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Bullmastiff feeding guide: how much and how often

Daily calories, portions by age and practical feeding tips for the Bullmastiff.

A 55 kg (121 lb) adult usually needs around 600 to 800 g of a typical dry food a day, roughly 6 to 8 cups, depending on activity and the energy content of the food. Because adults are not very active, overfeeding is common, and extra weight adds strain to hips, elbows and the heart. Aim for a visible waist and ribs you can feel under a thin layer of padding.

Split the daily amount into at least two meals, and three for young dogs. Large, deep-chested breeds carry a higher risk of bloat, so avoid heavy exercise for an hour before and after eating and use a slow feeder if your dog inhales its food. A bowl raised to a comfortable height can make eating easier for a tall, heavy dog, though evidence on raised bowls and bloat is mixed, so talk it through with your vet.

Expect water and saliva on the floor around the dish. A wide, heavy, non-slip bowl on a washable mat saves a lot of mopping.

Bullmastiff feeding in numbers

Illustrative adult portions

DogWeightCaloriesDry food per day
Female, relaxed lifestyle50 kg1830 kcal495 g (5 cups)
Female, typical pet50 kg2090 kcal565 g (5.8 cups)
Male, typical pet55 kg2250 kcal605 g (6 cups)
Male, very active55 kg2810 kcal760 g (7.5 cups)

Puppy portions need measured weight, growth stage and the food’s energy content. A breed-average curve is not a feeding plan. Calculate with measured inputs and review the result with your vet.

Bowl capacity

1800 ml

21.5 cm across

Product height estimate

47 to 53 cm

not a veterinary recommendation

Rough drinking estimate

2.6 to 3.1 L

keep fresh water freely available

Adult examples assume midpoint breed weights, neutered pets and food with 370 kcal per 100 g. Cups assume 100 g per cup; actual food density varies. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Feeding guides for similar-sized breeds