How Much Should I Feed My Dog? (Feeding Guide Included)
How much to feed your dog depends on your dog's ideal weight, age, activity level and the calories in the food you use. As a starting point, most adult dogs need roughly 1,000 to 1,300 calories a day at 50 pounds, which is about 2 to 2.5 cups of a 535-calorie-per-cup food. Use the feeding chart on your bag (or the charts below) as a starting point, then adjust up or down by about 10% based on your dog's body condition.
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This guide includes a dog feeding chart by weight, an American Bully feeding chart, puppy feeding by age and a simple way to tell whether you are feeding too much or too little.
Want an exact number for your dog? Use the Bully Max dog food calculator to get cups per day and how long a bag will last.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog?
How do I know if my dog needs more or less food? Start with the amount on the feeding guide, feed it for two to three weeks, then check your dog's weight and body shape. If your dog is getting soft around the middle, feed a little less. If you can see ribs and hip bones, feed a little more.
Being underfed can lead to nutrient deficiencies, low energy, poor coat and being underweight. Our guide to signs of malnutrition in dogs covers what to watch for.
If you overfeed your dog, they might become overweight or obese, which is linked to many health problems such as:
- Joint, ligament and hip problems
- Diabetes
- Breathing problems and poor heat tolerance, especially in short-nosed breeds
- Skin problems
- A weaker immune response
- Reduced liver function
- Reduced life expectancy
Before we go further, a quick note on fuel: if your dog needs more strength and energy from the bowl, a meat-based, high protein dog food is the simplest place to start.
New to Bully Max? This guide covers how to switch, portion meals by weight and feed for real results:
FUEL YOUR DOG WITH BULLY MAX 30/20 HIGH-PROTEIN FOOD
Fuel strength and energy with meat-based nutrition, 30% protein, 20% fat, and 535 calories per cup.
Save 10% with autoship and get each bag delivered on a schedule.
Factors When Considering How Much Food for Your Dog
When deciding how much to feed your dog, these are the important variables to keep in mind:
- Size of dog. Feed for your dog's ideal weight, not their current weight if they are over or under.
- Age of dog. Puppies need more calories per pound than adults. Seniors often need fewer.
- Activity and energy levels. A dog that trains, pulls or runs every day needs more than a couch dog.
- Spayed or neutered. Fixed dogs often need fewer calories than intact dogs.
- Medical conditions. Some conditions change calorie and nutrient needs.
- Brand of dog food. Calories per cup range widely between foods, so a cup of one food is not a cup of another.
If your dog does have a medical condition, it's best that you work with your vet when determining the right feeding regimen for your dog's situation. But if not, understanding key factors that determine how much food is enough is crucial to giving your dog a long and healthy life.
Dog Feeding Chart by Weight (Calories and Cups)
The most accurate way to work out portions is by calories, because foods differ so much. The chart below uses the standard resting energy formula many veterinarians use (70 x body weight in kg to the 0.75 power), multiplied by 1.4 to 1.8 for a typical adult pet. The low end suits less active or spayed/neutered dogs. The high end suits active or intact adults. These numbers are estimates and starting points, not prescriptions.
| Ideal adult weight | Calories per day (estimate) | Cups per day, 535 kcal/cup food | Cups per day, 400 kcal/cup food |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | 300 to 390 | 0.6 to 0.7 cups | 0.8 to 1.0 cups |
| 20 lb | 510 to 660 | 1.0 to 1.2 cups | 1.3 to 1.6 cups |
| 30 lb | 690 to 890 | 1.3 to 1.7 cups | 1.7 to 2.2 cups |
| 40 lb | 860 to 1,110 | 1.6 to 2.1 cups | 2.2 to 2.8 cups |
| 50 lb | 1,020 to 1,310 | 1.9 to 2.4 cups | 2.5 to 3.3 cups |
| 60 lb | 1,170 to 1,500 | 2.2 to 2.8 cups | 2.9 to 3.8 cups |
| 70 lb | 1,310 to 1,690 | 2.5 to 3.2 cups | 3.3 to 4.2 cups |
| 80 lb | 1,450 to 1,860 | 2.7 to 3.5 cups | 3.6 to 4.7 cups |
| 100 lb | 1,710 to 2,200 | 3.2 to 4.1 cups | 4.3 to 5.5 cups |
| 120 lb | 1,960 to 2,520 | 3.7 to 4.7 cups | 4.9 to 6.3 cups |
Measurements use a standard 8 oz measuring cup. Very active, working and sport dogs can need well above the high end. Always compare with the feeding guide on your food.
