How Much to Feed a Dog by Weight: The Daily Chart, and What It Costs Per Day
As a starting point, feed about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of dry food a day for a 10-pound dog, 1 to 1-1/3 cups for a 30-pound dog, 1-3/4 to 2-1/3 cups for a 50-pound dog, and 3 to 4-1/4 cups for a 70–90-pound dog, split across two meals. These are guidelines — the exact amount depends on the food's calorie density (always check the bag), your dog's age, activity and whether it needs to lose weight. Because dry food is bought by the pound, the cost that matters is per day: at the roughly $0.78–$1.57 per pound we track, a medium dog's food runs only about a dollar or two a day.
By OutletPicks Editorial 5 min read· updated 7/15/2026
What pet food costs per lb
Live price terciles across the 42 pet food products we track, by real cost per lb.
| Tier | Cost / lb | Example pick |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $0.87–$1.37 | Diamond Maintenance Cat Dry Food 30/15… ($1.05/lb) |
| Mid-range | $1.37–$1.82 | Purina ONE Dry Dog Food Lamb and Rice… ($1.57/lb) |
| Premium | $1.82–$14.99 | Fancy Feast Purina Filet Mignon Flavor… ($2.71/lb) |
The daily chart (adult dogs, dry food)
How much a dog needs is driven mostly by its adult weight. This is a starting point for typical adult maintenance food, split into two meals a day:
| Dog weight | Dry food per day | |---|---| | 10 lb | ~1/3–1/2 cup | | 20 lb | ~3/4–1 cup | | 30 lb | ~1–1⅓ cups | | 50 lb | ~1¾–2⅓ cups | | 70 lb | ~2½–3 cups | | 90 lb | ~3½–4¼ cups |
These are guidelines, not gospel — the exact amount depends on the food.
Always check the bag first
The feeding chart on your specific bag is based on that food's real calorie density, which a general chart can't know. Use the bag as your starting amount, then adjust to the dog, not the label.
The three things that shift the number
- Calorie density of the food — a rich, calorie-dense kibble needs less volume than a
lower-calorie one for the same energy.
- Age and activity — puppies, working dogs and unspayed adults burn more; seniors and
couch dogs need less.
- Body condition — you should feel the ribs easily but not see them. Overweight?
Feed toward the low end or below. Most bag charts run a little generous.
Split the daily total across two meals (puppies: three to four).
What it actually costs per day
Dry food is bought by the pound, so the number that matters is cost per day. Across the pet food we track, dry food runs about $0.78 to $1.57 per pound. A medium 50-pound dog eating roughly half a pound of dry food a day therefore costs only about a dollar or two a day for food.
The lever is simple: buy by cost per pound. Big bags almost always beat small ones per pound, and store brands with the same core ingredients run well under premium — the same bowl, a lower daily cost.
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Top 5 cheapest per lb right now
Live from the catalog, ranked by real cost per lb — cheapest first.
As of July 22, 2026: the cheapest lb we track is Purina Friskies Dry Cat Food Seafood Sensations… at $0.87/lb. Re-checked daily — the cheapest listings refresh first.
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Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my dog based on weight?
A rough daily starting point for adult dogs on typical dry food, split into two meals: 10 lb → about 1/3–1/2 cup; 20 lb → about 3/4–1 cup; 30 lb → about 1–1-1/3 cups; 50 lb → about 1-3/4–2-1/3 cups; 70 lb → about 2-1/2–3 cups; 90 lb → about 3-1/2–4-1/4 cups. Always check the feeding chart on your specific bag, because calorie density varies between foods and shifts these numbers up or down.
Should I follow the bag's feeding chart or a general guide?
Follow the bag, then adjust to your dog. Feeding charts on the bag are based on that food's actual calorie density, which a general chart can't know. Use the bag as the starting amount, then watch your dog's body condition over a few weeks — you should feel the ribs easily but not see them — and adjust up or down. Most bag charts run a little generous, so many dogs do well slightly under the suggested amount.
How many times a day should a dog eat?
Most adult dogs do best on two meals a day, roughly 8–12 hours apart — it steadies energy and reduces bloat risk in deep-chested breeds compared with one large meal. Puppies need more frequent feeding (three to four times a day when young). Divide the daily amount from the chart across those meals rather than adding food on top.
How much does it cost to feed a dog per day?
Less than most people expect for the food itself. Dry dog food is bought by the pound, and across the pet food we track the price runs from about $0.78 to $1.57 per pound. A medium 50-pound dog eating roughly half a pound of dry food a day therefore costs only about a dollar or two a day — so buying by cost per pound (big bags, not small ones) is the simplest way to cut the bill without changing the diet.