Mixed breed dog feeding chart: portions by weight and activity

Daily portion guide (adult)

These are the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee’s calorie ranges for an average healthy adult dog in ideal body condition. They are starting points, not a prescription.

WSAVA gives these ranges for guidance only: dogs are individuals, and some need more or fewer calories to stay at an ideal, trim body condition. To turn calories into cups or grams, use the calories per cup or per 100 g printed on your food’s label: daily calories divided by calories per cup gives cups a day. The feeding guide on that label and your vet set the real amount, and your vet adjusts it by body condition: the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines call for a feeding plan tailored to the individual dog. The WSAVA chart stops at 107.8 lb (49 kg). Larger dogs need an individual plan from the vet.

Split into 2 meals (2 to 3 if deep-chested). Energy needs drop after spaying or neutering (AAHA nutrition guidelines), so ask your vet how much to cut back.

Puppy (from 8 weeks until 10 to 18 months, by adult weight)

Meals taper with age: 4 a day until 3 to 4 months old, 3 a day until 6 months, then 2 (Merck Veterinary Manual; Blue Cross). The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that small-breed puppies may have to be fed more often than this, so ask your vet about a very small puppy.

• Under about 33 lb (15 kg) as an adult: small-breed or standard puppy formula. Puppyhood ends at about 10 months for dogs under 20 lb (9 kg) and about 12 months from 20 to 33 lb (9 to 15 kg). Switch to adult food at about 12 months, with your vet’s go-ahead.
• About 33 to 88 lb (15 to 40 kg): standard or large-breed puppy formula: ask your vet which fits the projected adult weight. Merck points to the AAFCO label statement for growth of large-size dogs (32 kg, about 70 lb, or more as an adult). Puppyhood ends at about 12 months up to 66 lb (30 kg) and about 15 months from 66 to 88 lb (30 to 40 kg). Switch to adult food at about 15 months, once your vet confirms growth is finished.
• Over about 88 lb (40 kg): large-breed puppy formula. Puppyhood ends at about 18 months. Switch to adult food at about 18 months, once your vet confirms growth is finished.

The switch follows skeletal maturity, not the calendar of a size label (AAHA’s 2021 nutrition guidelines: a growth diet until skeletal maturity, about 1 year for small and medium-size dogs and closer to 15 to 16 months for some larger breeds). If you do not know your puppy’s projected adult weight, your vet can estimate it.

Senior (from about 8 to 10 years, by adult weight)

Senior age here is the last 25% of expected lifespan (AAHA 2019 Canine Life Stage Guidelines), counted from breed median life expectancies in McMillan et al. 2024 (Scientific Reports) and grouped by adult weight. Older dogs do not automatically need less food or a senior formula: AAHA notes that energy needs may fall with age, but not consistently. Ask your vet to check weight, muscle and calories. Mention any mobility changes.

What makes feeding a mixed breed different

Size-based, not breed-based. Without a breed, the relevant axes are:

• Adult weight projection (ask the breeder, shelter or your vet; a DNA test can also estimate lineage and size).
• Activity level (your direct observation).
• Body shape (deep-chested or not, which affects bloat protocol).
• Coat type (long-coated breeds often need more grooming-related skin/coat support).

Bloat risk if deep-chested. Look at body shape: tall narrow chest = bloat risk applies. Common deep-chested mixes include shepherd-mixes, doodle-mixes (with poodle parent), boxer-mixes. Apply bloat protocol if so.

DNA-test-informed feeding. If you’ve done a DNA test, breed-specific concerns from major contributors apply. Cross-reference with breed-specific feeding pages.

Hybrid vigor isn’t always present. “Mutts are healthier” is only partly true. A mix can inherit a condition from both parents. Hip dysplasia, for example, is inherited (Cornell) and occurs in many breeds.

Common considerations by adult weight

The weight bands follow how dogs grow, so one table covers the three ages that matter:

Adult care starts when the puppy plan ends and yearly adult care begins. Adult food follows skeletal maturity (AAHA’s 2021 nutrition guidelines). Senior is the last 25% of expected lifespan (AAHA 2019 Canine Life Stage Guidelines), counted from the median life expectancy of breeds in each weight band (McMillan et al. 2024, Scientific Reports). These are typical ages for a band, not a date for your dog: your vet confirms each step.

Under 33 lb (15 kg)

• Dental disease, hypoglycemia in puppies, patellar luxation. See small-breed-specific resources (Chihuahua Feeding, Yorkshire Terrier Feeding).

33 to 66 lb (15 to 30 kg)

• Standard adult feeding. Activity-matching matters most.

66 to 88 lb (30 to 40 kg)

• Slow growth in puppyhood (large-breed puppy formula). Bloat risk if deep-chested.

Over 88 lb (40 kg)

• Slow growth critical. Bloat protocol applies. Joint health priority.

Sample daily routine

Adult mixed, 50 lb (23 kg), moderate activity:

• 7am: breakfast (slow feeder if deep-chested)
• 7:30am: 30-min walk
• 5pm: 30-min walk / play
• 6pm: dinner

What to keep track of

• Adult weight (target lean BCS 4 to 5 out of 9).
• Activity level patterns.
• Any observed health concerns (talk to vet about screening based on DNA / phenotype).
• Treats counted.

Related

• Mixed Breed vaccination schedule
• Browse breed-specific feeding for known parent breeds.