Feeding by breed and weight / by weight
How much to feed a 15 lb dog
A 15 lb (6.8 kg) dog has a resting energy requirement of 295 kcal. As a neutered adult with normal activity that becomes 472 kcal a day, or 1¼ cups of a 369 kcal/cup kibble; an intact adult needs 531 kcal, and a dog that is inactive or gains weight easily 413 kcal. Puppies that currently weigh 15 lb need far more: 885 kcal under four months, 590 kcal after.
15 lb dog feeding table
| Life stage / activity | Factor | kcal/day | Cups at 369 | Cups at 300 | Cups at 450 | Grams (96 g/cup) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutered adult, normal activity | × 1.6 | 472 | 1¼ | 1½ | 1 | 120 g |
| Intact adult, normal activity | × 1.8 | 531 | 1½ | 1¾ | 1¼ | 144 g |
| Adult, inactive or prone to weight gain | × 1.4 | 413 | 1 | 1½ | 1 | 96 g |
| Puppy under 4 months | × 3 | 885 | 2½ | 3 | 2 | 240 g |
| Puppy 4 months to adult size | × 2 | 590 | 1½ | 2 | 1¼ | 144 g |
RER = 70 × 6.80.75 = 295 kcal. Factors: Merck Veterinary Manual. The 369 kcal/cup column is Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice (adult dry) (369 kcal/cup per Purina's label); the 300 and 450 columns bracket the usual range printed on adult dry foods. Checked 2026-10-20.
Reading the table
Pick the row that describes the dog, then the column that matches the kcal per cup on your bag — it is printed near the guaranteed analysis, usually as "kcal/cup" or "kcal ME/cup". The puppy rows apply to a puppy that weighs 15 lb today; a growing puppy should be re-weighed and the amount recalculated every two weeks, which the breed puppy charts do for you. At this size a single training treat is a meaningful fraction of the day's calories, so count them.
These are maintenance starting points for a healthy dog. Weigh the dog monthly and check body condition — ribs easy to feel, visible waist — and adjust by about 10% if it is drifting. Pregnant or nursing dogs, working dogs and dogs with a diagnosed condition need a vet's number, not a table.
Other sizes for a 15 lb dog
By the manufacturer's weight bands a 15 lb dog takes a 24 in crate (Small, 23.6 × 16.7 × 19.1 in interior; measure the dog's length to confirm), and a Small rectangle bed (28 × 18 in) on Orvis's chart. Harness size depends on chest girth rather than weight — see the harness size chart.
Breeds whose standard weight includes 15 lb
- Poodle (Miniature) (10–15 lb)
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (13–18 lb)
- Miniature Schnauzer (9–18 lb)
- Shih Tzu (9–16 lb)
- Boston Terrier (6–25 lb)
- Pug (14–18 lb)
- Jack Russell Terrier (14–18 lb)
- West Highland White Terrier (15–20 lb)