Breed guide

Whippet: healthy weight & calories

A healthy adult Whippet usually weighs 10 to 18 kg (22 to 39.7 lb). That is a wide range because frame size varies a lot even within one breed, so how they feel under your hands matters more than the number alone.

Daily calories by activity level

Estimated for a Whippet at 14 kg, a healthy weight in the middle of the breed range. Resting energy is 70 × weight0.75 kcal; the multiplier below scales it up for how much they move and whether they are desexed.

ActivityDesexedEntire
Mostly restsa few short potty walks 608 kcal 709 kcal
Short daily walks20 to 30 minutes total 709 kcal 811 kcal
Active most days45 to 60 minutes, some play 811 kcal 912 kcal
Very activeruns, hikes or dog sport 912 kcal 1,013 kcal

Puppies get roughly twice their resting energy while growing, about 1,013 kcal a day at this weight, but puppy needs change every few weeks so this is a starting point, not a fixed number. Seniors typically need about 10% less than an adult at the same activity level.

Good to know for a Whippet

Faintly visible ribs and a deep tuck at the belly are normal for a Whippet, so "very tucked" can be their healthy shape. The goal is to keep that build, not to fill them out.

Why the weight matters

Studies of dogs a similar size to a Whippet found overweight dogs had a shorter median life span than lean ones, by 1.0 to 2.3 years (Salt et al. 2019). That is an association from observational data, not a promise, but it is one of the largest studies of its kind.

Get their exact numbers

This page gives a breed-level estimate. For portions in grams, a calorie target adjusted for your dog's own age, activity and desexed status, and a 7-day activity plan, take the free 60-second check.

Check Whippet free →

How much should a Whippet weigh?

A healthy adult Whippet typically weighs 10 to 18 kg (22 to 39.7 lb). Frame size varies a lot within a breed, so body condition (can you feel the ribs?) matters more than the number on the scale.

How many calories does a Whippet need a day?

A desexed adult Whippet at a healthy weight typically needs roughly 709 kcal a day with short daily walks, more if they are very active or not desexed, less if they mostly rest. Use the calculator below for a number tailored to your dog.

Similar breeds: Cardigan Welsh Corgi, English Cocker Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel

Also see: the dog calorie calculator · is my dog overweight? · all breeds

This is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or exercise. How we work this out