Most dog owners either overfeed or underfeed without realising it. Overfeeding is far more common — the dog always seems hungry, the portion on the bag looks small, and it is easy to add a little extra. Over months, that extra builds into excess weight that shortens the dog's life and leads to joint, heart, and metabolic problems.

Getting the amount right is not complicated, but it does require paying attention to more than the feeding chart on the back of the bag.

The Feeding Chart Is a Starting Point, Not a Fixed Answer

Every commercial dog food comes with a feeding guide on the packaging. These guides are based on the dog's weight and give a daily amount. They are a reasonable starting point and nothing more.

The problem is that two dogs of the same weight can have completely different caloric needs depending on age, breed, activity level, whether they are neutered, and individual metabolism. A 20kg Border Collie that runs for two hours a day needs significantly more food than a 20kg Bulldog that sleeps most of the day.

Use the packaging guide to start, then adjust based on your dog's body condition over two to four weeks.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is the Right Weight

The body condition score is the most reliable way to assess whether your dog is eating the right amount. You should be able to:

• Feel the ribs easily when you run your fingers along the side of the chest — they should feel like the back of your hand, not buried under fat
• See a visible waist when looking at the dog from above
• See the abdomen tuck upward slightly when viewed from the side

If you cannot feel the ribs without pressing firmly, the dog is overweight. If the ribs are visibly prominent, the dog is underweight. Adjust the daily portion by 10% in either direction and reassess after two weeks.

This is more reliable than any chart because it reflects the actual condition of your specific dog.

Dog Feeding by Life Stage

Puppies Need More Than Adults, Fed More Often

Puppies grow rapidly and need more calories per kilogram of body weight than adult dogs. They also cannot hold large meals comfortably — their stomachs are small relative to their energy needs.

Feed puppies three to four times per day until around six months of age. From six to twelve months, two meals per day is typical for most breeds. Large and giant breeds take longer to mature and may need puppy feeding schedules maintained until 12 to 18 months.

Use a food formulated specifically for puppies or for all life stages. Adult maintenance food does not provide the calcium and phosphorus ratios that growing bones and joints require.

Adult Dogs: Two Meals Per Day Works Best

Most adult dogs do well on two meals per day — morning and evening. One large daily meal increases the risk of bloat in large breeds and tends to cause dogs to be excessively hungry by mealtime, which encourages fast eating.

Splitting the daily ration into two equal meals keeps energy levels more stable and digestion more comfortable.

Senior Dogs Need Fewer Calories but More Attention

Older dogs are less active and their metabolism slows, which means the same portion that maintained their weight at three years may cause weight gain at eight. Senior dogs also have higher rates of kidney and joint issues, which can be managed partly through diet.

Switch to a senior-formulated food at around seven years for most breeds. Large breeds age faster and may benefit from the switch at five to six years. Discuss this with your vet if you are unsure.

Dry Food, Wet Food, and Raw: Does the Amount Change?

Yes. Different food formats have different caloric densities.

If you are feeding a mix of dog wet food and dog dry food, calculate the contribution of each format to the total daily calorie target. Many owners feed a base of dry kibble and top with wet food as a palatability enhancer — without reducing the kibble portion accordingly, this adds significant unplanned calories.

Treats Count as Calories

Treats are calories. They should account for no more than 10% of the dog's daily caloric intake. A medium dog eating 1,000 kcal per day should not receive more than 100 kcal in treats — that is roughly four to six small commercial treats depending on the brand.

Training sessions that use treats heavily can easily push a dog into caloric surplus if the main meal is not adjusted accordingly. On heavy training days, reduce the main meal slightly.

Feeding in UAE Summer: Adjust for Reduced Activity

UAE dogs in summer typically exercise significantly less than in cooler months. If your dog goes from 45-minute daily walks to 10-minute early morning outings from June through September, their caloric needs drop accordingly.

Reduce the daily portion by 10 to 15% during low-activity summer months and reassess body condition monthly. Many UAE dog owners notice gradual weight gain over summer without connecting it to the activity reduction.

Signs You Are Feeding the Wrong Amount

Overfeeding:

• Ribs difficult to feel without firm pressure
• Visible fat deposits over the hips and spine
• Dog seems sluggish or unwilling to exercise
• Weight gain over successive vet visits

Underfeeding:

• Ribs and hip bones visibly prominent
• Dog finishes meals extremely fast and seems unsatisfied
• Low energy or coat condition deteriorating
• Weight loss between vet visits

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I feed a 10kg adult dog per day?

Typically 150 to 250g of dry kibble per day, split into two meals. Check the specific feeding guide on your food brand and adjust based on your dog's body condition over two to four weeks.

Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?

Twice a day is better for most dogs. It reduces hunger between meals, lowers bloat risk in large breeds, and keeps energy levels more consistent throughout the day.

My dog always seems hungry. Does that mean I am underfeeding?

Not necessarily. Many dogs will eat beyond their caloric needs if given the opportunity. Assess body condition rather than appetite. If the dog is maintaining a healthy weight and good body condition, the portion is likely correct.

How do I adjust feeding for a dog that has been neutered?

Neutered dogs typically have lower caloric needs than intact dogs of the same weight. Reduce the daily portion by around 10 to 20% after neutering and monitor body condition over the following four to six weeks.