Dry Food Feeding Guide for Dogs

Taking care of your dog requires steady grooming, loving affection and proper feeding. Many pet owners choose to feed their dogs dry foods, as opposed to homemade or canned foods. Too much dry dog food will cause laziness and weakness from extra weight. Not feeding your dog enough will lessen your pet's strength to play and run. Feeding specific amounts is equally important for metabolism and glucose levels, as they are both necessary for health and happiness.

  1. Small breeds

    • Smaller breeds that only reach about 10 pounds, like the chihuahua and the yorkie, need to be fed at least 1/3 cup of dry food, and no more than 1 cup once a day. The slightly larger breed, like the Scottish terrier at a standard 20 to 25 pounds, will recieve at least 1 cup of dry food, and no more than 2 1/4 cups. The next size breed, 25 to 50 pounds, is the last small dog group, containing the beagle and the spaniel. This group will get 2 1/4 cups of food, never giving more than 3 3/4 cups a day. You can halve the amount to feed your dog twice a day if you wish.

    Large breeds

    • For larger dogs, like the retriever and labrador, feed anywhere from 3 3/4 to 5 cups of dry dog food once a day. You can feed twice a day if you desire, just halve the amount so you do not overfeed your dog. These dogs are typically 50 to 75 pounds in weight and are the most common family and water loving breeds. The next size, including the great dane, malamute and mastiff, are standard at over 75 pounds and are the tallest and heftiest dogs known. They will usually eat 5 to 8 cups of dry dog food each day; spacing thier feedings will help control their desire to chew on other inedible items. Two, 4 cup feedings, or three 2 to 2 1/2 cup feedings are appropriate.