Scottish Deerhound feeding guide: how much and how often
Daily calories, portions by age and practical feeding tips for the Scottish Deerhound.
Growing Deerhounds need a lot of calories, but adults are surprisingly moderate eaters. Adult Deerhounds usually settle at about 400 to 600 g of dry food a day, around 4 to 6 cups, split into at least two meals. Some are finicky, especially young males, and owners often have to work at keeping weight on during adolescence.
The correct weight looks thin to people used to other breeds. You should see the outline of the last few ribs and a hint of the hip bones, with good muscle along the back and thighs. Extra weight is hard on joints and the heart in a dog this tall, so if in doubt, ask your vet to show you what healthy condition looks like on your own dog.
As a deep-chested breed, the Deerhound is at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Keep mealtimes calm, avoid exercise for about an hour before and after eating, and discuss feeder height with your vet: raised bowls are popular with tall breeds for comfort, but one large study linked them with higher bloat risk in large and giant dogs. Retching without producing anything, a swollen abdomen or sudden restlessness needs emergency treatment.
Scottish Deerhound feeding in numbers
Illustrative adult portions
| Dog | Weight | Calories | Dry food per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female, relaxed lifestyle | 39 kg | 1510 kcal | 410 g (4 cups) |
| Female, typical pet | 39 kg | 1730 kcal | 470 g (4.8 cups) |
| Male, typical pet | 45 kg | 1930 kcal | 520 g (5.3 cups) |
| Male, very active | 45 kg | 2410 kcal | 650 g (6.5 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
1800 ml
21.5 cm across
Product height estimate
58 to 64 cm
not a veterinary recommendation
Rough drinking estimate
2.1 to 2.5 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.