How much food should I feed my dog?

Start with the feeding guide on your dog food packaging based on your dog's ideal weight, then adjust to maintain a healthy body condition. Most guides overestimate — many dogs need less than the label suggests.

How do I know if my dog is the right weight?

You should feel ribs easily without seeing them prominently, see a waist from above, and notice an abdominal tuck from the side. Use body condition scoring — ask your vet to demonstrate.

Should I feed once or twice a day?

Most adult dogs do well on two meals daily. Single daily feeding suits some dogs but increases bilious vomiting risk in others. Puppies need three to four meals until six months.

How many treats can I give my dog?

Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Reduce main meal portions accordingly. Treats add up quickly — especially with training rewards.

Dog Health

How Much Should I Feed My Dog UK?

Published 19 July 2026Last updated 19 July 20262 min read

Quick answer

Start with the feeding guide on your dog food label based on ideal weight, then adjust using body condition scoring. Most UK dogs are overweight — if you cannot feel ribs easily, reduce portions by 10%. Weigh food on kitchen scales rather than guessing. See our dog calorie calculator for guidance.

Key takeaways

Start with the feeding guide on your dog food packaging based on your dog's ideal weight, then adjust to maintain a healthy body condition. Most guides overestimate — many dogs need less than the label suggests.
You should feel ribs easily without seeing them prominently, see a waist from above, and notice an abdominal tuck from the side. Use body condition scoring — ask your vet to demonstrate.
Most adult dogs do well on two meals daily. Single daily feeding suits some dogs but increases bilious vomiting risk in others. Puppies need three to four meals until six months.

Start with the label — then adjust

Complete dog food packaging includes a feeding guide based on ideal bodyweight, not current weight if your dog is overweight.

Important: Label guides are starting points. Many dogs need 10–20% less than the maximum suggested amount to maintain lean condition.

Weigh food on kitchen scales — cup measures are inaccurate.

Body condition scoring

Assess your dog monthly using body condition score:

Score	What you see and feel
1–3 (underweight)	Ribs, spine, and hip bones prominent
4–5 (ideal)	Ribs felt easily, visible waist, abdominal tuck
6–9 (overweight)	Ribs hard to feel, no waist, fat deposits

If score is above 5, reduce daily intake by 10% and reassess in two weeks. See dog obesity UK.

Feeding by life stage

Stage	Meals	Notes
Puppy (to 6 months)	3–4 daily	Growth formula; follow breed-specific guidance
Junior (6–12 months)	2–3 daily	Transition to adult food per breed size
Adult	2 daily	Maintain ideal body condition
Senior (7+ years)	2 daily	May need fewer calories; senior formulas available
Neutered	2 daily	Reduce calories 10–20% after surgery

Use our dog calorie calculator and puppy weight estimator for additional guidance.

Treats count

Treats, table scraps, and training rewards contribute to daily calories. The 10% rule — treats should not exceed 10% of daily intake — means reducing main meals if you train with food rewards.

When to ask your vet

Consult your vet for a tailored feeding plan if your dog is:

Significantly overweight or underweight
A growing large-breed puppy (growth rate matters)
On a prescription diet for illness
Not maintaining weight despite appropriate portions

Sources & further reading

Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.

PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-07-19).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much food should I feed my dog?: Start with the feeding guide on your dog food packaging based on your dog's ideal weight, then adjust to maintain a healthy body condition. Most guides overestimate — many dogs need less than the label suggests.
How do I know if my dog is the right weight?: You should feel ribs easily without seeing them prominently, see a waist from above, and notice an abdominal tuck from the side. Use body condition scoring — ask your vet to demonstrate.
Should I feed once or twice a day?: Most adult dogs do well on two meals daily. Single daily feeding suits some dogs but increases bilious vomiting risk in others. Puppies need three to four meals until six months.
How many treats can I give my dog?: Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Reduce main meal portions accordingly. Treats add up quickly — especially with training rewards.