Why does the feeding chart on the bag seem like too much food?

Manufacturers often calculate feeding charts to suit an active, working weight range of dogs rather than the average pet, partly because underfeeding complaints are more visible to a brand than a slow, gradual overfeeding trend.

Charts also typically group a range of weights into one row, such as 15 to 20kg, using the figure that suits the upper end of that bracket, which overstates the amount for a dog at the lower end.

If your dog is maintaining a healthy body condition eating noticeably less than the chart suggests, that is fine, since the chart is a starting estimate, not a required minimum.

Body condition, checked by feeling the ribs and waist, is a more reliable guide than any printed number for confirming whether an amount is right for your specific dog.

If your dog is losing weight, seems low on energy, or you are unsure whether a lower amount is actually appropriate, check with your vet before settling well below the chart long term.

A dog that is genuinely very active, works regularly, or is not yet neutered may need an amount closer to or even above the chart figure, so this is not a rule that applies to every dog equally, and it is worth checking whether any of these factors apply before assuming the chart is simply generous.