🥄 Indian Portion Sizes for Dogs
How much to feed your dog — in katori sizes, almond measures, cashew comparisons, and grams. No kitchen scale required.
The Katori Size Reference Chart
Different katoris in Indian kitchens hold very different amounts. Use this reference to standardise before measuring your dog's food:
≈ 80–110g cooked food
Tea cup / chutney bowl
≈ 150–200g cooked food
Standard rice / dal bowl
≈ 280–360g cooked food
Curry bowl / sabzi bowl
Fill your katori with water and pour it into a measuring cup. Do this once and write the ml on the katori with a marker. Now you have a personal, consistent measuring bowl forever.
Portions by Dog Weight
All portions below are for a moderately active adult dog eating a home-cooked diet of rice + chicken/fish + vegetables. Adjust up (active, outdoor dogs) or down (sedentary, indoor dogs) by 10–15%.
| Dog Size | Weight (kg) | Daily Food (total) | Per Meal (2× daily) | Protein per meal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Small Chihuahua, toy breeds |
1–4 kg | 1 small katori (80–120g) |
½ small katori | 15–20g chicken (2–3 almond pieces) |
| Small Dachshund, Beagle, Indian Spitz |
5–10 kg | 1–1.5 medium katoris (150–240g) |
¾ medium katori | 20–30g chicken (3–4 almond pieces) |
| Medium Indie dog, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel |
11–20 kg | 2–2.5 medium katoris (300–400g) |
1 medium katori | 30–50g chicken (4–6 almond pieces) |
| Large Labrador, German Shepherd |
21–35 kg | 3–4 medium katoris (450–640g) |
1.5–2 medium katoris | 60–80g chicken (7–9 almond pieces) |
| Extra Large Great Dane, Rottweiler |
36–60 kg | 4.5–6 medium katoris (700–950g) |
2–3 medium katoris | 90–120g chicken (10–14 almond pieces) |
Feeding Schedule by Age
| Life Stage | Age | Meals per Day | Portion per Meal | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Puppy | 6–12 weeks | 4 meals | ¼ small katori | Soft food only; rice + small pieces of chicken |
| Puppy | 3–6 months | 3–4 meals | ⅓ medium katori | Growing fast — do not restrict; no salt/spices |
| Older Puppy | 6–12 months | 2–3 meals | ½–¾ medium katori | Transitioning to adult diet; add vegetables |
| Adult | 1–7 years | 2 meals | See weight table above | Morning + evening; consistent timing helps digestion |
| Senior | 7+ years | 2–3 meals | Same or slightly reduced | Softer food; reduce fat; increase fibre; add joint-support foods |
🌰 The Almond Rule for Protein
No kitchen scale? Use an almond as your unit of measure for protein (chicken, fish, paneer):
1 almond = 1 small piece of protein ≈ 4–5g of cooked chicken or fish
| Dog Size | Almond pieces per meal | Gram equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Extra small (1–4 kg) | 3–4 almond-sized pieces | 15–20g |
| Small (5–10 kg) | 4–6 almond-sized pieces | 20–30g |
| Medium (11–20 kg) | 6–10 almond-sized pieces | 30–50g |
| Large (21–35 kg) | 12–16 almond-sized pieces | 60–80g |
| Extra large (36–60 kg) | 18–24 almond-sized pieces | 90–120g |
After boiling chicken, shred or cut it into pieces about the size of an almond (roughly 2–3 cm). Count out the right number based on your dog's size. Protein should make up about 1/3 of the total meal — the rest is rice and vegetables.
🥜 The Cashew Rule for Vegetables
Vegetables should make up 15–20% of your dog's meal. Use cashews as a size guide:
1 cashew = 1 small piece of vegetable ≈ 5–8g
| Dog Size | Cashew pieces per meal | Gram equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Small (5–10 kg) | 5–8 cashew-sized pieces | 25–50g |
| Medium (11–20 kg) | 8–12 cashew-sized pieces | 50–80g |
| Large (21–35 kg) | 15–20 cashew-sized pieces | 90–120g |
Body Condition Scoring — Are You Feeding Right?