Notice the two right-hand columns. A dog eating a 535-calorie-per-cup food needs about a quarter less food by volume than the same dog eating a 400-calorie-per-cup food. That is why you should never swap foods cup for cup. Our dog food calculator does the math for you.
Calories per Cup in Bully Max Formulas
Cups per day depend on calories per cup. A more calorie-dense food means a smaller scoop for the same calories.
| Bully Max formula | Protein | Fat | kcal/cup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/20 High Protein Chicken | 30% | 20% | 535 | Active adults that need muscle and energy |
| 30/20 High Protein Beef | 30% | 20% | 530 | Dogs that need a chicken-free food; all life stages |
| PRO Series 31/25 High Calorie | 31% | 25% | 600 | Hard keepers, underweight, working and sport dogs |
| 25/11 Lamb, 45% less fat | 25% | 11% | 415 | Less active dogs, weight control, Frenchies and small breeds; chicken-free |
| 24/14 High Protein & Growth Puppy | 24% | 14% | 419 | Puppies, including large-breed puppies |
Protein and fat are guaranteed-analysis minimums; calories per 8 oz cup. Figures from each product's label data on shop.bullymax.com.
A Guide for How Much Food to Feed Your Dogs
This feeding chart gives a general idea of how much to feed your dog based on their size. It was made for a specific food, so treat it as a rough guide. Most dog food products come with their own feeding charts, so be sure to check the packaging, because it will be specific to that food's calories.
You can also try the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Body Condition Score for Dogs, a visual guide that can help you determine if your dog is overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight.
You'll generally split your dog's daily food amount in half, for two meals a day. There are some exceptions though. Puppies need 3 or more meals a day, and some dogs with certain medical conditions may have to follow special feeding protocols as well.
In that case, simply divide your daily amount of dog food by the number of meals you plan to serve your dog to get your portion size per meal.
Here at Bully Max, we make a high protein dog food with high-performance, meat-based nutrition. It has 535 calories per cup, which means you can feed your dog a smaller quantity of food and still meet their calorie needs.
Our dog food also includes a feeding guide on the packaging that will help you to determine what portion size is right for your dog:
American Bully Feeding Guide and Chart
American Bullies come in a wide range of sizes, so there is no single American Bully feeding amount. The ABKC classes (Pocket, Standard, Classic and XL) are defined by height, not weight, and weights overlap. Use the calorie chart above with your dog's ideal weight, then use this table as a quick check.
| Dog | Common adult weight | Cups per day of a 535 kcal/cup food (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Pocket American Bully | often about 30 to 60 lb | about 1.3 to 2.8 cups |
| Standard / Classic American Bully | often about 50 to 80 lb | about 1.9 to 3.5 cups |
| XL American Bully | often about 80 to 130+ lb | about 2.7 to 5 cups |
| Pit bull / APBT | often about 30 to 65 lb | about 1.3 to 3 cups |
| English Bulldog | about 40 to 50 lb | about 1.6 to 2.2 cups (use the low end; they gain weight easily) |
| French Bulldog | under 28 lb | about 0.9 to 1.5 cups |
Weights are common ranges, not breed standards. Cups are estimates based on the calorie chart above for a typical adult.
Bullies and pit bulls are muscular, so a healthy one can weigh more than it looks. Go by body condition: you should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of muscle and see a waist from above. Our guides to the best dog food for American Bullies and average pit bull weight and size go deeper on both breeds.
English Bulldog and French Bulldog Portions
English and French Bulldogs are lower-energy dogs that put on weight easily, and extra weight makes breathing harder for flat-faced breeds. Start at the low end of the chart, measure every meal, and count treats as part of the day's food.
How Much Should Dogs Eat Based on Age?
Young dogs will have different dietary needs than older dogs.
To support healthy growth and the healthy development of organs and bones, puppies need to consume more food than adult dogs. Puppies require more protein and fat than an adult dog of the same size and weight, and they also have to consume higher concentrations of particular nutrients and minerals.
Let's discuss how age plays a role in determining how much to feed your dog.
How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?
