How much to feed
How much should I feed a medium sized dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Medium sized dogs, roughly 10 to 25kg, generally need between about 170g and 335g of a typical dry food a day, with the exact figure depending heavily on weight, breed build, and activity level. This size category covers the widest range of body shapes and energy levels of any weight group, so a chart figure here should always be treated as a rough starting point rather than a final answer.
Why this category is so broad
A 10kg beagle and a 25kg border collie are both medium sized dogs by weight, yet their daily needs differ by nearly double, and their activity patterns and body builds are quite different too.
Rather than relying on a single medium dog figure, calculate from the exact current weight, since a difference of even 5kg within this category changes the daily amount meaningfully.
Activity makes a bigger difference here
Within the medium size range, the gap between a low activity dog and a high activity dog's needs is often 25 to 30 percent, larger than the gap tends to be for very small or very large dogs.
Be specific about your dog's actual week when deciding where in the calculated range to sit, counting real walk time and off lead activity rather than an idealized version of the routine.
Adjusting over time
Weigh your dog every two to three weeks for the first couple of months on a new amount, then move to monthly checks once things settle into a stable pattern.
Medium dogs often show weight change at the waist first, so check from above as well as feeling the ribs. A quick photo taken from the same angle each month makes a subtle shift far easier to notice than relying on memory alone, particularly across a breed range this varied.
Key takeaways
- Medium sized dogs, 10 to 25kg, need roughly 170g to 335g of dry food a day depending on exact weight and activity.
- This size category covers a wide range of builds, so calculate for exact weight rather than a general figure.
- Activity level makes a bigger percentage difference here than for very small or very large dogs.
- Check the waist from above regularly, since it often shows change before other signs.