How much wet food should a 5kg dog eat a day

How Much Food To Feed Your Dog: Fact Checked By Our Vet

How Much Food To Feed Your Dog: Fact Checked By Our Vet

Written By Eloisa Thomas| Canine Coach, Double M.A in Anthropology.Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | B.A Journalism & Science.Last Updated: 7th January 2024

Many new dog owners wonder how much food to feed a dog.

Depending on their size, age and activity level, your pup will need more or less food per day. They may even need a different number of servings per day.

Your dogs feeding needs depend on many factors so it isnt possible to give a blanket answer that will work for everyone. But we can try! In attempting to do so, we teamed up with canine nutrition experts to compile this guide.

Here are some simple guidelines you can follow on how much food to feed a dog every day to ensure your dog is getting enough food!

Check out our YouTube video on How Much Food To Feed Your Dog

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

If youre wondering how much to feed a dog per day by weight, youre on the right track. While there isnt a one-size-fits-all answer, starting with their weight is usually your best bet.

Related:How Much Wet Food Should You Feed Your Dog?Related: How Much Raw Food Should You Feed Your Dog?

In general, the amount you need to feed a dog is related both to their age and their ideal weight. In all cases, you should try to offer your pup the best dog food adapted to their needs. High-quality dog food has all the nutrients your furry friend needs to stay healthy and happy.

PRO TIP:Your dog should eat according to their size, weight, activity level, age and the type of food youre feeding them.

As a rule of thumb, dogs need about 1/3 cup of dry food per day for every 5 kilograms of weight. Keep in mind puppies may need 2x or even 3x as much, depending on the breed and age.

A good starting point is reading the label of your chosen food. Weigh your dog and follow the manufacturers guidelines for a couple of days. If you see your dog leaves food in their bowl or seems hungry even after eating, adjust the quantities as needed.Related:How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Digest Food?

How much should you feed a small dog?

Toy breeds and small dogs eat less food than their larger counterparts. If you have a Chihuahua, Shih Tzu or Pekingese, these are considered toy or mini breeds. Or if you're like me and have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, small Poodle, Boston Terrier or French Bulldogs, then keep in mind that these are small dogs.

Here are some general guidelines on how much food you should give your small dog [2]:

• Mini breeds under 1.5 kilograms need about 1/3 cup or 140 calories per day
• Small dogs around 5 kilograms need around cup or 340 calories per day.
• Dogs that are about 10 kilograms will need 1 cup of dry food per day.

PRO TIP:Small and toy breed puppies are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). If left untreated, your puppy will show lethargy, weakness and even seizures. Its very important you offer your small breed puppy several small meals a day to keep their sugar stable. When in doubt, offer a small energy-dense treat like a piece of fruit. Bananas work well!

How much should you feed a large or giant dog?

Medium, large and giant dogs eat a lot of food. However, you should be careful to avoid overfeeding. Your pup will be much healthier if they stay at a healthy bodyweight. According to PetMD, heres how much you should feed your dog:

• Medium dogs, 15 kilograms: 1 cups of dry food per day, or around 780 calories.
• Medium dogs, 25 kilograms: 2 cups of dry food per day, or around 1100 calories.
• Large dogs, 30 kilograms: 3 cups of dry food, or around 1300 calories.
• Giant breeds, 40 kilograms or more: 4 to 4 cups of dry food per day, or around 1800 calories.

Keep in mind your dogs calorie needs may vary as much as 25% more or less than the recommended amount Jennifer Coates, DVM [2]

How Often Should You Feed A Dog?

In general, veterinarians recommend that adult dogs eat 2 meals a day. Larger and giant breeds that are prone to bloat do better eating several smaller meals a day. In that case, a third meal might be the best option.

The amounts showed above are the total food and calories a dog should have per day.

You can break that in as many meals as youd like or as advised by your vet.

Of course, keep in mind that puppies eat more frequently than adult dogs.

PRO TIP:To keep messes at bay, place a plastic dog feeding mat to catch crumbs and debris. Your floors will thank you!

Should Large & Small Breeds Eat The Same Food?

Not really!

Large and small breeds have different metabolisms and health needs. As such, our team of experts note that high-quality dog food for their size offers proper nutrition adapted to those requirements.

Small breed dogs have a fast metabolism and need a diet thats slightly high in calories. On top of that, small dogs have significantly smaller jaws and their kibble should fit their mouths. Just imagine having to eat food the size of a brick, all in one bite! Thats how a small dog feels when you offer regular kibble. I discovered this the same day I brought home my adopted toy poodle. After all, small-bite kibble is designed for small jaws, like his!

Large and small dog breeds have different metabolism and need specific food adapted to their energy needs.

On the other hand, large breed dogs tend to have joint issues and are more prone to bloating. As such, they need food with extra supplements (like glucosamine) and specific calcium levels. Large dog breed food is a little less energy dense than small breed dog food, to fit the slower metabolism of large and giant breeds.

