Daily amount based on calorie needs and food energy content.
Daily food amount depends on your dog's calorie needs and the calorie density of the food. Most kibble is 300-450 kcal/cup — check your bag's label. Feed puppies 3-4 times daily, adults 2 times. Measure food with a standard 8-oz measuring cup. Feeding guidelines on bags are starting points and often overestimate needs. Monitor body condition: if ribs are hard to feel, reduce by 10%. If ribs are visible, increase. Avoid free-feeding (leaving food out all day) — it leads to overeating. Fresh water should always be available. Treats, table scraps, and training rewards all count toward daily calories.