How much to feed
How much should I feed a 3kg dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A 3kg dog, roughly the size of a small chihuahua or toy poodle, usually needs about 60 to 70g of a typical dry food a day. Because their kibble pieces are small and calorie dense, it helps to weigh the portion rather than count pieces. Feed in three meals if you can, since toy breeds burn through their energy stores quickly and can go off their food if meals are too spread out.
Working out the number
Using the standard resting energy formula, a 3kg dog needs around 160 kcal at rest, and a typical spayed or neutered pet dog needs about 1.6 times that for normal daily activity, landing near 255 kcal. At 350 to 400 kcal per 100g of food, that comes out to roughly 60 to 70g a day.
Weigh this out rather than estimating by eye. A small handful of kibble can weigh anywhere from 10 to 25g depending on the brand, so guessing tends to run high.
Choosing a food that suits the size
Look for a kibble described as small breed or toy breed sized, since standard sized pieces can be hard for a very small jaw to manage and often get left in the bowl.
If you feed wet food instead, a 3kg dog typically eats about 150 to 200g a day of a standard 70 to 90 kcal per 100g wet food, which is roughly two thirds of a small 400g tin.
Signs the amount needs adjusting
A 3kg dog that finishes every meal instantly and still seems to hunt for more food between meals may need a slightly larger portion, particularly if it is very active.
If your dog leaves food regularly or you cannot feel the waist tuck in behind the ribs, reduce the total gradually over a week or two rather than skipping a meal.
Key takeaways
- A 3kg dog generally needs about 60 to 70g of dry food a day, or roughly 150 to 200g of wet food.
- Weigh portions rather than counting kibble pieces, since piece size varies a lot between brands.
- Three meals a day tends to suit toy breeds better than two.
- Adjust gradually over one to two weeks based on how the waist looks and feels.