Nicole has a keen interest in animal reproduction and has been granted Membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in this specialty. She is also passionate about complementary therapies such as massage and enjoys discussing ways to enhance pets' overall well-being and quality of life.

In August 2021, Dr. Nicole joined the Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery team as a director and continues to provide exceptional care to her patients. She is dedicated to utilising her knowledge and experience to assist pets in living longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Dr. Nicole's commitment to providing natural and holistic health practices for pets inspired her to establish Shy Tiger, a company that offers natural pet products made from premium ingredients sourced primarily from Australian farms and producers. Her expertise in natural health practices and dedication to providing excellent care to her patients make her a reliable partner for pet owners in Melbourne and beyond.

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Reference

Laflamme, D.P. (1997). Development and validation of a body condition score system for dogs. Canine Practice, 22(1), 10–15.

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