About the Whippet
Gentle, sprint-loving sighthounds built for speed. A typical adult Whippet weighs around 10–16 kg (Medium).
How many calories does a Whippet need?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 70 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1.728 for a typical dog at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure. The Whippet carries a breed metabolic adjustment of ×1.08, already applied below.
| Body weight | Daily calories | Dry kibble ~3,500 kcal/kg | Wet ~1,050 kcal/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | 680 kcal | 194 g | 648 g |
| 10.857 kg | 723 kcal | 207 g | 689 g |
| 11.714 kg | 766 kcal | 219 g | 729 g |
| 12.571 kg | 808 kcal | 231 g | 769 g |
| 13.429 kg | 849 kcal | 242 g | 808 g |
| 14.286 kg | 889 kcal | 254 g | 847 g |
| 15.143 kg | 929 kcal | 265 g | 884 g |
| 16 kg | 968 kcal | 276 g | 922 g |
Feeding a Whippet for a healthy weight
Whippets are naturally very lean — visible ribs and hip bones are normal for the breed, not a sign of underfeeding. Feeding them to look 'filled out' actually makes them overweight.
What to feed a Whippet
Dogs are facultative carnivores: they thrive on meat-forward diets but can use carbohydrate and plant matter. A complete-and-balanced food (dry, wet, fresh, or properly-formulated raw) meeting AAFCO or FEDIAF standards should make up the vast majority of intake, with treats capped at 10% of daily calories.
Most adult dogs do best on two meals a day. Puppies under four months need three to four smaller meals; large-breed puppies should be fed a large-breed-specific formula to slow bone growth and protect their joints.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Whippet look so thin?
Sighthounds like Whippets are naturally lean, with a visible waist, tuck-up and often the last couple of ribs showing — that's ideal body condition for the breed. Feeding to a typical dog's shape would make a Whippet overweight.
How much should I feed a Whippet?
A 13 kg Whippet needs roughly 700-850 kcal a day, adjusted up for lure coursing or racing. Feed to maintain their naturally athletic, lean silhouette.
How much should I feed my dog per day?
A 10 kg neutered adult dog at a healthy weight needs roughly 500-560 kcal per day — about 150-165 g of standard dry kibble split over two meals. Scale up or down with weight, activity and life stage using the calculator above.
Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?
Twice a day suits most adult dogs and helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. Puppies need three or more meals; some giant breeds prone to bloat also do better with smaller, more frequent meals.