Food
How much to feed a dog per day: chart for 2–10 kg dogs
Igor, founder of ZoozyJars and maltipoo owner · Updated October 13, 2026 · 5 min read
How much to feed a dog per day depends on its weight, whether it's neutered, and the calories in the food. A 4 kg neutered dog needs about 200 kcal a day, an intact one about 260 kcal. You can only work out grams from the label, because 100 g of wet food and 100 g of dry food hold very different amounts of energy.
Below is a calorie chart, the conversion to grams and the formula to calculate your own dog's portion.
- Formula: 70 × weight (kg)0.75 × 1.0 for a neutered dog or × 1.3 for an intact one.
- 4 kg dog: about 200 kcal neutered, about 260 kcal intact.
- Grams: kcal per day ÷ kcal per 100 g on the label × 100.
- Treats: at most about 10% of daily calories, counted in the portion.
- Weigh your dog every 2–4 weeks and adjust the portion by 10%.
Chart: how many calories a dog needs per day
Small dogs have a faster metabolism. A 3 kg dog burns roughly 30% more energy per kilogram than a 9 kg dog. That's why portions don't scale linearly with weight.
| Dog's weight | kcal / day, neutered | kcal / day, intact |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg (4.4 lb) | ~120 | ~155 |
| 3 kg (6.6 lb) | ~160 | ~205 |
| 4 kg (8.8 lb) | ~200 | ~255 |
| 5 kg (11 lb) | ~235 | ~305 |
| 6 kg (13.2 lb) | ~270 | ~350 |
| 7 kg (15.4 lb) | ~300 | ~390 |
| 8 kg (17.6 lb) | ~335 | ~435 |
| 9 kg (19.8 lb) | ~365 | ~475 |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | ~395 | ~510 |
These values are for a typical pet dog. A very active dog may need more, a senior or overweight dog less.
How much wet food to feed a dog: grams
Wet food usually has 80–130 kcal per 100 g, dry food 340–400 kcal. So find the energy value on the label and calculate:
grams per day = kcal per day ÷ kcal per 100 g × 100
| Dog's weight (neutered) | Wet food, example 100 kcal/100 g | Dry food, example 360 kcal/100 g |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | ~160 g | ~45 g |
| 4 kg | ~200 g | ~55 g |
| 5 kg | ~235 g | ~65 g |
| 7 kg | ~300 g | ~85 g |
| 9 kg | ~365 g | ~100 g |
The calorie values in the chart are examples for the calculation. Your food may differ, so always use the number on its label.
My maltipoo weighs about 4 kg and isn't spayed. She eats roughly one 180 g jar a day plus a few treats, and her weight stays at 4–4.3 kg.
How to check the portion is right
The formula gives you a starting point. Your dog's body gives you the answer:
- you can feel the ribs without pressing,
- from above you can see a waist behind the ribs,
- weight stays the same over the next 2–4 weeks.
A fluffy coat easily fools the eye, so check with your hand. If your dog gains weight, cut the portion by 10%. If it loses weight, add 10% and weigh again in two weeks.
Treats count too
For a dog that needs 200 kcal a day, two "small" chews can take a third of the daily portion. The dog gains weight or stops eating from the bowl because it isn't hungry. Keep treats under 10% of daily calories and subtract them from the bowl portion.
If your dog leaves food, read my dog won't eat. Often it's enough to count everything it eats outside the bowl.
How many meals to split the portion into
An adult dog gets its daily portion in 2 meals, a puppy under 4 months in 4. The chart for every age is in how many times a day to feed a dog.
When to change the portion
- After neutering or spaying: needs drop, the factor goes from 1.3 to 1.0. That's roughly a quarter fewer calories.
- Winter and summer: if your dog moves less, it eats less.
- Senior over 8: usually less exercise and easier weight gain. Weigh more often.
- Pregnancy, illness, recovery: your vet sets the portion.
Frequently asked questions
A 5 kg neutered dog needs about 235 kcal a day. With food that has 100 kcal per 100 g, that's about 235 g a day, split into 2 meals. Check the calories on your food's label.
NRC (2006) Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats; Pet Nutrition Alliance — RER/MER; WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. This article is for education only and does not replace advice from a veterinarian.
About the author
Igor, founder of ZoozyJars and maltipoo owner
I run ZoozyJars and live with a maltipoo myself. I write from my own experience and lean on the sources listed under each article.
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