How much to feed
How much should I feed a 60kg dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A 60kg dog, a weight typical of breeds like a great dane or a mastiff, generally needs about 625 to 650g of a standard dry food a day, usually split into two or three meals. Giant breeds are commonly fed multiple smaller meals rather than one large sitting, and many owners at this size find a higher calorie giant breed formula lets them feed a smaller, more manageable volume for the same energy.
The daily amount
Resting energy for a 60kg dog is around 1,509 kcal, and a typical neutered adult at normal activity needs close to 1.6 times that, about 2,415 kcal a day. At 350 to 400 kcal per 100g of a standard dry food, that lands near 625 to 650g, though a higher calorie giant breed formula can bring the volume down while keeping the same energy total.
This is a large volume of food to fit into a stomach at any one time, which is part of why meal splitting is so commonly recommended for dogs this size.
Splitting meals at this weight
Two meals of around 310 to 325g, or three of about 210 to 215g, both work well and are generally easier on a giant breed's digestion than one very large meal.
A consistent feeding schedule with meals at similar times each day is particularly valued for deep chested giant breeds as part of general good feeding practice.
Practical considerations
Budget for a large monthly food cost at this weight, often 18 to 20kg of food a month, and consider buying in bulk if your storage allows it.
Weigh your dog every four to six weeks at a vet clinic if a home scale is not practical, and watch the waist and ribs in between using touch rather than visual checks alone, since a thick coat or loose skin can hide early change.
Key takeaways
- A 60kg giant breed dog typically needs about 625 to 650g of a standard dry food a day.
- Splitting food into two or three meals is common and sensible practice for giant breeds.
- A higher calorie giant breed formula can reduce the volume needed for the same energy.
- Use touch, not just sight, to check body condition on breeds with loose skin or a thick coat.