PRO TIP:Large breed puppies need to grow slowly to avoid calcium deficiency and ensure their joints stay strong as adults. When in doubt, its better to slightly underfeed a giant-breed puppy than offer too much food too soon. Talk to your veterinarian to adjust your puppys feeding schedule as needed.

How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?

Puppies grow fast and their feeding needs change daily. If you have the time, weighing your puppy every day will offer a good starting point to calculate how much food to offer. However, most owners dont have the time or the proper scale to weigh their little ones.

When theyre very young, puppies should drink their mothers milk freely. Once the mum starts weaning them, our experts recommend you offer regular puppy food adapted to their adult size. Below youll find how much to feed a puppy based on weight, as advised by veterinarians:

Daily calorie needs of small breed puppies (based on adult weight)
Daily calorie needs of medium-sized puppies (based on adult weight)
Daily calorie needs of large and giant puppies (based on adult weight)

How Often Should You Feed A Puppy?

Wondering whether or not is it ok to feed a puppy twice a day? Here are some general guidelines offered by our expert team of canine nutritionists:

If you have a mama dog with puppies, you can start offering free-grazing puppy food as early as three weeks old. If you feel your puppies are overeating, limit the free-grazing to a couple of hours twice a day.

However, once they are weaned, or if you get a puppy thats 2 months old or older, put food out at regular intervals. In general, four times a day is ideal.

PRO TIP:Stick to regular intervals when feeding puppies. If youre feeding 4x per day, offer food every 6 hours. That probably means youll be feeding puppies late at night and early morning, but it will keep them properly fed and healthy.

When your puppy reaches 4 months old and is starting to teeth, theyll do great eating 3 times a day and should be eating the best puppy food available in Australia. Then, once theyre 6 months old, you can switch them to an adult schedule and offer just 2 meals a day.

How Much Should I Feed A Dog With Specific Health Issues?

These recommendations are general guidelines aimed at healthy dogs. If your pup has other health issues like kidney or liver problems, obesity or gastritis, their meal schedule and food amounts may change.

As long as the dog food is nutritionally complete and balanced and has the AAFCO [Association of American Feed Control Officials] guidelines on it, you'll be fine. Marty Becker, veterinarian at North Idaho Animal Hospital. [3]

Related:What is AAFCO? The Association of American Feed Control OfficialsRelated:What Is the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA)?Related:AAFCO vs PFIAA: Dog Food Standards Comparison AustraliaIn such cases, our team notes that your best option is consulting with a trusted veterinarian. They will evaluate your dog and recommend a feeding plan suited to their needs.

Related: How To Fatten Up My Dog?

PRO TIP:If your dog has special health needs, ask your vet about choosing food tailored to their needs instead of regular food. Nowadays you can find specialty foods created to fit weight-loss plans, sensitive stomachs and even low-sodium diets.

Our Other Must Read Dog Nutrition Articles

Should large and small puppies eat the same food? Whats the difference between small and large dog food?

While small breed and large breed puppies can eat the same food, its best if they dont. The difference between small and large dog food goes beyond the size of the kibble.In fact, small breed dog food is more energy dense created to fuel their fast metabolism. On the other hand, large breed dogs have a slower metabolism and need food with a lower calorie count. If you dont offer the right food and amounts, your small puppy can be underfed or your large pup will grow too fast.Offering your dog high-quality food adapted to their size and metabolism is the best way to ensure a healthy life further down the road.

Can puppies and adult dogs eat the same food?

No.Puppies are growing, and because of that they usually need a calorie-dense diet. If you feed that same food to an adult dog, they will probably gain weight.In addition, puppies also need more calcium than adult dogs. As such, puppy food has specific nutrients (like calcium and vitamin D) to support the growing body of a normal puppy. In contrast, an adult dog eating too much calcium wont absorb it and instead, it can cause constipation.

References

1. Are you feeding your dog the right amount?. PetMD. Available here. https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/dr-coates/2015/july/are-you-feeding-your-dog-right-amount-32905
2. Puppy feeding guide. Nom Nom Now. Available here. https://www.nomnomnow.com/learn/puppy-care/puppy-feeding-guide#puppy-feeding-chart
3. Interview with Vet Marty Becker, Author 'Your Dog: The Owner's Manual'. AARP. Available here. https://www.aarp.org/relationships/pets/info-05-2011/interview-marty-becker-veterinarian-author-speaks.html

How Much Wet Food to Feed a Dog (Calculations From Experts)

Key Takeaways

• Feeding wet food to dogs should be according to the dogs weight. Specifically, we should offer pets around 3 oz of wet food for every 3.5 pounds of their body weight.
• When switching from dry to wet doggy meals, note that a 1/4 cup of dry is equal to 3 oz of wet.
• Slight adjustments can be made on the portions if feeding for weight loss, weight gain, or perhaps for nursing moms. Seniors dogs and puppies eat differently and follow different rations since theyre in different life stages.

