Working out how much to feed your dog is one of the most common questions we get from Aussie pet parents, and it's also one of the most important.
Feed too little and your dog struggles with energy and condition, or feed too much and you're heading toward joint disease, diabetes and a shorter, lower-quality life. The good news: with a feeding chart, a quick body-condition check, and a few minutes a week, you can get this right at home.
This guide gives you a daily feeding chart by weight, a vet calorie formula, plus tailored advice for puppies, adults and seniors — all in metric units relevant to Australia. If you're still choosing a food, start with our vet-curated dog food range.
Key Takeaway
Most healthy adult dogs in Australia need roughly 15–25 grams of dry food per kilogram of body weight per day, split across two meals.
A 10 kg adult dog typically eats around 180–230 g of dry food daily, but the exact amount depends on the food's calorie density, your dog's life stage, activity level, breed and body condition. Always start with the feeding guide on your dog's food bag, then fine-tune based on your dog's weight and body shape.
Daily Feeding Chart for Adult Dogs (Dry Food)
This chart is a starting point based on a typical premium Australian adult dry dog food (~360–400 kcal per 100 g). Always cross-check with the feeding guide printed on your specific bag, as calorie density varies between brands and recipes.
Divide the daily total across the number of meals you feed (usually two). A 20 kg moderately active Kelpie eating 330 g a day gets ~165 g morning and ~165 g evening.
How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?
Meal frequency matters as much as portion size, as it affects digestion, blood sugar, energy levels and behaviour.
Two meals (morning and evening, roughly 10–12 hours apart) works for the vast majority of adult dogs in Australia.
Wet vs Dry Dog Food: Finding the Right Balance
If you want to go beyond the chart (helpful for weight loss, weight gain or very active dogs), use the calorie method vets use.
Step 1. Resting Energy Requirement (RER): RER (kcal/day) = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75
Step 2. Multiply by a life-stage / activity factor:
An example for a desexed 15 kg Border Collie:
RER = 70 × 15^0.75 = 70 × 7.62 ≈ 534 kcal/day at rest
Daily need = 534 × 1.6 ≈ 854 kcal/day
If their dry food contains 380 kcal per 100 g, that's about 225 g per day, or ~110 g per meal.
I recommend purchasing a kitchen scale, as they're one of the highest-impact purchases you can make for your dog's long-term health.
Puppy Feeding Chart By Age & Expected Adult Weight
Puppies need more calories per kilogram than adults because they're building bone, muscle and immunity simultaneously. The right amount depends on their expected adult weight, not their current weight.
A few important notes for Aussie puppy parents:
Small breeds (Toy Poodle, Maltese, Chihuahua) finish growing by 8–10 months, so switch to adult food earlier.
Large and giant breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Rottweiler) stay on a large breed puppy formula until 12–24 months. These diets have lower calcium and energy density to slow growth and protect developing joints. Once they transition out of puppy food, move them onto a large-breed adult dog diet formulated for their joint and frame needs.
Weigh your puppy weekly. If growth stalls or they're getting podgy, adjust portions by 10% and reweigh in a week.
We've also created a handy downloadable puppy feeding schedule to help you build your routine and keep track of your puppy's nutritional needs as they grow.
Feeding Senior Dogs (7+ Years)
Older dogs typically need 10–20% fewer calories than they did as young adults, because muscle mass and activity decline. But that's not universal — some seniors lose weight and need more.
Look for a senior dog food that's:
Slightly lower in calories
Higher in high-quality protein (counter to old myths — seniors need more protein, not less, to preserve muscle)
Supplemented with omega-3s, glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
Lower in sodium and phosphorus if there's any kidney concern
If your senior dog is fussy or losing condition, splitting the daily total into three smaller meals and adding a topper of wet dog food can dramatically improve intake.
For more on choosing a quality, highly digestible food with real meat, good ingredient bioavailability and the right nutritional profile for your dog's life stage, see our vet's guide to the best dog food brands in Australia.
How to Combine Wet and Dry Dog Food in Your Routine
Both wet and dry food can sit at the centre of a complete diet. Many Aussie dogs do best on a combination.
Combining wet and dry using a quick conversion: Roughly 100 g of wet food = 25–30 g of dry food in calories. So if your dog normally eats 300 g of dry food a day, you could swap one meal of 150 g dry for about 500–600 g of wet food, then keep the other 150 g dry meal as normal.
