How much to feed a Coton de Tulear: weight and feeding chart
A Coton de Tulear usually weighs 8–15 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 Coton de Tulear eat per day?
An adult Coton de Tulear weighing 8–15 lb eats about ¾–1¼ cups (79–126 g) of dry food a day if spayed or neutered with normal activity – that’s 294–472 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.
Coton de Tulear 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 lb | ⅝ cup69 g | ¾ cup79 g | ⅞ cup88 g |
| 10 lb | ¾ cup81 g | ⅞ cup93 g | 1 cup104 g |
| 13 lb | 1 cup99 g | 1⅛ cups113 g | 1¼ cups127 g |
| 15 lb | 1⅛ cups110 g | 1¼ cups126 g | 1⅜ cups142 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 Coton de Tulear weigh?
- males
- 9–15 lb
- females
- 8–13 lb
The FCI breed standard (No. 283) is stricter: 4 kg to at most 6 kg for males and 3.5 kg to at most 5 kg for females, about 8.8–13.2 and 7.7–11 lb. The AKC’s own breed description says 8 to 13 pounds.
Coton de Tulear puppy weight chart and feeding amounts
A Coton de Tulear grows to about 12 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 | 4.3 lb | ⅞ cup91 g |
| 3 months | 6.1 lb | 1 cup106 g |
| 4 months | 7.4 lb | 1⅛ cups113 g |
| 5 months | 8.4 lb | 1⅛ cups116 g |
| 6 months | 9.2 lb | 1⅛ cups117 g |
| 7 months | 9.9 lb | 1⅛ cups117 g |
| 8 months | 10 lb | 1⅛ cups117 g |
| 9 months | 11 lb | 1⅛ cups116 g |
| 10 months | 11 lb | 1⅛ cups116 g |
| 11 months | 12 lb | 1⅛ cups119 g |
| 12 months | 12 lb | fully grown |
Every puppy grows a little differently. Weigh your puppy every week; if it doesn’t gain steadily, talk to your vet.
Coton de Tulear feeding tips
What the sources say about feeding this breed. For health questions, talk to your vet.
- Daily walks
The Coton is a fairly active dog who requires a moderate amount of exercise, says the AKC: daily walks at a slow speed keep him in good weight and condition, and chasing a tennis ball around the yard keeps mind and body active. The Royal Kennel Club lists up to 30 minutes a day. For most, the “low activity” or “normal” column fits – the scale decides.
- Treats count, table scraps barely
Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, the AKC notes for the Coton too, so watch calories and weight – too many treats can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, says the AKC, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Count everything your dog gets between meals as part of the daily amount.
- Sturdy, never fragile
The AKC standard describes the Coton as a sturdy small dog that should never appear fragile. Too light is no more the goal than too heavy – body shape tells you better than the number whether yours fits.
- Weigh it out
With such small portions, a few grams make a big difference. Weigh each one on a kitchen scale instead of guessing – the Merck Veterinary Manual recommends measured meals for adult dogs anyway.
- Puppies: more meals
Small-breed puppies may need more than three meals a day, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Keep feeding puppy food until your dog is fully grown – for small breeds at about 8–12 months, says Merck.
Questions
How much should a Coton de Tulear eat per day?
An adult Coton de Tulear weighing 8–15 lb eats about ¾–1¼ cups (79–126 g) of dry food a day if spayed or neutered with normal activity – that’s 294–472 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 Coton de Tulear weigh?
According to AKC, adult males weigh 9–15 lb and females 8–13 lb. The FCI breed standard (No. 283) is stricter: 4 kg to at most 6 kg for males and 3.5 kg to at most 5 kg for females, about 8.8–13.2 and 7.7–11 lb. The AKC’s own breed description says 8 to 13 pounds.
How much does a Coton de Tulear weigh at 6 months?
About 9.2 lb on the growth curve in the FEDIAF guidelines, for an adult weight of 12 lb. Every puppy grows a little differently; the weight chart above shows every month from 2 to 12.
How much wet food does a Coton de Tulear need?
A Coton de Tulear weighing 12 lb, spayed or neutered with normal activity, needs about 13.3 oz of wet food with 30 kcal/oz or 1 cup of dry food with 380 kcal/cup a day. That’s about 399 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 – Coton de Tulear Dog Breed Information (Exercise, Nutrition)
- FCI Standard No. 283 – Coton de Tuléar (German version, Size and Weight)
- Royal Kennel Club – Coton de Tulear (Breed characteristics: Exercise)
- AKC – Official Standard of the Coton de Tulear (Size, Proportion, Substance)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Feeding Practices in Small Animals
Last checked: October 2026