“How much should I feed my Boston Terrier?” is one of the most common questions new owners ask. The honest answer is that it depends on your dog’s age, weight, activity level, whether they are spayed or neutered, and the specific food you use. Still, a good starting point makes a big difference, especially for a breed that can gain weight easily.
This guide gives you a feeding chart by age (how many meals a day) and a calorie chart by weight, then shows you how to turn calories into cups for your own dog food and adjust over time.
Please note: the numbers below are estimates based on a commonly used veterinary calorie formula. Every dog is an individual. Consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan for your Boston, especially for puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions.
How Big Do Boston Terriers Get?
The breed standard divides Boston Terriers into weight classes: under 15 pounds, 15 to under 20 pounds, and 20 to 25 pounds. Most adult Bostons fall somewhere between about 12 and 25 pounds. Your dog’s ideal weight depends on their frame, so ask your vet what a healthy target is for your Boston. Our Boston Terrier first-year growth chart shows what to expect as your puppy grows.
How Many Meals a Day by Age
| Age | Meals per day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 12 weeks | 3 to 4 | Small, frequent meals of a complete puppy food help keep energy and blood sugar steady |
| 3 to 6 months | 3 | Keep using a food labeled complete and balanced for growth |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 to 3 | Many Bostons move to 2 meals in this period |
| 12 months and up | 2 | Switch to an adult food around 12 months, or when your vet advises |
| Seniors | 2 | Your vet may suggest a senior or weight-control food based on health and activity |
Splitting the daily amount into two meals is generally easier on a small dog’s stomach than one big meal, and it can help with begging and hunger between meals.
Daily Calorie Estimates by Weight
Veterinarians often estimate energy needs from the Resting Energy Requirement (RER), calculated as 70 times body weight in kilograms raised to the 0.75 power. That number is then multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity. The table below applies commonly used multipliers. Numbers are rounded, in kilocalories (kcal) per day.
| Current weight | Puppy under 4 months (about 3 x RER) | Puppy 4 to 12 months (about 2 x RER) | Adult, spayed or neutered (about 1.6 x RER) | Adult, less active or weight loss (about 1.0 to 1.4 x RER) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 lb | 265 | 176 | not applicable | not applicable |
| 5 lb | 388 | 259 | not applicable | not applicable |
| 8 lb | 552 | 368 | not applicable | not applicable |
| 10 lb | 653 | 435 | not applicable | not applicable |
| 12 lb | 748 | 499 | 399 | 249 to 349 |
| 15 lb | 885 | 590 | 472 | 295 to 413 |
| 18 lb | not applicable | 676 | 541 | 338 to 473 |
| 20 lb | not applicable | 732 | 585 | 366 to 512 |
| 25 lb | not applicable | 865 | 692 | 433 to 606 |
For puppies, use your puppy’s current weight, and recalculate every couple of weeks as they grow. For weight loss, the calculation is normally based on your dog’s target weight, and should be planned with your vet.
How to Turn Calories Into Cups
Dog foods vary a lot in how many calories they contain, so a “cup” of one food can have very different calories from a cup of another. To work out your dog’s portion:
- Find the calorie content on the bag or can, usually listed as kcal per cup and kcal per kg.
- Divide your dog’s daily calories by the kcal per cup.
- Subtract treat calories (see below).
- Split the result into the number of meals for your dog’s age.
Example: a 20 lb spayed adult Boston with an estimated need of about 585 kcal per day, eating a food with 390 kcal per cup, would start at about 1.5 cups per day, or about three-quarters of a cup per meal. That is a starting point only.
Use a measuring cup or, better yet, a kitchen scale for accuracy. “Eyeballing” portions is a common reason dogs slowly gain weight.
Don’t Forget Treats
Many veterinarians recommend keeping treats to about 10 percent of daily calories. Training treats, dental chews and table scraps all count. Use tiny training treats, break larger ones into pieces, or set aside some of your dog’s regular kibble for training. See our picks for Boston Terrier treats and our list of human foods that are safe for Boston Terriers.
Adjusting With Body Condition
Charts give you a starting point; your dog’s body tells you whether it is right. Check your Boston every two to four weeks:
- Ribs: you should be able to feel them easily under a thin layer of fat, without pressing hard.
- Waist: looking down from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs.
- Tummy tuck: from the side, the belly should slope up from the chest toward the hind legs.
If your Boston is gaining unwanted weight, reduce the daily amount by about 10 percent and recheck in a few weeks. If they are getting too thin, increase slightly. Your vet can score body condition at each visit. Our guides to overweight Boston Terriers and underweight Boston Terriers go into more detail.
Choosing and Changing Food
Look for a food labeled “complete and balanced” for your dog’s life stage, according to AAFCO nutrient profiles (or your country’s equivalent). Puppies should eat food formulated for growth. When you switch foods, change gradually over about a week to avoid stomach upset. Our 7-day food transition guide, puppy diet guide and owner survey on how much to feed a Boston can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cups should I feed my Boston Terrier?
It depends on your dog’s calorie needs and your food’s calories per cup. Use the calorie table above, divide by the kcal per cup on your bag, and adjust based on body condition.
Should I free-feed my Boston Terrier?
Leaving food out all day makes it hard to control portions and often leads to weight gain. Scheduled, measured meals are usually a better fit for Bostons.
When should my Boston Terrier puppy switch to adult food?
Many small-breed puppies switch around 12 months of age. Ask your vet, who can judge based on your puppy’s growth.
Why is my Boston always hungry?
Bostons are often very food-motivated. Constant hunger can be normal behavior, but sudden increases in appetite, thirst or weight changes should be checked by your vet.
Is a raw or homemade diet OK?
Homemade and raw diets can be risky if they are not properly balanced, and raw food carries bacterial risks for pets and people. If you are interested, work with your vet or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Consult your vet: These charts are general estimates. Your veterinarian can recommend the right food and portions for your Boston Terrier.