Nutrition
There is no single percentage or scoop that suits every dog. A useful fresh-food portion starts with the dog’s current weight, then adjusts for age, body condition, activity and the real-world extras around the bowl.
Build my dog’s planCurrent weight is the obvious first input because a 5 kg dog and a 35 kg dog cannot sensibly start from the same daily amount. But weight alone does not tell you whether either dog is lean, overweight, growing or unusually active.
Use an accurate recent weight rather than guessing from an old vet record.
Two dogs can weigh the same and need different feeding goals. A body condition check looks at shape and fat cover, helping distinguish a dog that should maintain from one that may need to gain or lose.
If you are unsure how to assess body condition, ask your vet or veterinary nurse to show you.
A growing puppy, stable adult and older dog can have very different nutritional and energy needs. Life stage therefore belongs in the calculation rather than being treated as a footnote.
Update the profile as the dog moves through those stages instead of leaving the original puppy or adult assumption in place forever.
Choose an activity level that reflects the dog’s typical week, not their single biggest walk of the month. Working dogs, canine athletes and unusually active pets may need a more individual discussion.
If activity changes for a sustained period, review the portion and watch the weight trend.
The calculator can recommend the main meals, but it cannot magically know about every biscuit, chew and table scrap unless the household accounts for them. Extras are often the reason a sensible starting portion appears too high in practice.
Keep treats proportionate and reassess them before making large cuts to complete meals.
No responsible calculator should pretend one output is perfect forever. Feed consistently, monitor body condition and weight, then make measured adjustments when the dog gives you evidence that the starting point needs to change.
Bark & Bowl turns the daily amount into packs and delivery frequency so the practical subscription follows the same calculation.
The daily amount calculated when you build a plan isn't meant to be permanent. Neutering typically slows metabolism, recovery from illness or surgery often calls for a temporary reduction in activity-linked calories, and a seasonal shift — more walks in summer, less in winter — can genuinely change what a dog needs.
Update your dog's profile when any of these change, rather than waiting for a visible weight shift to prompt a recalculation.
Questions answered
Here are the answers customers usually need before building their dog’s fresh plan.
No. Percentage rules can be rough starting points, but age, body condition, activity and the specific food all matter.
Monitor weight, body condition, appetite and general wellbeing after feeding consistently. Adjust deliberately rather than reacting to one meal.
Yes. Frequent treats, chews and leftovers can materially change the total amount a dog eats in a day.
