Dog Food Calculator
Work out how much to feed your dog. Enter its weight and life stage to get the daily calories from the veterinary RER formula, then the number of cups (and grams) of your food from the calories printed on the bag.
For weight loss or gain, enter the ideal (target) weight.
Printed on the bag as kcal/cup.
For grams per day.
How to use the Dog Food Calculator
- Enter your dog's weight in pounds or kilograms. For weight loss or gain, use the target weight.
- Choose the life stage or activity level that fits your dog best.
- Enter the calories per cup from the food bag, and optionally the calories per kg to get grams.
- Set meals per day and tick the treat allowance if you give treats.
- Press Calculate food to see daily calories, cups per day and per meal, then adjust based on your dog's body condition.
Dog calorie formula
- RER (kcal/day) = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75
- Daily calories (MER) = RER × life-stage factor
- Cups per day = daily calories ÷ kcal per cup
- Grams per day = daily calories ÷ kcal per kg × 1000
Example: a 40 lb neutered dog weighs 40 × 0.4536 = 18.14 kg. RER = 70 × 18.140.75 ≈ 70 × 8.78 ≈ 615 kcal. Daily calories = 615 × 1.6 ≈ 984 kcal. With a food that has 350 kcal per cup, that is about 2.8 cups a day, or 1.4 cups per meal twice a day.
Life-stage factors
| Life stage or activity | Factor × RER |
|---|---|
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 |
| Puppy 4 months to adult | 2.0 |
| Neutered / spayed adult | 1.6 |
| Intact adult | 1.8 |
| Senior or less active adult | 1.4 |
| Inactive / weight-gain prone | 1.2 – 1.4 |
| Weight loss (at ideal weight) | 1.0 |
| Light work / very active | 2.0 |
| Moderate work | 3.0 |
| Heavy work | 4.0 – 8.0 |
| Pregnancy, last 21 days | 3.0 |
| Nursing (lactation) | 4.0 – 8.0, depending on litter size |
These factors are the standard starting points used in veterinary nutrition guides. Every dog is different, so check body condition every few weeks and adjust portions by about 10% at a time. Ask your vet about dogs with medical conditions or special diets.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories does my dog need per day?
Start with the resting energy requirement, RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor: about 1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.8 for an intact adult, 1.0 to 1.2 for weight loss, 2.0 to 3.0 for puppies and 2.0 to 5.0 or more for working dogs. A 20 kg (44 lb) neutered dog needs roughly 1,060 kcal a day.
How many cups of food should I feed my dog?
Divide the daily calories by the calories per cup printed on the food bag. Most dry foods have 300 to 450 kcal per 8 oz cup, so a dog that needs 900 kcal a day eats about 2 to 3 cups, usually split into two meals.
What is RER for dogs?
RER (resting energy requirement) is the energy a dog uses at rest in a comfortable environment. The standard veterinary formula is 70 × kg^0.75. Daily needs, often called MER (maintenance energy requirement), are RER multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity.
How much should I feed my dog to lose weight?
A common starting point is RER at the ideal (target) weight, a factor of 1.0, which leads to safe, gradual loss of about 1 to 2% of body weight per week. Weigh your dog every 2 to 4 weeks and plan weight loss with your vet.
How much should a puppy eat?
Puppies need about 3 times RER until 4 months of age and about 2 times RER from 4 months until they are fully grown, split into 3 to 4 meals for young puppies. Use the current weight and recalculate every couple of weeks as the puppy grows.
Why is the calculated amount different from the bag?
Feeding guides on bags are broad ranges for all dogs of a weight. Individual needs can differ by 20 to 30% because of metabolism, coat, climate and activity. Use the result as a starting point and adjust by watching your dog's body condition: you should be able to feel the ribs easily.