Start With the Feeding Guide on the Pack

Every complete dog food sold in the UK must carry a feeding guide. This is your starting point. The guide will give a daily amount based on your dog's bodyweight, typically split across two meals for adults.

These are starting guidelines, not exact prescriptions. They are calculated for an average dog of that weight. Your dog may need more or less depending on their individual metabolism, activity level, and life stage.

If your dog has been neutered, reduce the feeding guide amount by approximately 20% as a starting point. Neutered dogs typically have lower energy requirements.

How to Know If You Are Feeding the Right Amount: Body Condition Scoring

Body condition scoring (BCS) is the method vets use to assess whether a dog is underweight, ideal, or overweight. It is more reliable than the scales alone because it accounts for muscle mass and fat distribution.

How to assess your dog at home:

Run your hands along your dog's ribcage. You should be able to feel the ribs easily with light pressure but not see them prominently. If you cannot feel the ribs at all, your dog is likely overweight. If the ribs are clearly visible, they may be underweight.

From above, a dog at a healthy weight should have a visible waist behind the ribs. From the side, there should be an abdominal tuck -- the belly should rise slightly between the chest and hind legs.

UK Pet Food (formerly the PFMA) and PDSA both publish free body condition score charts you can use at home.

Feeding Guide by Life Stage

Puppies

Puppies need significantly more calories per kilogram of bodyweight than adult dogs. Most puppy foods carry age and weight-specific feeding guides. Follow them closely and adjust as your puppy grows. Feed puppy-specific food until your dog reaches adulthood -- 12 months for small breeds, up to 24 months for large and giant breeds. See the full guide: Puppy Feeding Guide

Adult Dogs

Most adult dogs do well on two meals per day -- morning and evening. Splitting the daily allowance reduces bloat risk (particularly important for large, deep-chested breeds) and helps manage hunger.

Free feeding -- leaving food available at all times -- is not recommended. It makes it impossible to monitor intake and contributes to overeating.

Senior Dogs

Dogs aged 7 and over typically need fewer calories but benefit from high-quality protein to maintain muscle mass. Monitor body condition more frequently and adjust portions accordingly. See the full guide: Senior Dog Nutrition

Why 50% of UK Dogs Are Overweight

UK Pet Food reports that vets estimate 50% of UK dogs are currently overweight or obese -- yet only 4% of owners think their dog needs to lose weight. An overweight dog can lose up to 2.5 years of life expectancy, according to research cited by PDSA.

Treats count. If your dog gets regular treats, factor them into their daily calorie allowance and reduce the main meal accordingly.