How much to feed an Australian Cattle Dog: feeding chart by weight
An Australian Cattle Dog usually weighs 35–50 lb. Here’s how much to feed per day, a feeding chart by weight and activity, and a puppy weight chart.
How much should an Australian Cattle Dog eat per day?
An adult Australian Cattle Dog weighing 35–50 lb eats about 2⅜–3⅛ cups (238–310 g) of dry food a day if spayed or neutered with normal activity – that’s 891–1,164 kcal.
That’s for food with 380 kcal/cup (3,750 kcal/kg), using 1.6 × 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 kcal from the Merck Veterinary Manual. Calculate with your own food right below.
Calculate with your food
How much does your dog weigh?
Decimals help, e.g. 22.5. No pet scale? Weigh yourself, then again holding your pet.
A starting point – the scale has the final say. If your dog is ill, talk to your vet.
Australian Cattle Dog feeding chart by weight and activity
Dry food per day for spayed or neutered dogs, food with 380 kcal/cup (3,750 kcal/kg).
| Weight | Low activity | Normal | Very active |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 lb | 2 cups208 g | 2⅜ cups238 g | 2⅝ cups267 g |
| 40 lb | 2¼ cups230 g | 2⅝ cups263 g | 2⅞ cups295 g |
| 45 lb | 2½ cups251 g | 2⅞ cups287 g | 3⅛ cups323 g |
| 50 lb | 2⅝ cups272 g | 3⅛ cups310 g | 3½ cups349 g |
A starting point – the scale decides: weigh your dog every two weeks and adjust the amount if it gains or loses. Intact dogs need about 12% more. “Low activity” and “very active” are our own simple steps (0.2 lower or higher factor).
How much does an Australian Cattle Dog weigh?
- males
- 35–50 lb
- females
- 35–50 lb
Australian Cattle Dog puppy weight chart and feeding amounts
An Australian Cattle Dog grows to about 45 lb. Here’s what a puppy weighs at each age on the growth curve in the FEDIAF guidelines, and how much dry food with 380 kcal/cup (3,750 kcal/kg) it needs a day by the FEDIAF formula.
| Age | Weight | Dry food per day |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 11 lb | 2 cups201 g |
| 3 months | 19 lb | 2⅝ cups263 g |
| 4 months | 24 lb | 2⅞ cups291 g |
| 5 months | 28 lb | 3 cups305 g |
| 6 months | 31 lb | 3⅛ cups312 g |
| 7 months | 34 lb | 3⅛ cups316 g |
| 8 months | 36 lb | 3⅛ cups316 g |
| 9 months | 38 lb | 3⅛ cups316 g |
| 10 months | 40 lb | 3⅛ cups314 g |
| 11 months | 42 lb | 3⅛ cups311 g |
| 12 months | 44 lb | 3⅛ cups315 g |
Every puppy grows a little differently. Weigh your puppy every week; if it doesn’t gain steadily, talk to your vet.
Australian Cattle Dog feeding tips
What the sources say about feeding this breed. For health questions, talk to your vet.
- Lots of exercise, ideally a job
A very active, high-energy dog, the Australian Cattle Dog needs more than just a quick walk and playtime in the yard, says the AKC – ideally a job: herding on a farm, runs with his owner every day or nearly every day, or dog sports such as obedience or agility. The Royal Kennel Club lists more than two hours a day. If yours gets that, use the “very active” column – the scale decides.
- Food to match the work
Australian Cattle Dogs are very athletic, active dogs, so the AKC advises making sure your dog is getting good nutrition to meet his needs – and checking with your vet if you have any concerns about his weight or diet. If yours works less for a while, use one column less.
- Muscular, not heavy
The AKC standard calls for hard muscular condition and counts any tendency to grossness or weediness as a serious fault – neither heavy nor too slight. Body shape tells you better than the number whether yours fits.
- Measured meals
For adult dogs, the Merck Veterinary Manual recommends measured meals, such as two a day at set times. Most dogs get too heavy when food is left out all day.
Questions
How much should an Australian Cattle Dog eat per day?
An adult Australian Cattle Dog weighing 35–50 lb eats about 2⅜–3⅛ cups (238–310 g) of dry food a day if spayed or neutered with normal activity – that’s 891–1,164 kcal. That’s for food with 380 kcal/cup (3,750 kcal/kg), using 1.6 × 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 kcal from the Merck Veterinary Manual. Use the calculator above for your food.
How much does an Australian Cattle Dog weigh?
According to AKC, adult males and females weigh 35–50 lb.
How much does an Australian Cattle Dog weigh at 6 months?
About 31 lb on the growth curve in the FEDIAF guidelines, for an adult weight of 45 lb. Every puppy grows a little differently; the weight chart above shows every month from 2 to 12.
How much wet food does an Australian Cattle Dog need?
An Australian Cattle Dog weighing 45 lb, spayed or neutered with normal activity, needs about 35.9 oz of wet food with 30 kcal/oz or 2⅞ cups of dry food with 380 kcal/cup a day. That’s about 1,076 kcal. Use the calculator above for your food.
My Blue Heeler weighs more than this. Is that too much?
Not necessarily. The range is for typical dogs; large or muscular dogs can weigh more. Your dog’s shape tells you more than the number: you should feel the ribs and see a waist from above. If in doubt, ask your vet.
Sources
- AKC – Australian Cattle Dog Dog Breed Information (Exercise, Nutrition)
- FCI Standard No. 287 – Australian Cattle Dog (German version, General Appearance)
- Royal Kennel Club – Australian Cattle Dog (Breed characteristics: Exercise)
- AKC – Official Standard of the Australian Cattle Dog (General Appearance)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Feeding Practices in Small Animals
Last checked: October 2026