A practical, vet-friendly routine for an adult dog: dry food in the morning for convenience and dental benefit; wet food in the evening for hydration, palatability and variety.
Adding Dog Treats into the Mix
Treats, chews, training rewards and table scraps all count toward your dog's daily calories. As a rule, treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
For example, a 10 kg dog needing 600 kcal a day can have ~60 kcal in treats. That's about:
2–3 small dental chews, or
4–5 small training treats, or
A few slices of carrot / cucumber (essentially free calories)
When you feed treats, mentally subtract their grams from the next meal, especially during training-heavy weeks.
How to Use Body Condition Score to Assess Your Dog's Weight
Forget the bathroom scale for a moment. The most reliable check is Body Condition Score (BCS) — a 1–9 visual and hands-on assessment used by vets globally.
Aim for a BCS of 4–5/9:
Ribs: you should be able to feel them easily with light pressure, like running your hand over the back of your knuckles. You shouldn't see ribs in most breeds, but you also shouldn't need to push through a layer of fat.
Waist (top-down view): there should be a visible "hourglass" tuck behind the ribcage.
Abdomen (side view): the belly should tuck up toward the hind legs, not hang parallel to the ground.
Do this check once a month. If the ribs disappear under fat or the waist vanishes, drop daily food by 10% and recheck in two weeks. If ribs become prominent or there's a sharp tuck, increase by 10%.
Check out our vet-approved blog to determine whether your dog is overweight (it also has a handy dog body condition score chart you can download and keep with you).
The charts above are a starting point. Adjust up or down based on:
Desexing: desexed dogs need ~20–30% fewer calories. This is the single most common reason for weight gain in young adult dogs in Australia.
Activity level: a Border Collie on a sheep farm and a Cavalier on a couch have wildly different needs even at the same body weight.
Climate: dogs in cooler Tasmanian winters may burn slightly more energy; dogs in tropical Queensland summers often eat less in the heat — that's normal.
Breed: sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets) are naturally lean; the breed standard ribs-visible look is healthy for them, not for a Labrador.
Life stage: pregnancy, lactation, and rapid growth all multiply needs.
Health conditions: hypothyroidism, Cushing's, diabetes, kidney disease and arthritis all change calorie needs. Always work with your vet on a therapeutic diet.
Food quality: a premium nutrient-dense food fills nutritional gaps with less volume than a low-cost, fibre-heavy food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed my dog once a day?
While some adult dogs can manage on one meal a day, most do better with two meals. Feeding twice daily helps support digestion, maintain energy levels, and reduce the risk of hunger-related behaviours such as scavenging or begging.
Should I leave food out all day?
Free feeding isn’t ideal for most dogs, as it can lead to overeating and makes it harder to monitor appetite. Scheduled meals are generally a more reliable and healthier approach.
How do I know if I’m feeding the right amount?
Focus on your dog’s body condition rather than just weight. You should be able to feel their ribs easily without excess fat, and they should have a visible waist when viewed from above. Adjust portions gradually as needed.
Is it okay to mix wet and dry food?
Yes, combining wet and dry food can be beneficial. It adds variety, can improve palatability, and helps support hydration while still offering the convenience of dry food.
What if my dog is always hungry?
Persistent hunger can be due to habit, boredom, or an underlying medical issue. Try using slow feeders or enrichment toys, and ensure portions are appropriate. If the behaviour continues, consult your veterinarian.
Do treats count towards daily feeding?
Yes, treats should be included in your dog’s total daily calorie intake. As a general guide, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories to maintain a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog properly is essential for their long-term health and wellbeing. The right routine goes beyond choosing a quality food—it’s about feeding the correct portions, staying consistent, and adjusting to your dog’s changing needs over time.
By understanding your dog’s life stage, activity level, and body condition, you can support healthy weight, digestion, and overall quality of life. If you’re unsure about your dog’s feeding needs, speak with your veterinarian for tailored advice.
This article was written by Dr. Jack Ayerbe
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not replace personalised veterinary advice. Every pet is different, and diagnosis and treatment should always be tailored to the individual. If your pet is showing signs of illness or ongoing discomfort, please consult your veterinarian for advice specific to your pet’s needs.
References
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines – Evidence-based nutritional recommendations for dogs and cats.
- VCA Animal Hospitals – General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs. Available at https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-general-feeding-guidelines-for-dogs
- Hill’s Pet Nutrition – Dog Feeding Tips. Available at https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/nutrition-feeding