Dogs should get around 3 oz of wet food for every 3.5 pounds of body weight. This should be divided into two meals and then served to your dog one in the morning and another one in the afternoon. Some dog owners I know like to mix wet and dry food. Note though that the two arent equal usually, 3 oz of wet feed is the same as a 1/4 cup of dry food I like to weigh them separately before mixing. On the plus side, I find that mixing dry and wet food prevents my dogs from being picky which helps in case their regular food isnt available yet!

Reasons Why Wet Food is Good for Dogs

Additional moisture

Wet meals have more moisture, of course, compared to dry food. It is also suitable for dogs that do not drink enough water and are prone to dehydration. I typically feed wet food to my rescues since its more hydrating and gentler to their deprived stomachs. It can also be good for those dogs that experience kidney problems. Ive noticed though that quickly making the change from dry to wet food can also cause health problems like diarrhea. I would always consult the vet and follow a slow transition so theres time for my rescue to adapt.

It is easier to chew

Does your senior dog eat slowly? For older adult dogs that cannot handle dry kibble because of their teeth, canned or wet food is great because it goes down easier and helps them chew the food. It can also help prevent pain which happens in senior dogs with poor dental care. I suggest checking out some of the best fresh dog food brands that offer nutritious wet pet meals.

Higher protein levels

One of the exciting things about wet feed is that they are formulated with higher levels of protein and less carbohydrate than dry kibble. So basically, the meat content is higher in wet feed compared to kibble. Though not all wet dog food is made the same way, it would still be important to read the ingredients to confirm the protein content before settling on one wet canned dog food. Brands like Midwestern Pet Foods also offer insight on how they make and formulate their food so I find it more assuring to buy from these names.

It is more palatable

Most canned foods are made with natural ingredients that a dog eats more happily. That is because the actual chunks of meat and vegetables make the food more appealing to the dog. Dogs have a more developed sense of smell [1] than people, so they can sense when the food is organic and has fewer preservatives. It probably attracts them more to canned food as well because the moisture helps to bring the aroma out. Fresh meals, however, are still different in terms of palatability. Check out my canned vs fresh dog food comparison to learn more.

How Much Wet food to Feed Your Dog

Giving a dog about 3 oz of wet food per three pounds of the dogs weight would be advisable. That means a 30-pound dog must consume 1.8 pounds of a wet meal. That is also divided into two or more meals. The amount can be adjusted as needed to help maintain the dogs ideal body condition.

There are also age recommendations. For example, I would often give puppies more wet dog food since they have higher caloric requirements than adult dogs. I also make a point of keeping the supply of crisp water easily and constantly accessible. Medically accepted feeding guidelines typically change too so I also like to subscribe to any of todays best dog food delivery service companies that provide balanced meals for your dogs specific needs.

Tips for Giving Your Dog Wet Food

Deciding with a mix of wet food and the dry dog food

Some dogs enjoy canned or wet dog food when it is mixed together with dry food. It is because both come with nutritional benefits. I typically call this a topping or an add-on to the dogs overall caloric consumption. It can make the dry food that much more exciting for the dog as well. When I do this, I make sure to compute the overall calories separately so I know exactly how much my dog is getting.

Determine the right portion size

As stated before, medium breeds like a 30-pound Australian Cattle would need close to two pounds of wet dog food, and this is divided over two meals. For large breed dogs, it can eat more food around two cups of wet feed daily, while the amount is substantially reduced for small breed dogs. However, that is also dependent on the activities and health conditions. If the dog is not active or suffering from obesity, it would be better to reduce the dogs food to just one cup per day or as needed. Since I get lots of rescues, I usually have a feeding chart at home to guide me with the pets food.

Fresh water

Its crucial that dogs have access to fresh and clean water all the time. You can feed your dog wet meals but thats no replacement to pure, crisp water. The water bowl should be kept clean throughout the day. Dogs usually do not like water that has already been sitting for a time as well. I like to use a hanging water dispenser so the water is always fresh but it requires a bit of training for the dogs. There are also circulating water bowls which are great for both cats and dogs.

FAQs

Is it okay to feed YOUR dog wet food only?

The truth is it is entirely the choice of dog owners if you want to feed your dog wet, canned food, or dry food. The goal is to choose balanced food according to the dogs age, size, and activity.

How much food should I feed my dog?

If the dog is between 26 and 50 pounds, it can be fed two cups of wet feed. 50 to 75 pounds can be fed between two and two-thirds to three cups of wet feed. Again, this principle may change depending on whether the dog is overweight, underweight, nursing, a puppy, or a senior dog.