Feeding by breed and weight / by weight
Feeding by weight · 38.6 kg
How much to feed a 85 lb dog
A 85 lb (38.6 kg) dog has a resting energy requirement of 1083 kcal. As a neutered adult with normal activity that becomes 1733 kcal a day, or 4¾ cups of a 369 kcal/cup kibble; an intact adult needs 1950 kcal, and a dog that is inactive or gains weight easily 1516 kcal. Puppies that currently weigh 85 lb need far more: 3249 kcal under four months, 2166 kcal after.
- 1Body weight 85 lb (38.6 kg)
- 2Neutered adult 1733 kcal a day
- 3Cups 4¾ cups at 369 kcal/cup
85 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 | 1733 | 4¾ | 5¾ | 3¾ | 456 g |
| Intact adult, normal activity | × 1.8 | 1950 | 5¼ | 6½ | 4¼ | 504 g |
| Adult, inactive or prone to weight gain | × 1.4 | 1516 | 4 | 5 | 3¼ | 384 g |
| Puppy under 4 months | × 3 | 3249 | 8¾ | 10¾ | 7¼ | 840 g |
| Puppy 4 months to adult size | × 2 | 2166 | 5¾ | 7¼ | 4¾ | 552 g |
RER = 70 × 38.60.75 = 1083 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 85 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 the gap between the neutered and intact rows is 217 kcal — about 0.6 cups a day — so the right row matters more than the brand of food.
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 85 lb dog
By the manufacturer's weight bands a 85 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 85 lb
- German Shepherd Dog (66–88 lb)
- Boxer (50–85 lb)
- Bernese Mountain Dog (80–120 lb)
- Weimaraner (66–88 lb)
- Rhodesian Ridgeback (about 85 lb)
- Alaskan Malamute (about 85 lb)
- Borzoi (75–105 lb)
- Clumber Spaniel (70–85 lb)
- Giant Schnauzer (75–105 lb)
- Chow Chow (40–90 lb)
- Old English Sheepdog (79–101 lb)
- Beauceron (66–99 lb)