Boston Terrier feeding chart: portions by age and weight

Daily portion guide (adult)

These are the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee’s calorie ranges for an average healthy adult dog in ideal body condition. They are starting points, not a prescription.

WSAVA gives these ranges for guidance only: dogs are individuals, and some need more or fewer calories to stay at an ideal, trim body condition. To turn calories into cups or grams, use the calories per cup or per 100 g printed on your food’s label: daily calories divided by calories per cup gives cups a day. The feeding guide on that label and your vet set the real amount, and your vet adjusts it by body condition: the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines call for a feeding plan tailored to the individual dog.

Split into 2 meals. Energy needs drop after spaying or neutering (AAHA nutrition guidelines), so ask your vet how much to cut back.

Puppy (8 weeks to 10 months)

Small-breed puppy formula. Meals taper with age: 4 a day until 3 to 4 months old, 3 a day until 6 months, then 2 (Merck Veterinary Manual; Blue Cross). Switch to adult food at about 12 months, when the skeleton has finished growing, with your vet’s go-ahead (AAHA’s 2021 nutrition guidelines: a growth diet until skeletal maturity, about 1 year for small and medium-size dogs).

Senior (from about 9 years)

Senior age here is the last 25% of expected lifespan (AAHA 2019 Canine Life Stage Guidelines), counted from the breed’s median life expectancy in McMillan et al. 2024 (Scientific Reports). Older dogs do not automatically need less food or a senior formula: AAHA notes that energy needs may fall with age, but not consistently. Ask your vet to check weight, muscle and calories.

What makes feeding a Boston different

Brachycephalic eating. A short snout often means gulping and swallowed air. A slow-feeder bowl helps, and so does quiet time after meals.

Heat / breathing tolerance. Cornell’s canine health center advises a healthy weight and avoiding excessive heat and humidity for brachycephalic dogs. Feed for the activity your dog can really do.

Allergies. Skin / ear / paw signs → vet conversation.

Patellar luxation. More common in small breeds (Cornell). An ideal weight is part of managing it.

Eye health. Bostons are eye-prominent. Diet doesn’t directly affect, but weight management reduces general health stress.

Common breed concerns and feeding

• BOAS / brachy issues: a healthy weight comes first. Obesity aggravates the breathing problems (American College of Veterinary Surgeons).
• Patellar luxation: lean weight + minimize jumping.
• Allergies: skin / ear / paw flare-ups → elimination diet talk.

Sample daily routine

Adult Boston, 18 lb (8 kg):

• 7am: breakfast (slow feeder)
• 7:30am: 20-min easy walk (no heat exertion)
• 5pm: 20-min walk
• 6pm: dinner

What to keep track of

• Breathing changes (snoring, exercise tolerance).
• Weight monthly.
• Skin / ear / paw flares.
• Knee / mobility signs (patellar luxation).

Related

• Boston Terrier vaccination schedule
• French Bulldog feeding
• Bulldog feeding
• Pug feeding