How much to feed
How much should I feed a 30kg dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A 30kg dog, a common weight for a labrador, typically needs about 375 to 400g of a standard dry food a day. Labradors and similar breeds are well known among vets for running heavier than ideal, so many do genuinely well being fed slightly under the calculated average rather than at it, provided body condition is checked regularly.
The standard calculation
Resting energy for a 30kg dog is around 897 kcal, and a typical neutered adult at normal activity needs close to 1.6 times that, about 1,435 kcal a day. At 350 to 400 kcal per 100g of dry food, that lands near 375 to 400g.
This is the average figure, but breeds with a known tendency toward weight gain often do better starting 10 percent below it and adjusting upward only if body condition drops too low.
Why some breeds run heavier than others
Research on labradors specifically has linked a common genetic variant to a stronger drive to eat and a slower feeling of fullness, which is one reason this breed shows up so often in weight management conversations at the vet.
This does not mean every labrador will become overweight, but it does mean portion discipline usually needs to be more consistent than for an average breed at the same weight.
Keeping a 30kg dog at a healthy weight
Weigh food for every meal rather than eyeballing it, and resist increasing portions in response to persistent begging, which this breed type is particularly good at.
Check the waist and ribs every two weeks, and if the waist is disappearing, cut the total by 10 percent and hold there for a month before reassessing. Keeping treats to genuinely small pieces, and using a portion of the daily kibble allowance itself for training rewards, helps prevent extra calories from creeping in unnoticed.
Key takeaways
- A 30kg adult dog typically needs about 375 to 400g of dry food a day.
- Breeds like labradors are known for a strong drive to eat and often do better slightly under the average.
- Weigh every meal rather than estimating, especially for breeds prone to weight gain.
- Cut the total by about 10 percent and hold for a month if the waist starts to disappear.