Nutrition
How much should I feed my dog?
12 October 2026 · 5 min read · Paw & Co vet team
Weight, age and activity all change the answer. Here's the simple maths vets use — and why the bag's chart is only a starting point.
Feeding charts on the back of the bag are averages. Your dog is not an average — a lazy Labrador and a working Indie of the same weight can need very different amounts.
Start with resting energy
Vets use a formula called Resting Energy Requirement: 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75. For a 10 kg dog that's roughly 394 kcal a day just to keep the lights on.
Multiply for lifestyle
Puppies need about 2.5× their resting energy, active adults around 1.6×, couch potatoes and seniors closer to 1.2×. Dogs on a diet are fed at about 1× their target weight's resting energy.
Then check the ribs
Every two weeks, run your hands along your dog's side. You should feel ribs easily without seeing them. Adjust portions by 10% at a time. Our feeding calculator on each food page does the maths for you.
Not sure what to feed?
Our 2-minute quiz builds a plan with exact daily portions.
Keep reading
Gut healthSwitching food without tummy trouble
The 7-day transition plan that keeps poops firm and bowls happy when moving to a new recipe.
4 min read
CatsKeeping indoor cats hydrated in Dhaka summers
Cats evolved to get water from prey, not bowls. Here are five easy ways to sneak more water into their day.
3 min read
Behind the bowlWhat “vet approved” actually means
Every bag claims it. We explain who formulates our recipes, how they're tested and what we will never put in them.
6 min read