Feeding by breed and weight / by weight

Feeding by weight · 34.0 kg

How much to feed a 75 lb dog

A 75 lb (34.0 kg) dog has a resting energy requirement of 986 kcal. As a neutered adult with normal activity that becomes 1578 kcal a day, or 4¼ cups of a 369 kcal/cup kibble; an intact adult needs 1775 kcal, and a dog that is inactive or gains weight easily 1380 kcal. Puppies that currently weigh 75 lb need far more: 2958 kcal under four months, 1972 kcal after.

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  1. 1Body weight 75 lb (34.0 kg)
  2. 2Neutered adult 1578 kcal a day
  3. 3Cups 4¼ cups at 369 kcal/cup
RER at 75 lb
986 kcal
Neutered adult
1578 kcal · 4¼ cups
Intact adult
1775 kcal · 4¾ cups
Inactive / weight-prone
1380 kcal · 3¾ cups
Neutered1578 kcalIntact1775 kcalAdult1380 kcalPuppy under 4 months2958 kcalPuppy 4 months to adult size1972 kcal
Calories a day for a 75 lb dog by life stage and activity: RER × the Merck factor.

75 lb dog feeding table

Life stage / activityFactorkcal/dayCups at 369Cups at 300Cups at 450Grams (96 g/cup)
Neutered adult, normal activity× 1.615784¼5¼3½408 g
Intact adult, normal activity× 1.817754¾64456 g
Adult, inactive or prone to weight gain× 1.413803¾4½3360 g
Puppy under 4 months× 3295889¾6½768 g
Puppy 4 months to adult size× 219725¼6½4½504 g

RER = 70 × 34.00.75 = 986 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 75 lb today; a growing puppy should be re-weighed and the amount recalculated every two weeks, which the breed puppy charts do for you. The difference between the neutered and intact rows is 197 kcal, roughly 0.5 cups, which is the most common reason a dog fed "by the bag" gains weight.

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 75 lb dog

By the manufacturer's weight bands a 75 lb dog takes a 42 in crate (Large, 41.9 × 29.5 × 30.3 in interior; measure the dog's length to confirm), and a Large rectangle bed (43 × 29 in) on Orvis's chart. Harness size depends on chest girth rather than weight — see the harness size chart.

Breeds whose standard weight includes 75 lb