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Pekingese feeding guide: how much and how often

Daily calories, portions by age and practical feeding tips for the Pekingese.

An adult Peke of about 5 kg (11 lb) usually eats around 70 to 100 g of small-breed dry food a day, roughly three-quarters to one cup, split into two meals. Pekingese gain weight readily and lose it slowly, and extra weight makes both breathing and the back worse. Aim for a dog whose ribs you can feel easily, and check by hand, because the mane hides a lot.

The flat face changes how a Peke eats. Small or flat kibble shapes made for short-muzzled breeds are easier to pick up, and a shallow, wide dish that doesn't press against the nose helps. Some dogs eat more comfortably when the bowl is slightly raised, so they don't have to bury the face. Keep water fresh in a wide bowl, and wipe the facial folds after meals so food doesn't sit in them.

Gulping air while eating is common in short-nosed dogs. Slow the pace with a flat, shallow slow feeder or by hand-feeding part of the ration. Repeated regurgitation, gagging during meals or coughing after drinking should be discussed with your vet.

Pekingese feeding in numbers

Illustrative adult portions

DogWeightCaloriesDry food per day
Female, relaxed lifestyle5 kg300 kcal80 g (0.8 cups)
Female, typical pet5 kg350 kcal95 g (1 cups)
Male, typical pet4 kg320 kcal85 g (0.8 cups)
Male, very active4 kg400 kcal105 g (1 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

900 ml

17 cm across

Product height estimate

10 to 16 cm

not a veterinary recommendation

Rough drinking estimate

0.2 to 0.3 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.

Feeding guides for similar-sized breeds