How Much Should I Feed My Dog? The Real Formula Pet Sitters Use

When I take on a new sitting client the first thing I ask for is the exact feeding amount — in cups, at what time, with which food. About half the time the owner shrugs and says “she just eats when she’s hungry.” That’s where problems start.

The formula pet professionals actually use

Two numbers matter: RER (Resting Energy Requirement) and MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement). RER is calculated as 70 × body-weight-in-kg raised to the 0.75 power. MER is RER multiplied by an activity/life-stage factor.

Puppies eat 2–3× the calories of an adult of the same weight. Adults sit around 1.6× RER. Seniors trend down to 1.4×. Weight-loss goals cut another 20%.

Do the math for me

You don’t need a calculator app for this — use ours: it takes weight, life stage, activity, and goal and returns cups per day + a printable meal plan you can hand to any sitter.

The three biggest feeding mistakes I see

• Eyeballing portions. Studies show owners routinely over-scoop by 20–40%.
• Ignoring the food label. Calorie density ranges from 300 to 500 kcal/cup — huge difference.
• Not adjusting when the dog’s weight or activity changes.

How to switch food safely

Transition over 7–10 days: 25% new / 75% old, then 50/50, then 75/25, then 100%. Skipping this step is the fastest way to turn a happy dog into a GI-upset dog on a Tuesday morning.

Save on food without cutting quality