🥣 Why Are Dog Food Feeding Guidelines So Different? Understanding the 6–7 Cup Confusion

If you've ever flipped over a dog food bag and checked the feeding guide, you’ve probably asked yourself:

“Why does it say my dog needs 4 to 6 cups a day?!”

Some brands recommend modest amounts, while others suggest what feels like mountains of kibble. So what’s going on here? Let’s break it down and look at what really matters when determining how much to feed your dog.

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📏 Feeding Guidelines Are Just That—Guidelines

Most brands include a general chart based on weight, like:

Weight of Dog Cups Per Day

10–25 lbs ¾ – 1½ cups

50–75 lbs 3 – 4 cups

100+ lbs 4 – 6+ cups

Seems helpful—but this doesn’t take into account individual factors like:

Age

Activity level

Metabolism

Neutered vs. intact status

Muscle mass

Food type (raw vs. kibble vs. wet)

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🔍 Why Do Some Foods Require So Many Cups?

1. Calorie Density

Low-quality kibbles (like many grocery brands) often have:

More fillers (corn, rice, by-products)

Less bioavailable protein

Lower calorie-per-cup ratios

👉 That means your dog needs more volume to meet their basic energy needs.

In contrast, a premium food—especially raw or gently cooked—might deliver the same calories in half the volume.

2. AAFCO Guidelines for General Maintenance

Some brands meet only the minimum requirements for adult dogs, which might cause them to overcompensate in feeding amounts to cover nutritional gaps.

3. Marketing to Make the Bag Seem Affordable

If a bag costs $40 but “lasts longer” due to a smaller feeding volume, it looks better on paper. But when you need to feed 6 cups a day, suddenly that bag disappears fast—and so does your budget.

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⚖️ KOHA vs. Grocery Brand Example

KOHA (limited ingredient, high-quality):

2–3 cups/day for a 50–75 lb dog

Higher digestibility and bioavailability

Real meat, minimal fillers

Pedigree (lower-cost kibble):

3–4 cups/day for the same size dog

Packed with rice, corn, peas

Less nutritional value per bite

That’s why the cups are so different—not all calories (or ingredients) are equal.

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🧠 Feeding by Body Condition, Not Just Weight

A 70 lb couch potato and a 70 lb working dog don’t have the same needs. Use your dog’s Body Condition Score (BCS) as a guide:

You should be able to feel—but not see—ribs

There should be a waist tuck when viewed from the side

An hourglass shape when viewed from above

If your dog is gaining weight on the recommended amount—cut back. If they’re losing weight or seem hungry—feed more.

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⏳ Transitioning & Trial Periods

When switching to a new food, follow a 30–90 day feeding trial:

First 30 days: Watch stool quality, energy, and skin health

By 90 days: You’ll have a clearer picture of how well your dog is metabolizing the food

Don’t just follow the bag. Let your dog’s body tell you how the food is working.

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🐾 Final Thoughts

Feeding guidelines on the bag are a starting point—not a rule. Focus on:

Calorie content per cup

Ingredient quality

Your individual dog’s needs

The 6+ cup recommendations aren’t inherently bad—but they often signal a food that’s lower in density, digestibility, and quality. If you're feeding massive volumes with minimal results (like dull coat, itchy skin, or loose stool), it might be time to upgrade.