How Much to Feed a Dog Based on Weight

Small breed dogs such as toy poodles, Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas typically weigh less than 10 pounds. Because these dogs are so small, they do not require as much food as many other dogs. Dogs weighing less than 10 pounds require only between 1/4 cup and 3/4 cup of dry food per day. Very active toy breed dogs may eat as much as 1 cup of food on a daily basis. If you plan to feed your dog a mixture of wet and dry foods, cut the amount of dry food in half and substitute it with the same volume of wet food.

Miniature poodles, miniature pinschers and other small breed dogs like Scottish terriers and Pekingese usually weigh between 10 pounds and 25 pounds. Dogs of this size require between 3/4 cup and 1 cup of food per day. If you plan to feed your dog twice a day, give him about 1/2 cup of food for each meal. To add wet food to your dog's diet, cut the amount of dry food in half and add an equal volume of wet food.

Medium breed dogs are those breeds which weigh an average of 25 pounds to 50 pounds. Some of the dog breeds belonging to this category include cocker spaniels, beagles, springer spaniels and bulldogs. Medium breed dogs require 1 cup to 2 cups of dry food per day to maintain a healthy weight. You may choose whether to offer your dog one meal a day or to divide the food into two smaller meals. Older dogs may benefit from one meal daily, while puppies and younger dogs may benefit from two smaller meals.

Large breed dogs like collies, Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers usually weigh between 50 pounds and 75 pounds. These dogs may require as much as 2 1/2 cups of dry food per day. To add wet food to your large breed dog's diet, substitute about 1 cup of wet food for half of your dog's daily allotment of food. Dogs like mastiffs, Great Danes and St. Bernards can be considered extra-large, weighing well upwards of 75 pounds. Such dogs require between 2 cups and 4 cups of dry food per day.