How much to feed a senior dog? Calories and grams by weight
A 30 kg (66 lb) senior dog that still walks every day but no longer runs needs about 1,218 kcal a day, 338 g of a 3,600 kcal/kg food: the same inactive-adult line as any neutered adult, because age by itself is not in the equation, activity and body condition are. Small dogs count as senior from about 7, large and giant breeds from 5 or 6 (AVMA). The tables give calories, grams and grams per meal by weight.
When is a dog a senior?
Size decides. The AVMA counts small dogs as senior at about 7 and large or giant breeds at 5 or 6; the dog age chart by size shows why, with a 7-year-old small dog at 44 human years and a giant at 56. Being a senior changes the checks (weigh monthly, look at teeth and body condition) more than the food.
Calories a day for senior dogs
Start from the inactive column, the NRC 2006 line for neutered or quiet adults that most older dogs fit. The active column is for the rare senior that still works or runs an hour a day. The last column is the weight-loss line, the resting requirement of the ideal weight (AAHA 2021), for a senior that has got heavy: use the weight it should be, not the weight it is.
| Dog weight | Inactive (senior default) | Active | Weight loss (at ideal weight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 318 | 435 | 234 |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | 534 | 731 | 394 |
| 15 kg (33 lb) | 724 | 991 | 534 |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | 898 | 1,229 | 662 |
| 25 kg (55 lb) | 1,062 | 1,453 | 783 |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | 1,218 | 1,666 | 897 |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | 1,511 | 2,068 | 1,113 |
Grams of dry food a day
On the inactive line, for three common calorie densities. Foods sold for seniors range from about 3,300 to 3,800 kcal/kg, so read the bag and pick the nearest column; every 200 kcal/kg moves the portion by about 5%.
| Dog weight | 3,400 kcal/kg | 3,600 kcal/kg | 3,800 kcal/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 93 | 88 | 84 |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | 157 | 148 | 141 |
| 15 kg (33 lb) | 213 | 201 | 191 |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | 264 | 250 | 236 |
| 25 kg (55 lb) | 312 | 295 | 280 |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | 358 | 338 | 320 |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | 444 | 420 | 398 |
Grams per meal
The same daily amount on a 3,600 kcal/kg food, split into two or three meals. Three smaller meals are easier on an old stomach and make it simpler to hide tablets.
| Dog weight | Grams a day | Per meal (2 meals) | Per meal (3 meals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 88 | 44 | 29 |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | 148 | 74 | 49 |
| 15 kg (33 lb) | 201 | 101 | 67 |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | 250 | 125 | 83 |
| 25 kg (55 lb) | 295 | 148 | 98 |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | 338 | 169 | 113 |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | 420 | 210 | 140 |
What changes with age, and what does not
The calorie equation does not change; the dog does. Older dogs lose muscle, so the protein in the food matters more than the calories: cutting food to control weight in a dog that is losing muscle makes it worse. Worn teeth make kibble hard work, which is a reason to soak it or move part of the diet to cans: see how much wet food to feed a dog. Kidney, heart or liver disease each come with their own diet from the vet, and unplanned weight loss in an old dog is a reason to book one. The dog food calculator gives the grams for your own food and either line.
Frequently asked questions
- When is a dog considered a senior?
- The AVMA puts cats and small dogs at about 7 and large or giant breeds at 5 or 6, because big dogs age faster. In human terms a 7-year-old small dog is 44 and a 7-year-old giant 56 on the AKC size chart.
- Do senior dogs need fewer calories?
- Usually a little, because they move less, which the inactive line already reflects: it is 27% below the active line (95 against 130 x kg^0.75). Do not cut by age alone. An old dog losing weight or muscle needs the same or more food, of better protein, and a vet visit.
- How much should a 10-year-old Labrador eat?
- At 30 kg and walking daily, about 1,218 kcal: 338 g of a 3,600 kcal/kg food a day in two meals of 169 g. If the vet says 27 kg is the right weight, feed the weight-loss line for 27 kg, 829 kcal, until it gets there.
- Is senior dog food necessary?
- No rule says so: AAFCO has no nutrient profile for seniors, so a senior or 7+ food is an adult maintenance food with the maker's own choices, some lower in calories, some higher in protein or with joint supplements. Choose by the dog's condition and read the kcal per kg; the tables work for any of them.
- How many meals a day for an older dog?
- Two is the default; three smaller meals suit dogs whose appetite fades, who take medicine with food, or who bring up bile on an empty stomach. The last table gives the grams per meal either way.
More guides
- How many cups of dog food per day?
Cups of kibble a day by dog weight from the calories on your bag: tables for 300 to 450 kcal per cup, inactive and active adults, and meals.
- How much should I feed my dog? Grams and cups by weight
Daily calories and grams of dry food for dogs from 2 to 50 kg, inactive and active, on foods from 3,400 to 4,000 kcal/kg, with the WSAVA chart range.
- How many calories does a dog need per day?
Calories a day by weight and life stage from the NRC 2006 equations behind the WSAVA charts: adults 2 to 60 kg, puppies by adult size, weight loss.
- Puppy feeding chart: calories and cups by adult weight
Calories and cups a day for puppies at a quarter, half and three quarters of adult weight, for adult sizes 5 to 40 kg, with meals per day by age.
Sources
- NRC 2006, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats — adult, puppy and kitten energy equations
- WSAVA, Calorie Needs for Healthy Adult Dogs (July 2020) — chart range for dogs
- WSAVA, Calorie Needs for Healthy Adult Cats (July 2020) — chart range for cats
- AAHA 2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines — weight loss at the resting requirement of the target weight
Published 2026-09-17, last updated 2026-09-17. Figures are starting points from the published equations: individual animals vary by up to 30%, so adjust by body condition and ask your vet for puppies under 8 weeks, pregnancy, lactation or any illness.