Meeting your puppy's dietary needs is extremely important. During these formative months you are creating a foundation of health that will make a real difference for years to come.
Puppies nurse on their mother's milk for the first few weeks. Weaning usually starts at around 3 to 4 weeks with small, soft, easy-to-digest meals, and most puppies are fully weaned by about 7 to 8 weeks.
From there, feed 3 or 4 smaller meals per day and work your way down to 2 meals as your puppy matures.
Keep in mind that young puppies often need about twice the calories per pound of an adult dog of the same size. Feed a food made for growth and follow the puppy feeding guide on the packaging, adjusting as your puppy grows.
Puppy Feeding Chart by Age
| Puppy age | Meals per day | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 8 weeks | Nursing, then 4 small soaked meals | Weaning usually starts around 3 to 4 weeks and is finished by about 7 to 8 weeks. |
| 8 to 12 weeks | 4 meals | Rapid growth. Puppies eat roughly twice the calories per pound of an adult dog. |
| 3 to 6 months | 3 meals | Follow the puppy feeding guide by current weight and adjust as your puppy fills out. |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 to 3 meals | Growth slows. Watch body condition so your puppy stays lean, not chubby. |
| 12 to 24 months | 2 meals | Most bully breeds switch to adult food in this window. XL and giant dogs keep growing longest. |
Remember to consider your pup's activity levels as well when determining how much food to give her. Check your puppy's body every week or two. A growing bully puppy should look lean and solid, not round. For help picking a formula, see our guide to the best puppy food. Our guide to choosing the best pit bull puppy food explains what to look for on the label.
For growing bully puppies, a puppy formula with real lamb and 24% protein supports steady growth through the first year.
GIVE YOUR PUPPY BULLY MAX 24/14 PUPPY FOOD
Made for growing puppies with 24% protein, real lamb, and TruMune to support digestion and immune health. Follow the feeding guide on the bag as your puppy grows.
How Much Should I Feed My Adult Dog?
A dog is considered an adult when it has reached about 90% of its expected adult size. The age your dog will reach this size can vary from 8 months old to almost 2 years depending on your dog's breed.
Here's more information on when to make the transition from puppy food to adult dog food.
A standard adult dog's diet is referred to as a maintenance diet. An adult dog's diet no longer needs to fuel rapid and intense growth spurts. Instead, it serves to maintain a healthy weight, muscle and energy.
A calorie-dense food makes portions easier to manage. With 535 calories per cup, a smaller scoop of Bully Max 30/20 still covers an active adult dog's energy needs.
TRY BULLY MAX 30/20 HIGH-PROTEIN DOG FOOD
Fuel strength and energy with meat-based nutrition, 30% protein, 20% fat, and 535 calories per cup.
How Much Should I Feed My Senior Dog?
Many older dogs slow down and need fewer calories, but they still need good protein to hold on to muscle. If your senior dog is gaining weight, trim portions slightly. If they are losing weight or muscle without trying, talk to your vet.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog Based on Activity Level?
If your dog leads a very active lifestyle, you may have to provide more food than the feeding guide on your dog food suggests. Likewise, if your dog doesn't get out much and spends most of her time on the couch, you may feed less than the label suggests.
You can add or subtract about 10% to 30% to your dog's daily food portions as needed based on activity. Make changes of about 10% at a time and give each change two to three weeks before judging it.
Just take care not to overfeed. People tend to overfeed more often than underfeed, and some feeding charts are a bit on the heavy side.
How to Tell if Your Dog Is at a Healthy Weight
There are several ways to determine whether or not your dog is at a healthy weight.
Your dog's ribs shouldn't be visibly poking out, but when you pet your dog's sides you should easily be able to feel the ribcage. Being unable to feel your dog's ribs is an indication that your dog is overweight and would benefit from losing a few pounds.
From the side, your dog's belly should tuck up behind the ribs rather than hang level with the chest. From above, a healthy dog should have an "hourglass shape," with the waist narrower than the ribcage and hips.
See our dog weight chart and ideal weight guide for a step-by-step body check. The WSAVA body condition score chart is a helpful visual guide, and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention lists typical ideal weight ranges by breed.
Feeding an Overweight Dog
Extra weight is very common. In the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2017 survey, about 56% of U.S. dogs were classified as overweight or obese. The good news is that your dog can only eat what you give them, so counting calories works well for dogs.
