English Setter feeding guide: how much and how often
Daily calories, portions by age and practical feeding tips for the English Setter.
Portions vary more than usual because of the gap between show and field types. A 30 kg adult typically needs around 330 to 430 g of dry food a day, roughly 3.25 to 4.25 cups, depending on activity. Field dogs in the shooting season can need a lot more, while calmer show-type pets often gain weight on standard amounts. Aim for a visible waist from above and ribs you can feel easily under the feathering.
Setters are good eaters without usually being gluttons. As a deep-chested breed, split food into two meals and avoid strenuous exercise for about an hour either side of eating to reduce bloat risk. Long ears trail through the bowl, so a bowl with a narrow top, or a fabric snood at mealtimes, keeps them clean. If your setter retches without bringing anything up or its belly swells after eating, get to a vet at once.
English Setter feeding in numbers
Illustrative adult portions
| Dog | Weight | Calories | Dry food per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female, relaxed lifestyle | 24 kg | 1050 kcal | 285 g (2.8 cups) |
| Female, typical pet | 24 kg | 1200 kcal | 325 g (3.3 cups) |
| Male, typical pet | 33 kg | 1520 kcal | 410 g (4 cups) |
| Male, very active | 33 kg | 1910 kcal | 515 g (5.3 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
46.5 to 52.5 cm
not a veterinary recommendation
Rough drinking estimate
1.4 to 1.7 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.