Pup Sizer

How much to feed a dog, by weight and breed

Every number here comes from one published formula: resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × body weight in kg0.75, multiplied by the Merck Veterinary Manual's maintenance factor for the dog's life stage, then divided by the kcal per cup printed on your bag.

Quick table: calories and cups by weight

WeightRERNeutered adult (×1.6)Cups at 369Intact adult (×1.8)Inactive (×1.4)
5 lb129207 kcal½233 kcal181 kcalDetail
10 lb218348 kcal1392 kcal305 kcalDetail
15 lb295472 kcal1¼531 kcal413 kcalDetail
20 lb366585 kcal1½659 kcal512 kcalDetail
25 lb433692 kcal2779 kcal606 kcalDetail
30 lb496794 kcal2¼893 kcal694 kcalDetail
40 lb615985 kcal2¾1108 kcal862 kcalDetail
50 lb7271164 kcal3¼1309 kcal1018 kcalDetail
60 lb8341335 kcal3½1501 kcal1168 kcalDetail
70 lb9361498 kcal41685 kcal1311 kcalDetail
80 lb10351656 kcal4½1863 kcal1449 kcalDetail
90 lb11311809 kcal52035 kcal1583 kcalDetail
100 lb12231958 kcal5¼2202 kcal1713 kcalDetail
120 lb14032244 kcal62525 kcal1964 kcalDetail

Factors: Merck Veterinary Manual. Cups use 369 kcal/cup, the label figure for Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice (adult dry) (Purina). Checked 2026-10-20.

Why calories per pound fall as dogs get bigger

RER scales with weight to the 0.75 power, so doubling a dog's weight raises its calories by about 68%, not 100%. A 10 lb dog needs 35 kcal per pound as a neutered adult; a 70 lb dog needs 21. That is why a "cups per 10 lb" rule of thumb overfeeds large dogs and underfeeds small ones, and why bag charts have wide bands.

The factor matters as much as the weight. Neutering lowers energy needs by roughly the gap between the 1.6 and 1.8 columns, and a dog that is already overweight should start from the 1.4 column. Puppies are the opposite: three times RER under four months and twice RER after, falling to the adult factor at maturity — the puppy charts lay that out per breed.

Feeding by breed

Breed pages run the formula across the standard's adult weight range and compare it with breeds of similar size.

Akita (American)100–130 lb · 1958–2383 kcal/day Australian Shepherd35–70 lb · 891–1498 kcal/day Basset Hound55–75 lb · 1250–1578 kcal/day Beagle22–25 lb · 629–692 kcal/day Belgian Malinois55–65 lb · 1250–1417 kcal/day Bernese Mountain Dog80–120 lb · 1656–2244 kcal/day Border Collie31–55 lb · 813–1250 kcal/day Boston Terrier6–25 lb · 237–692 kcal/day Boxer50–85 lb · 1164–1733 kcal/day Brittany30–40 lb · 794–985 kcal/day Bulldog40–50 lb · 985–1164 kcal/day Cane Corso100–110 lb · 1958–2103 kcal/day Cavalier King Charles Spaniel13–18 lb · 424–541 kcal/day Chihuahua3–6 lb · 141–237 kcal/day Cocker Spaniel24–30 lb · 671–794 kcal/day Dachshund (Miniature)up to 11 lb · 374 kcal/day Dachshund (Standard)16–32 lb · 495–833 kcal/day Doberman Pinscher90–100 lb · 1809–1958 kcal/day English Springer Spaniel40–60 lb · 985–1335 kcal/day French Bulldog20–31 lb · 585–813 kcal/day German Shepherd Dog66–88 lb · 1433–1779 kcal/day German Shorthaired Pointer55–70 lb · 1250–1498 kcal/day Golden Retriever65–75 lb · 1417–1578 kcal/day Great Dane110–180 lb · 2103–3042 kcal/day Great Pyrenees120–165 lb · 2244–2850 kcal/day Havanese7–14 lb · 266–448 kcal/day Jack Russell Terrier14–18 lb · 448–541 kcal/day Labrador Retriever65–80 lb · 1417–1656 kcal/day Maltese7–9 lb · 266–322 kcal/day Mastiff180–190 lb · 3042–3168 kcal/day Miniature Schnauzer9–18 lb · 322–541 kcal/day Newfoundland143–176 lb · 2560–2991 kcal/day Pembroke Welsh Corgi24–31 lb · 671–813 kcal/day Pomeranian3–7 lb · 141–266 kcal/day Poodle (Miniature)10–15 lb · 348–472 kcal/day Poodle (Standard)44–71 lb · 1058–1514 kcal/day Poodle (Toy)4.5–6.5 lb · 191–252 kcal/day Pug14–18 lb · 448–541 kcal/day Rottweiler110–132 lb · 2103–2411 kcal/day Saint Bernard120–200 lb · 2244–3292 kcal/day Shetland Sheepdogabout 20 lb · 585 kcal/day Shiba Inu18–22 lb · 541–629 kcal/day Shih Tzu9–16 lb · 322–495 kcal/day Siberian Husky45–60 lb · 1076–1335 kcal/day Vizsla45–66 lb · 1076–1433 kcal/day Weimaraner66–88 lb · 1433–1779 kcal/day West Highland White Terrier15–20 lb · 472–585 kcal/day Whippet24–40 lb · 671–985 kcal/day Yorkshire Terrierup to 7 lb · 266 kcal/day

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