- Feed for the ideal weight. Work out calories for the weight your dog should be, not the weight they are now.
- Measure every meal. Use a measuring cup or, better, a kitchen scale. Cups vary a lot between foods: a cup of a 535 kcal/cup food has about 30% more calories than a cup of a 415 kcal/cup food.
- Adjust in small steps. Cut the daily amount by a small amount (about 10% or less), then re-weigh after one to two weeks. Slow, steady loss is safer than a crash diet.
- Count every extra. Treats, chews and toppers count toward the daily total.
- Add activity. Daily walks and play help your dog burn calories and keep muscle.
A lighter food makes it easier to give a satisfying bowl with fewer calories. Bully Max 25/11 Lamb has 25% protein, 45% less fat and 415 calories per cup. Ask your vet before starting a weight-loss plan, especially if your dog has a health condition.
Feeding an Underweight Dog
If your dog is underweight, or you just brought home a thin rescue, feed for the weight you want your dog to reach, not the weight they are now. Increase food about 10% at a time, split it into three meals if your dog struggles with big portions, and weigh your dog every week. A calorie-dense food helps, because your dog gets more calories from each bowl. Our guide on how to help your dog gain weight the healthy way walks through a full plan.
If you're concerned that your pup has lost an unhealthy amount of weight, check out our article on the causes and solutions of sudden weight loss in dogs, and see your vet to rule out a medical cause.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog Based on Size?
Here are some general guidelines based on your dog's size and weight. Note that it's important you actually weigh your dog rather than eyeball portion sizes based on appearance. Cup amounts below are for a food with about 535 calories per cup. If your food has fewer calories per cup, you will need more.
(Measurements based on a standard 8 oz. measuring cup.)
Small Dogs (3 – 20 lbs)
We'll define a small dog as any dog that weighs 20 lbs or less. So we're talking breeds like Pomeranians, Pugs, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus and many French Bulldogs.
Small dogs often need roughly ¼ to 1¼ cups per day of a 535 kcal/cup food, depending on weight and activity. Small dogs burn more calories per pound than big dogs, so follow the chart rather than scaling down a large dog's portion.
Medium Dogs (20 – 50 lbs)
Breeds such as Collies, Bull Terriers, Beagles, Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Australian Shepherds and many pit bulls and Pocket Bullies would all be considered medium-sized. Medium-sized dogs will generally weigh more than 20 lbs and less than 50.
Medium dogs often need roughly 1 to 2½ cups per day of a 535 kcal/cup food.
And do remember to weigh your dog. Your dog may be above or below the typical weight for her breed and you might have to adjust her portion sizes to accommodate for this.
Large Dogs (50+ lbs)
Now we're talking dog breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Cane Corsos, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, and Standard and XL American Bullies. All dogs weighing in at 50 lbs or (sometimes a lot) more.
Large dogs weighing 50 to 100 pounds often need roughly 2 to 4 cups per day of a 535 kcal/cup food. Dogs over 100 pounds may need 3½ to 5 cups or more, especially if they are young and active. Giant dogs need fewer calories per pound than small dogs, so increase portions gradually and watch body condition.
Dog Feeding Schedule
The best approach is to get your dog into a routine feeding schedule. This will keep them at a healthy, happy weight.
Young puppies should eat 3 or 4 meals per day. Most dogs older than about 6 months do well on two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.
Some adult dogs do fine on one meal a day, but two smaller meals are easier on the stomach for most large, deep-chested dogs. We strongly advise against free-feeding, or leaving out a dish of food all times of the day.
This is important to avoid because you want to be able to monitor how much food your dog is or isn't eating. You also want to keep the size of their meals consistent. And if you have multiple pets you want to keep an eye on who's eating what.
It's best to get into a routine of feeding your dog at the same time each day. The more consistent you can keep it on a daily basis the better. Check out our dog feeding schedule guide, which also shows how to fix picky eating with timed meals.
In our customers' words
“Better results for her and keeping weight on her”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
“I tried out a month supply to see how my dog would take to it and he loves the food definitely more active and healthy”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
“My dog has been eating this since he was 6 weeks old. He is now 4 years old and is solid, muscle definition in his legs.”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
Common Dog Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
What you feed matters, but so does how you feed it. These are the most common mistakes, and all of them are easy to fix.
