How to Estimate the Right Serving Size for Your Dog

How much should i feed my 5 lb dog??!?!?!? they are chihuahuas and i dont know how much i should feed them a day and how often!! thanks.is one of many questions where our receive.

How to Estimate the Right Serving Size for Your Dog. The verdict is in.  And the results confirm what you’d always thought… Overweight dogs don’t live as long as normal weight dogs.


According to a recent study published in a respected veterinary journal1 overweight dogs suffer from a higher incidence of these life-shortening diseases…

•     Hypothyroidism
•     Oral disease
•     Diabetes
•     Pancreatitis
•     Cancer
•     Arthritis

1. So, how much should you feed your dog to ensure his health?

Well, don’t just blindly follow the directions on a dog food package.  That’s because manufacturers like to “hedge” by suggesting an overly broad “range” of serving sizes.

For example, a bag of kibble might read… “for dogs from 5 to 15 pounds feed 1/2… to… 1-1/2 cups a day”.

Wow.  That’s a monstrously wide range… a 200% variation!  It’s simply not precise enough.

If you follow that advice you’ll be guessing.  You could be significantly overfeeding… or underfeeding your dog.

Misjudging a serving size by even a small amount… and then feeding that same amount day-in and day-out… multiplies the error.  And it could have a devastating effect on your dog’s health.

2. Don’t Guess… Follow These Three Easy Steps

When deciding how much to feed your dog… never guess.  Be scientific.  Always calculate and measure.

Use our Dog Food Calculator and follow these three simple steps…

•     Step 1 – Enter your dog’s ideal weight
•     Step 2 – Select your dog’s life stage and activity level
•     Step 3 – Insert your dog food’s “calories per serving”

Then, use a measuring cup or a scale… and feed the calculated amount.

Of course, keep in mind… results are approximate.  Certain breeds and conditions may require some adjustment.  And please remember… the calculator assumes your dog is at or near his ideal weight.

So, be flexible.  If your dog appears to be overweight… or underweight… substitute something closer to “ideal” for your weight entry.

By the way… the calculator is for adult dogs only.  Puppies require their own special feeding program.

Once again… never guess.  Always measure each serving.  And check your dog’s weight once a month or so.  Over time, you’ll be glad you did.

Learn how to determine your dog’s ideal weight.

Here’s an easy way to weigh your dog. Use our Dog Food Calculator to reveal your pet’s recommended serving size.