How much to feed
My dog eats the recommended amount but is still gaining weight, why?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
The most common explanations are extra calories from treats, table scraps, or food from other household members that are not being counted alongside the measured main meals, or a recommended amount that was calculated for a higher activity level than your dog actually has. Add up everything your dog eats in a full day, not just the main meal, and honestly reassess your dog's real activity level.
Counting the full picture
Treats, training rewards, a taste of your own food, and anything given by other household members all add calories on top of the measured main meal, and these extras are frequently forgotten when someone describes what a dog eats.
Keep a simple written log for a week of absolutely everything your dog eats, including small amounts, to see the true daily total rather than relying on memory.
Reassessing the baseline amount
A chart or calculated recommendation is usually built around an average activity level, and if your dog is genuinely less active than that average, even the recommended amount can be too much.
Compare your dog's actual weekly activity, counting real walk time and off lead exercise, honestly against what an average active dog does, rather than what you intend or hope for.
Ruling out other causes
If treats and activity level genuinely do not explain the gain, and the recommended amount was calculated correctly for an honest activity assessment, mention this to your vet, since a small number of medical conditions can affect weight independent of food intake.
In the meantime, reduce the main meal amount by about 10 percent and remove or significantly cut extras, then monitor over three to four weeks to see whether the combined change actually makes a genuine, measurable difference to the overall weight trend.
Key takeaways
- Treats, table scraps, and extras from other household members often go uncounted and add real calories.
- A recommended amount assumes an average activity level, which may be too generous for a genuinely less active dog.
- Log everything your dog eats for a week to see the true daily total, not just the measured main meal.
- See your vet if extras and activity honestly do not explain continued weight gain.