The best way to know if your dog is at a healthy weight is a body condition score (BCS). Run your hands along your dog's sides:
Seasonal Feeding Adjustments for India
🌞 Summer (March–June, above 38°C)
- Reduce food portions by 10–15% (less activity = fewer calories needed)
- Increase water to 60–80ml per kg per day
- Feed early morning (7–8 AM) and late evening (7–8 PM) only
- Add hydrating snacks: cucumber, watermelon (no seeds), plain curd (small amount)
- Avoid fatty foods — heat increases pancreatitis risk
🌧️ Monsoon (July–September)
- Keep portions standard — activity usually decreases in rain
- Ensure food is fresh — humidity accelerates spoilage (remove uneaten food after 30 minutes)
- Check water bowl more frequently — humidity can make standing water stale faster
❄️ Winter (November–February)
- Increase food by 5–10% in cold regions (above 1500m altitude or night temps below 10°C)
- Add coconut oil (1 tsp/day) for coat health in dry winter air
- Adjust water placement — cold weather reduces drinking; ensure water is not too cold
Common Feeding Mistakes Indian Pet Parents Make
- ❌ Feeding only rice — rice alone lacks protein; dogs need 18–25% protein in diet
- ❌ Sharing dal/sabzi with tadka — onion and garlic in all cooked Indian dishes is toxic
- ❌ Overfeeding with treats — treats should be less than 10% of daily calories
- ❌ Irregular meal times — consistent timing helps digestion and prevents anxiety
- ❌ Not adjusting for season — summer dogs need less food and more water
- ❌ Giving milk regularly — most adult dogs are lactose intolerant; see our milk guide
- ❌ Leaving food out all day — free feeding causes obesity; feed measured portions at set times
- ❌ Using human salt — even a pinch of salt in dog food can accumulate to dangerous sodium levels
Water Intake Reference
Water is as important as food. Under-watered dogs develop kidney issues and heat stress faster:
| Dog Weight | Minimum Water/Day | Summer Water/Day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 250–300ml (1 small glass) | 350–400ml |
| 10 kg | 500–600ml (2 small glasses) | 700–800ml |
| 15 kg | 750–900ml (1.5 large glasses) | 1–1.2 litres |
| 20 kg | 1–1.2 litres | 1.4–1.6 litres |
| 30 kg | 1.5–1.8 litres | 2–2.4 litres |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I feed my dog per day in katori?
Small dog (5–10 kg): 1–1.5 medium katoris per day. Medium dog (11–20 kg): 2–2.5 medium katoris per day. Large dog (21–35 kg): 3–4 medium katoris per day. Split into 2 meals. One medium katori ≈ 150–200g of cooked food.
How much chicken should I give my dog per meal?
For a medium-sized dog (10–18 kg), give 30–50g of plain boiled chicken per meal — about 6–10 pieces the size of an almond. Chicken should be boneless, unseasoned, and make up about 1/3 of the total meal. The rest should be rice and plain vegetables.
How do I know if I'm feeding my dog too much or too little?
Do the body condition check: run your hands along your dog's ribs. You should feel ribs easily but not see them. Looking from above, your dog should have a visible waist indent. If you can see ribs clearly → underfed. If you can't feel ribs at all → overfed. Adjust portions by 10–15% and recheck in 2 weeks.
How many times a day should I feed my dog?
Puppies (2–4 months): 4 meals. Puppies (4–6 months): 3 meals. Older puppies (6–12 months): 2–3 meals. Adults: 2 meals (morning + evening). Seniors: 2–3 smaller meals. Consistent timing at the same time each day helps with digestion and prevents anxiety.
Should I reduce portions in summer?
Yes — reduce food by 10–15% in peak Indian summer (above 38°C) as dogs are less active. But significantly increase water. A 15kg dog needs 750–900ml of water on cool days and 1–1.2 litres in extreme heat. Feed early morning and late evening only during peak summer.
My dog always seems hungry — am I underfeeding?
Not necessarily. Many dogs will always act hungry regardless of how much they eat — it's an instinct. Do the body condition check (feel for ribs, check waist). If your dog is at a healthy weight, they're not underfed. If you recently changed foods, dogs often seem hungrier when switching to lower-calorie home food from commercial kibble.
Veterinary disclaimer: Portion sizes vary by dog's individual metabolism, activity level, health status, and the specific food being fed. These are guidelines. For puppies, seniors, and dogs with health conditions, consult your veterinarian for a personalised feeding plan.