If you’ve ever looked down at your little dog’s dinner bowl and wondered, “Is this too much? Or not enough?”—You’re not alone. For owners of small breeds, portion control can feel like a guessing game. When switching to homemade meals, the stakes feel even higher. After all, these dogs have tiny stomachs, fast metabolisms, and specific nutritional needs.

But here’s the good news: with a bit of knowledge and some simple strategies, you can confidently feed your dog meals that are both healthy and appropriately sized. In this guide, we’ll unpack the essentials of portion control for small dog homemade food, why it matters, and how to do it right, without the stress.

Why Portion Control Matters for Small Breeds

A small white dog feeds from a yellow bowl on a yellow mat, set against a wooden wall and modern kitchen backdrop.

Small dogs, like Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, and Miniature Dachshunds, may be petite, but their dietary needs are anything but simple. Even working dogs have their dietary needs. Unlike their larger counterparts, small breeds often have:

  • Higher metabolic rates – they burn energy faster and require nutrient-dense meals.
  • Smaller stomach capacity – which means meals must be well-balanced and carefully measured.
  • Greater sensitivity to overfeeding or underfeeding – even slight excesses can lead to weight gain, while shortfalls may result in nutrient deficiencies.

Real-Life Impact of Improper Portions

Meet Bella, a five-year-old Toy Poodle. Her owner, Jenny, decided to start feeding her home-cooked meals. She used vague estimates—”about a handful of rice, some chicken, and a spoonful of veggies.” Within three months, Bella had gained nearly half a kilo. That might not sound like much—until you realise that’s over 10% of her body weight. Her vet flagged the issue as early-stage obesity, and Jenny had to work backwards to get things on track.

This is where portion control truly matters.

How Much Should Small Dogs Eat?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But the golden rule is this: feed based on weight, activity level, and life stage.

General Guidelines (Per Day):

Dog Weight Calories Needed (Inactive) Calories Needed (Active)

2–3 kg 140–200 kcal 200–280 kcal

4–6 kg 280–350 kcal 350–450 kcal

7–9 kg 400–500 kcal 500–650 kcal

Tip: Use these figures as a starting point, but always monitor your dog’s weight and energy levels for adjustments.

Calculating Homemade Meal Portions

Step 1: Determine Daily Caloric Needs

Start by weighing your dog and using the table above as a base. Let’s say your 5 kg terrier is moderately active and needs around 350 kcal per day.

Step 2: Understand Food Caloric Content

Here’s a basic breakdown of common homemade food items:

  • Cooked chicken breast (100g): ~165 kcal
  • Brown rice (100g cooked): ~110 kcal
  • Carrots (50g cooked): ~20 kcal
  • Olive oil (1 tsp): ~40 kcal

So a meal with 50g chicken, 50g rice, 25g carrots, and a drizzle of oil adds up to approximately 167 kcal. That’s about half your dog’s daily intake—perfect for one of two meals per day.

Step 3: Balance Nutrients

Homemade meals must include:

  • Protein – lean meats like chicken, turkey, or fish
  • Carbohydrates – rice, oats, sweet potatoes
  • Fibre – vegetables like spinach, carrots, or green beans
  • Fats – a healthy oil or fat source
  • Calcium and minerals – via supplements or ground eggshells
  • Vitamins – ideally through a vet-approved multivitamin

Important: Homemade food alone often lacks essential nutrients. Always consult a vet or pet nutritionist before removing commercial dog food entirely.

How to Measure Small Dog Homemade Food Accurately

Use a Digital Scale

Eyeballing portions leads to error. Instead, invest in a digital kitchen scale. Measure by grams, not guesses.

Pre-portion Meals

Meal prep isn’t just for humans. Preparing your dog’s meals for the week in advance:

  • Saves time
  • Ensures consistency
  • Reduces the temptation to “toss in a little extra”

Stick to a Schedule

A brown dachshund sniffs two white food bowls on a colorful rug in a cozy, modern living space. Plants and shelves are in the background.

Feeding at the same time daily helps with digestion and weight maintenance. Most small dogs do best on two meals per day.

Homemade Meal Recipes for Small Breeds

Here are two well-balanced, small breed-friendly recipes. They’re nutrient-rich, easy to digest, and portioned for dogs under 7kg.

Recipe 1: Chicken and Pumpkin Delight

Ingredients (for 1 meal – ~175 kcal):

  • 50g cooked chicken breast, chopped
  • 40g cooked pumpkin (pureed or diced)
  • 30g cooked quinoa
  • 1 tsp fish oil or olive oil
  • Calcium supplement as directed by the vet

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.
  3. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Why it’s good: Pumpkin is gentle on tummies and high in fibre, while chicken provides lean protein.

Recipe 2: Turkey and Sweet Potato Bowl

Ingredients (for 1 meal – ~190 kcal):

  • 60g cooked lean turkey mince
  • 40g mashed sweet potato
  • 20g chopped green beans
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • Dog-safe vitamin mix

Instructions:

  1. Cook turkey thoroughly, and drain excess fat.
  2. Combine with other ingredients and serve warm (not hot).
  3. Store extras in the fridge or freeze individual servings.

Why it’s good: Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and fibre, ideal for maintaining small breed digestive health.

Portion Control Challenges & Solutions

My dog still acts hungry after meals…

Small breeds can be cheeky. They’ve mastered the “feed me” look. But if your dog is maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough nutrients, they’re likely just asking out of habit or boredom.

Try this instead:

  • Offer a chew toy or dental stick post-meal
  • Use puzzle feeders to slow eating and boost mental stimulation
  • Space out meals evenly to reduce hunger spikes

I’m worried my dog isn’t getting enough

Look for signs:

  • Weight loss or gain
  • Low energy
  • Poor coat condition
  • Loose stools or constipation

If in doubt, keep a food diary and consult your vet with exact portion sizes and ingredients.

Take the Guesswork Out of Homemade Feeding

Feeding your small dog homemade meals doesn’t need to feel like rocket science. When you understand their calorie needs, learn how to portion with accuracy, and balance their nutrients, you can take control of their health, right from your kitchen. You can also try this if you have a toy breed.

The truth is, small dogs thrive when given consistent, measured, high-quality food. They don’t need mountains of it—just the right amount, every time.

Feeling inspired? Start with one of the recipes above, measure out your ingredients, and watch your dog’s tail wag with joy. And remember—you’ve got this.

Over to You: Do you make your dog’s meals at home? What portion control tricks have worked for you? Share your tips and questions in the comments—we’d love to hear your story.

Or better yet, subscribe to our weekly pet care updates for more homemade recipes and expert advice tailored to small breed nutrition!