Guessing Portions Instead of Measuring
Eyeballing the bowl is the fastest way to over- or underfeed. Weigh your dog, work out the daily amount with the dog food calculator, and measure every meal.
Leaving Food Out All Day
Free-feeding makes it hard to know how much your dog eats and often leads to weight gain or picky eating. Set meal times, pick the bowl up after about 15 to 20 minutes, and offer the next meal at the usual time.
Judging Dog Food by Price per Pound
Compare cost per day, not cost per bag. Foods differ in calorie density, so a calorie-dense food means fewer cups per day and a bag that lasts longer. Think of a bag of chips and a bag of popcorn: the chips weigh more for the same number of servings, so price per ounce makes the popcorn look expensive even when it isn't. For example, Bully Max 30/20 has 535 calories per cup, so you feed fewer cups than with a lighter food.
Storing Food the Wrong Way
Keep kibble in its original bag, which is made to keep food fresh. If you like a bin, put the whole bag inside it. Don't pour the last of an old bag on top of a new one, since that can spread stale food or germs into fresh food. More in how to store dog food.
Forgetting to Count Treats and Toppers
Treats, chews and toppers add up fast. Keep extras under about 10% of your dog's daily calories and reduce meals slightly on heavy-treat training days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cups of food should I feed my dog a day?
It depends on your dog's ideal weight and the calories per cup in your food. As a rough guide, a 50 lb adult needs about 1,000 to 1,300 calories a day, which is about 2 to 2.5 cups of a 535 kcal/cup food or 2.5 to 3.3 cups of a 400 kcal/cup food. Check the feeding guide on your bag.
How much should I feed my American Bully?
Feed for your bully's ideal adult weight. Many Pocket Bullies need about 1.3 to 2.8 cups a day of a 535 kcal/cup food, Standard Bullies about 1.9 to 3.5 cups, and XL Bullies about 2.7 to 5 cups. Adjust by body condition every two to three weeks.
How much should I feed my American Bully puppy?
Feed a growth formula 3 to 4 times a day until about 6 months, then 2 to 3 times a day. Follow the puppy feeding guide on the bag by your puppy's current weight and keep your puppy lean while they grow.
How many times a day should I feed my dog?
Most adult dogs do best on two meals a day. Puppies under 6 months need 3 to 4 meals a day.
What if my dog is always hungry or leaves food in the bowl?
Some dogs beg no matter how much they eat, so go by body condition, not behavior. If your dog leaves food, try timed meals and stop free-feeding. If your dog suddenly stops eating, see your vet.
Make every scoop count
Bully Max 30/20 has 535 calories per cup, so a typical 50 lb adult eats about 2 to 2.5 cups a day instead of a heaping bowl. Measure, adjust by body condition, and let autoship keep the bag full.
TRY BULLY MAX 30/20 HIGH-PROTEIN DOG FOOD
Fuel strength and energy with meat-based nutrition, 30% protein, 20% fat, and 535 calories per cup.
Save 10% with autoship and get each bag delivered on a schedule.
Family-owned since 2009 · Made in USA · Every batch triple tested · Zero recalls · 50,000+ 5-star reviews · Dog Food Advisor 5/5
If Unsure About Your Dog's Portions, See a Vet
It can be a little confusing at first, but stick with it and you'll have your dog on an ideal feeding schedule in no time.
Just remember to weigh your dog, and to always measure out your portion sizes. Factor in age and activity levels when calculating your portion sizes, and keep in mind that every brand of dog food is a little different as far as serving sizes and calories go.
Once portions are dialed in, a daily soft chew is a simple way to add extra support without adding much to the bowl.
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Easy bacon-flavored soft chews with gut, joint, immune, skin, coat, heart, and brain support in one daily chew.
And if you're still unsure about your dog's portion sizes, you should talk to your vet.
They can help to clear up any confusion and aid you in tailoring your meals and portion sizes to meet your dog's specific needs. When you're ready to make portions easier, start with Bully Max 30/20 High Protein, and set it on autoship to save 10% so you never run out.
3 comments
I have a 2 year old bully pit bull mix what’s the best dog food to him for muscle health and immune support
I have a 4 month old English bulldog puppy she weights about 17lbs. I want to put her on bully max puppy food 24% protein/14% fat. What should her servings look like per day?
68 pound old English bulldog. Three years old what is the feeding portions per day?