How much and how often should I feed my adult dog?

Short answer: feed two meals a day, about the same times each day, and measure the food instead of guessing. Start with the amount on the food pack, then adjust by watching your dog's shape. If you are unsure what a healthy weight is for your dog, a quick check with your vet is the simplest way to know.

How often to feed

Adult dogs usually do best on two meals a day. Set times give your dog a routine, and it is easy to see when a meal is left. If your dog is not typical, for example eats very little at a time, your vet can help you plan.

Try to feed from a measured portion rather than topping up the bowl all day. If your dog grazes, measure the day's food in the morning and offer it over the day. Fresh water should always be down.

Next step: pick two times that suit your household and keep them.

How much to feed

The food pack gives a daily amount for your dog's weight. That is a good starting point for a healthy dog. Every dog is different, so activity, age and health can change what your dog needs. Split the daily amount between the meals. Two meals means half each, not a full portion twice.

Weigh the food with kitchen scales or a measuring cup. If you are choosing a food, our guide to choosing a dog food walks through it.

Next step: measure today's meals and write the amount on the container.

Treats and extras count too

Treats are part of the daily food. A common guide is that treats should be no more than about a tenth of what your dog eats in a day, so take a little from the meals on training days. Our list of human foods dogs can eat shows what is fine to share. Some foods are not safe, so check which foods are unsafe for dogs first.

Next step: count the treats you gave yesterday and trim the meals to match.

How to check a healthy weight

Shape tells you more than a number on the scale, and your vet will look at both. Do this every few weeks, in a calm moment.

Look. From above you should see a waist behind the ribs. From the side, the belly should tuck up toward the back legs.

Feel. Run your hands along the ribs. In a healthy dog you can feel them easily under a thin layer of padding, without pressing hard. If you have to press to find them, your dog may be carrying extra weight. If the ribs, spine and hips stand out, your dog may be too thin.

Next step: do this check this week, then again in a month, and note what you find.

If your dog is too heavy or too thin

Extra weight makes joint problems, diabetes and heart disease more likely, so it is worth acting early and calmly. Please do not change the food a lot on your own. Your vet can check your dog, rule out health causes, and give you a feeding and exercise plan that fits. It is the same if your dog is losing weight without a reason.

Next step: book a quick weight check with your vet, and bring the food name and how much you feed.

When to call your vet

Call your vet if your dog who usually eats well starts leaving food, stops eating, or loses or gains weight without a clear reason. A change in eating can be the first sign that something needs a look. If your dog also seems stiff or sore, our guide to pain and limping shows what to watch for.

Next step: if the change has gone on for more than a day or two, make a call.

Sources: Dogs Trust, diet and nutrition: dogstrust.org.uk. Merck Veterinary Manual, feeding practices in small animals: merckvetmanual.com. VCA, feeding times and frequency, general feeding guidelines and body condition scores. PDSA, Weigh Up guide: pdsa.org.uk. WSAVA, body condition score chart: wsava.org. RSPCA, dog diet: rspca.org.uk. Blue Cross, staying in shape: bluecross.org.uk.

General education only, not veterinary advice or a plan for your individual dog. If you are worried about your dog's weight or eating, please contact a vet. See our legal page.