How Much to Feed a Dog or Cat: Feeding Charts by Weight

A typical 10 kg neutered adult dog needs about 630 calories a day, and a typical 4 kg neutered indoor cat needs about 240. The exact amount depends on size, age, neuter status and activity, and the number of cups or grams depends entirely on the calorie density printed on your food's label. Use the charts below as a starting point, then adjust based on your pet's weight and body condition every 2 to 4 weeks.

The short answer

• Start with calories, not cups. Two foods can differ by more than 100 kcal per cup, so the same scoop can mean very different portions.
• Use the formula, then the scale. Daily calories come from body weight and life stage; your pet's weight trend tells you if the estimate fits.
• Feed adult dogs twice a day. Adult cats do well on two or more meals, or measured grazing.
• Puppies and kittens eat more often: three to four meals a day while young.
• Treats should stay at or under 10% of daily calories.
• Weigh your pet every 2 to 4 weeks and adjust portions by about 10% if weight or body shape is moving the wrong way.

How many calories does a dog or cat need?

Veterinarians usually estimate a pet's daily energy needs in two steps. The WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines and most veterinary nutrition references use the same approach.

1. Resting energy requirement (RER): the calories needed at rest. RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75.
2. Maintenance energy requirement: RER multiplied by a life-stage factor. Commonly cited factors are about 1.6 for a neutered adult dog, 1.8 for an intact adult dog, 1.0 for a dog on a weight-loss plan, and 2 to 3 for puppies. For cats, about 1.2 for a neutered adult, 1.4 for an intact adult, 0.8 to 1.0 for weight loss, and around 2.5 for kittens.

These factors are averages. Individual pets can need 20% more or less than the formula predicts, which is why the scale has the final say.

Dog feeding chart by weight (daily calories)

For weight loss, the calculation should use your dog's target weight, not their current weight. Very active working dogs can need considerably more than the neutered column, and many less active or older dogs need less.

Cat feeding chart (daily calories)

Not sure what your cat should weigh? Our cat weight chart by breed covers typical ranges and how to judge body condition.

How do I turn calories into cups or grams?

Find the calorie statement on the bag or can. It is usually listed as kcal per cup, kcal per can, and kcal per kilogram. Then divide.

Worked example. Bella is a 20 kg neutered adult dog. From the chart, she needs about 1,059 kcal per day.

1. Set aside 10% for treats: about 105 kcal. That leaves about 954 kcal for her main food.
2. Her dry food label says 350 kcal per cup and 3,500 kcal per kg. These are example values, so use the numbers on your own bag.
3. Cups per day: 954 ÷ 350 = about 2.7 cups, or roughly 1.4 cups per meal across two meals.
4. Grams per day: 3,500 kcal per kg is 3.5 kcal per gram, so 954 ÷ 3.5 = about 273 g per day.

Weighing kibble on a kitchen scale is more accurate than using a scoop, because cups are rarely filled the same way twice.

The same math works for cats. A 4 kg neutered cat needing about 238 kcal, eating a wet food labeled 80 kcal per 85 g can (an example value), would need roughly three cans a day if fed only that food. Most owners combine wet and dry, so add up the calories from both.

Know if the portion is right. Log meals and weigh-ins in PetVitals and watch the weight chart tell you whether to adjust. Download on the App Store · Get it on Google Play

How often should I feed my dog or cat?

Adult dogs: two meals a day, roughly 8 to 12 hours apart, works well for most dogs. It keeps hunger steady and makes it easy to notice if your dog stops eating. Large, deep-chested breeds are often advised to avoid one very large meal and vigorous exercise right after eating.

Adult cats: cats naturally eat many small meals. Two or more measured meals a day, or a measured daily portion left out for grazing, are both reasonable. The key word is measured: an always-full bowl is one of the most common routes to an overweight cat. Puzzle feeders and several small portions can help indoor cats.

How many times a day should I feed a puppy or kitten?

Puppies: three to four meals a day until about 6 months of age, then two meals a day. Large and giant breed puppies should eat a food formulated for large-breed growth, because growing too fast can stress developing joints. Feed to keep a lean body shape rather than to a fixed number.

Kittens: three to four meals a day while young, then two to three meals a day as they approach adulthood. Kittens need around 2.5 times their RER, so they eat far more per kilogram than adult cats. Use a food labeled for growth or all life stages.

Puppies and kittens change weight quickly, so recalculate portions every week or two during the first months.

How much should I feed a dog or cat that needs to lose weight?

Weight loss plans usually start at about 1.0 × RER for dogs and 0.8 to 1.0 × RER for cats, calculated at the target weight. A safe pace is gradual, often around 1 to 2% of body weight per week for dogs and slower for cats. Cats should never be put on a crash diet, because rapid weight loss can trigger a serious liver condition called hepatic lipidosis.

Practical steps:

• Weigh food instead of scooping it.
• Count treats and table scraps, and keep them under 10% of calories. Some human foods are not just fattening but dangerous; see foods toxic to dogs and cats.
• Weigh your pet every 2 weeks and adjust by about 10% if progress stalls.
• Ask your vet before starting, especially if your pet is very overweight or has another health condition.

What are the signs I am overfeeding or underfeeding?

Body condition score (BCS) is a hands-on check vets use, usually on a 9-point scale where 4 to 5 is ideal.

Signs of overfeeding:

• You cannot easily feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat.
• No visible waist when viewed from above.
• A sagging belly or fat pad, especially in cats.
• Steady weight gain on the scale.
• Food often left in the bowl, or soft, large stools.

Signs of underfeeding:

• Ribs, spine or hip bones are easily visible.
• Loss of muscle along the back and hips.
• Ongoing weight loss.
• Constant hunger, scavenging or low energy.

Unexplained weight loss, or a sudden change in appetite or thirst, is a reason to see a vet rather than to change the portion. Our guide on how much water a dog or cat should drink explains when thirst changes matter.

How do I switch foods without upsetting my pet's stomach?

Change gradually over 7 to 10 days:

1. Days 1 to 3: about 25% new food, 75% old food.
2. Days 4 to 6: about 50% of each.
3. Days 7 to 9: about 75% new food.
4. Day 10: 100% new food.

Recalculate the portion when you switch. If the new food has more calories per cup, the same scoop will mean more calories. Cats can be pickier, so slow down if your cat refuses the mix.

How to track feeding and weight

Feeding charts give you a starting number. Tracking tells you whether that number is right for your pet. In PetVitals:

1. Set meal reminders for each pet so breakfast and dinner happen on schedule, even when someone else is feeding.
2. Log meals in a few taps to see what and when your pet ate, which helps when several people share feeding duty.
3. Add weight records every couple of weeks. The weight chart shows the trend, so you can see if a portion change is working.
4. Share a PDF summary with your vet at checkups, with weight history and notes in one place.

A final note

These numbers are starting points for healthy pets. Pets with kidney disease, diabetes, food allergies or other medical conditions often need a specific diet and portion set by a veterinarian. When in doubt, bring your food label and your pet's weight history to your next visit.

Track meals and weight in PetVitals, free to start. Download on the App Store · Get it on Google Play