It depends on the food and your dog’s weight, age and activity. As a guide, a 10 to 20kg adult dog on our Grain Free Chicken and Sweet Potato needs 180 to 300g a day. Start with the feeding guide on the bag, weigh it out, then adjust based on your dog’s shape.
“How much should I feed my dog?” is one of the questions we get asked most. And it matters: a survey of 2,000 UK owners by Bella + Duke found 48% of dogs are overweight, and 15% of owners said they don’t know how much they should be feeding each day. The good news is that getting it right only takes a set of kitchen scales and a few minutes.
Daily feeding amounts for 4Tails dry dog food
Every dry dog food has a different calorie content, so the amount changes from bag to bag. These figures come straight from our product labels. Feed the lower end for a less active or neutered dog and the higher end for a busy or working dog.
Grain Free Chicken & Sweet Potato
| Dog weight | Grams per day |
|---|---|
| 1-2kg | 30-55g |
| 2-3kg | 55-70g |
| 3-5kg | 70-105g |
| 5-10kg | 105-180g |
| 10-20kg | 180-300g |
| 20-30kg | 300-400g |
| 30-40kg | 400-500g |
| 40-50kg | 500-600g |
| 50-60kg | 600-680g |
| 60kg+ | 680g+ |
Wheat & Gluten Free Lamb & Rice
| Dog weight | Grams per day |
|---|---|
| 1-5kg | 30-95g |
| 5-10kg | 95-160g |
| 10-20kg | 160-265g |
| 20-30kg | 265-360g |
| 30-40kg | 360-445g |
Complete Dog Food (Economy)
| Dog weight | Grams per day |
|---|---|
| 1-5kg | 30-95g |
| 5-15kg | 95-220g |
| 15-25kg | 220-320g |
| 25-35kg | 320-410g |
| 35-45kg | 410-495g |
| 45kg+ | 495g+ |
Feeding a different 4Tails food? The feeding guide is on every product page, or browse by range: Grain Free & Puppy, Wheat & Gluten Free and Economy Complete.
Quick calculator: daily amount and how long a bag lasts
For adult dogs. Figures use the feeding guide on each bag and are a starting point only. Use your dog’s ideal weight, not current weight, if they need to lose a little.
Why the right amount varies
- The food itself. A higher meat, higher fat food packs more energy into each gram, so you feed less of it. That is why the tables above differ.
- Activity. A working collie out on the farm all day needs far more than a dog who gets two short walks.
- Age. Puppies need more food for their size than adults, and older dogs often need less as they slow down.
- Neutering. Neutered dogs can gain weight more easily. Ask your vet whether to trim portions.
- Treats and scraps. These count. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, and their main meals should drop to match.
How to check you are feeding the right amount
The bag gives you a starting point. Your dog’s body tells you whether it is right. Check every couple of weeks:
- You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, but not see them sticking out.
- From above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs.
- From the side, the tummy should tuck up slightly towards the back legs.
If your dog is gaining, reduce the daily amount a little and check again in two weeks. If you are working on weight loss, aim for a steady 1 to 2% of body weight a week, and speak to your vet if your dog is very overweight.
Weigh the food, don’t guess
Scoops and cups vary a lot, and small overfeeding adds up over months. Feeding guides are based on the weight of the food in grams, so use kitchen scales to measure the daily amount, then split it into meals. Once you know what the right amount looks like in your dog’s bowl, you can mark a scoop to make it quicker.
How many meals a day?
| Age | Meals per day |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 weeks | 4 |
| 3 to 6 months | 3 |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 |
| Adult | 2 |
For puppies, feed a food made for growth such as our Grain Free Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato, and get in touch if you would like help working out portions as your pup grows.
Keep an opened bag fresh
Once a bag is opened, reseal it or tip it into an airtight container, and keep it somewhere cool and dry away from sunlight. Dry food is best used within about four to six weeks of opening. If the calculator shows a big bag would last your dog much longer than that, a smaller bag is the better buy.
Never run out: dry dog food delivered across Northern Ireland
We’re a family business based in Comber, and our team delivers 4Tails dog food to your door. More about our dog food delivery in Northern Ireland.
- Free delivery to BT1 to BT30 and BT36 to BT39, with no minimum spend. See delivery areas.
- Around 3 working days on average, often sooner. Order before 10am and that day counts as day one.
- Repeat orders. Let us know how much your dog eats and we will set up a repeat delivery so the bag never runs dry.
- Outside our free area? Contact us. Courier delivery can usually be arranged.
- Order your way: online, or by phone, text, WhatsApp, Messenger or email on 07926 731140.
Frequently asked questions
How much dry food should I feed my dog a day?
It depends on the food’s calorie content and your dog’s weight and activity. As a guide, a 10 to 20kg adult dog on 4Tails Grain Free Chicken and Sweet Potato needs 180 to 300g a day. Start with the feeding guide on the bag, weigh it out and adjust based on body shape.
How much should I feed a 10kg dog?
On 4Tails Grain Free Chicken and Sweet Potato, a 10kg dog sits where the 5 to 10kg band (105 to 180g) meets the 10 to 20kg band (from 180g), so about 180g a day is the starting point. On our Complete Dog Food it is 95 to 220g for 5 to 15kg dogs. Adjust based on activity and body shape.
Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?
Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day, morning and evening. Puppies need more frequent meals: four a day at 8 to 12 weeks, three from 3 to 6 months, then two.
Do treats count towards my dog’s daily food?
Yes. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, and you should reduce their main meals by the same amount.
How do I know if I am overfeeding my dog?
If you can no longer feel your dog’s ribs easily, there is no visible waist from above, or their weight keeps creeping up, they are probably getting too much. Reduce portions slightly and recheck in two weeks.
How long does a 12kg bag of dog food last?
It depends on your dog’s size and the food. A 15kg dog eating around 240g a day of our Grain Free Chicken and Sweet Potato would get through a 12kg bag in about 50 days. Use the calculator above to check for your dog.
This guide is general advice for healthy adult dogs. If your dog has a health condition or is pregnant or nursing, speak to your vet. Sources: UK Pet Food, PDSA, Bella + Duke survey via The Star, Whole Dog Journal, 4Tails product feeding guides.
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