Dog Food Feeding Guides Explained: Grams, Cups and Calories
PetFoodFix content is educational and does not diagnose or treat illness. If your dog is unwell, has a diagnosed condition, is under 12 months old, is pregnant or lactating, is on a prescription diet or chronic medication, or has vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool, collapse, severe pain, breathing difficulty, refusal to eat for more than 24 hours, marked weight loss, severe itching, or suspected poisoning, contact your vet before changing food.
Feeding guides are starting points
Every complete dog food must include a feeding guide on the packaging. It typically shows recommended daily amounts in grams (UK) or cups (US) based on your dog's body weight.
These tables are useful starting points — but they are estimates, not exact prescriptions. They are calculated for an "average" dog at a given weight, and your dog may need more or less.
How feeding guides are calculated
Manufacturers calculate feeding guides using a formula based on:
- The food's calorie density (kcal per 100g or per kg)
- An estimated daily calorie requirement based on body weight
- An assumed activity level (usually moderate)
- The assumption that this food is the sole diet
The standard formula uses Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER), which varies by body weight. For an average adult dog, MER is roughly:
> MER = 110 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 kcal per day
This is a population-level estimate. Individual dogs can vary by 20–30% in either direction.
Why your dog might need more or less
Factors that increase calorie needs:
- High activity levels (working dogs, daily long runs)
- Cold environments (outdoor dogs in winter)
- Lean body condition (underweight, BCS 3–4 out of 9)
Factors that decrease calorie needs:
- Low activity levels (elderly, apartment-dwelling, low exercise)
- Neutering/spaying (reduces metabolic rate by approximately 20–30%)
- Overweight body condition (BCS 6+ out of 9)
- Warm environments with little outdoor activity
Grams vs cups vs scoops
Grams (UK standard):
Most UK dog food labels use grams per day. This is the most accurate unit because kibble density varies between brands. Weigh the portion with a kitchen scale for best accuracy.
Cups (US standard):
Some imported or US-influenced brands use cups. A "cup" of kibble varies in weight depending on kibble size, shape, and density. One cup of small-kibble food weighs more than one cup of large-kibble food.
Brand-provided scoops:
Some brands include a measuring scoop. Check whether the scoop is calibrated to their specific food — a scoop from one brand is not interchangeable with another.
Best practice: Weigh your dog's food in grams with a kitchen scale. It takes 10 seconds and is far more accurate than estimating with cups or scoops.
Reading the feeding guide table
A typical table looks like this:
| Dog weight | Daily amount |
|---|---|
| 5 kg | 60–80g |
| 10 kg | 100–130g |
| 15 kg | 140–175g |
| 20 kg | 170–215g |
| 30 kg | 230–285g |
Note the range. Most guides give a range (e.g., 100–130g), not a single number. Start in the middle and adjust based on your dog's body condition over 2–4 weeks.
Note the assumptions. The guide assumes:
- This is the only food (no extras, chews, or toppers)
- The dog is a healthy adult at ideal weight
- Activity level is moderate
If you feed extras alongside the main meal, reduce the main portion accordingly.
Calories matter more than grams
Different foods have different calorie densities:
- A high-fat, calorie-dense kibble at 400 kcal/100g requires smaller portions
- A lower-fat, lighter kibble at 320 kcal/100g requires larger portions
Feeding the same number of grams of two different foods can result in very different calorie intake. When switching foods, recalculate the portion — do not assume the same scoop applies.
When to adjust
Monitor your dog's body condition every 2–4 weeks:
- Ribs easily felt with light pressure, visible waist from above: Roughly ideal (BCS 4–5)
- Ribs hard to feel, waist not visible: Consider reducing by 10% and reassessing
- Ribs prominently visible, significant tuck: Consider increasing by 10% and reassessing
- Sudden changes in weight or appetite: Contact your veterinarian
How PetFoodFix helps with portions
A PetFoodFix report includes a personalised daily calorie estimate and gram recommendation based on your dog's weight, body condition, age, and activity level — tailored to the specific food being analysed.
This goes beyond the generic table on the packaging and gives you a more individualised starting point.
Search the database to find your dog's food, or see a sample report to understand the output.Ready? Start your analysis — £14.90, one-off.