How much to feed a Chow Chow: feeding chart by weight
A Chow Chow usually weighs 45–70 lb. Here’s how much to feed per day, a feeding chart by weight and activity, and a puppy weight chart.
How much should a Chow Chow eat per day?
An adult Chow Chow weighing 45–70 lb eats about 2⅞–4 cups (287–399 g) of dry food a day if spayed or neutered with normal activity – that’s 1,076–1,498 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.
Chow Chow 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 lb | 2½ cups251 g | 2⅞ cups287 g | 3⅛ cups323 g |
| 55 lb | 2⅞ cups292 g | 3¼ cups333 g | 3¾ cups375 g |
| 60 lb | 3⅛ cups311 g | 3½ cups356 g | 4 cups400 g |
| 70 lb | 3½ cups350 g | 4 cups399 g | 4⅜ cups449 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 a Chow Chow weigh?
- males
- 45–70 lb
- females
- 45–70 lb
The AKC standard itself gives only the average height of 17–20 inches, no weight; the numbers here are from the AKC breed page.
Chow Chow puppy weight chart and feeding amounts
A Chow Chow grows to about 60 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 | 15 lb | 2½ cups250 g |
| 3 months | 25 lb | 3¼ cups326 g |
| 4 months | 32 lb | 3½ cups360 g |
| 5 months | 37 lb | 3¾ cups378 g |
| 6 months | 42 lb | 3⅞ cups387 g |
| 7 months | 45 lb | 3⅞ cups392 g |
| 8 months | 48 lb | 3⅞ cups393 g |
| 9 months | 51 lb | 3⅞ cups392 g |
| 10 months | 54 lb | 3⅞ cups390 g |
| 11 months | 56 lb | 3⅞ cups386 g |
| 12 months | 58 lb | 3⅞ cups391 g |
Every puppy grows a little differently. Weigh your puppy every week; if it doesn’t gain steadily, talk to your vet.
Chow Chow feeding tips
What the sources say about feeding this breed. For health questions, talk to your vet.
- Moderate exercise, not in the heat
The Chow Chow is an active and alert dog with moderate exercise needs, says the AKC: daily walks and moderate play with toys, with minimal rough play or high-impact exercise. The breed does not tolerate high heat or humidity well, so avoid exercise during hot periods of the day. A moderate-paced walk four or more times a day helps keep Chow and owner happy, says the AKC, without saying how long; the Royal Kennel Club lists up to an hour a day. If that sounds like yours, use the “low activity” or “normal” column – the scale decides.
- Sturdy, but never ponderous
The AKC standard describes the Chow as medium in size with strong muscular development and heavy bone, but never so massive as to outweigh its ability to be active, alert and agile; overdone, ponderous dogs are as objectionable as fine-boned ones. Body shape tells you better than the number whether yours is too heavy – with that thick coat, check with your hands: you should be able to feel the ribs.
- Table scraps sparingly, if at all
Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, says the AKC – especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Count whatever your dog gets between meals as part of the daily amount.
- Puppy food: go by the expected adult weight
The Chow Chow sits just under the line: the Merck Veterinary Manual advises a growth diet made specifically for large breeds for puppies that will weigh 32 kg (about 70 lb) or more as adults; small- and medium-breed puppies can also have another growth or all-life-stage diet. The AKC gives 45–70 pounds for the Chow Chow, so up to just under 32 kg (about 70.5 pounds). If your breeder expects your puppy to reach 32 kg or more, follow the advice for large breeds. Either way, keep feeding puppy food until growth is complete.
- 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 a Chow Chow eat per day?
An adult Chow Chow weighing 45–70 lb eats about 2⅞–4 cups (287–399 g) of dry food a day if spayed or neutered with normal activity – that’s 1,076–1,498 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 a Chow Chow weigh?
According to AKC, adult males and females weigh 45–70 lb. The AKC standard itself gives only the average height of 17–20 inches, no weight; the numbers here are from the AKC breed page.
How much does a Chow Chow weigh at 6 months?
About 42 lb on the growth curve in the FEDIAF guidelines, for an adult weight of 60 lb. Every puppy grows a little differently; the weight chart above shows every month from 2 to 12.
How much wet food does a Chow Chow need?
A Chow Chow weighing 60 lb, spayed or neutered with normal activity, needs about 44.5 oz of wet food with 30 kcal/oz or 3½ cups of dry food with 380 kcal/cup a day. That’s about 1,335 kcal. Use the calculator above for your food.
My dog 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 – Chow Chow Dog Breed Information (Nutrition, Exercise)
- FCI Standard No. 205 – Chow Chow (Size)
- AKC – Official Standard of the Chow Chow (General Appearance, Size, Proportions, Substance)
- Royal Kennel Club – Chow Chow (Breed characteristics: Exercise)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Feeding Practices in Small Animals
Last checked: October 2026