Dog Food Calculator
Calculate how much food to feed your dog daily based on weight, age, and activity level.
Get recommendations in cups and grams.
Resting Energy Requirement (RER):
RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75
The RER represents the calories a dog needs at complete rest — just to maintain basic body functions like breathing, circulation, and cell repair.
Daily Energy Requirement (DER):
DER = RER × Activity Factor
The activity factor accounts for the dog’s life stage, activity level, and whether they are spayed/neutered. A more active dog burns more calories and needs a higher factor.
| Life Stage | Factor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 4 months) | 3.0 | Rapid growth phase |
| Puppy (4-12 months) | 2.0 | Still growing, high energy |
| Adult (neutered) | 1.6 | Most common adult factor |
| Adult (intact) | 1.8 | Slightly higher metabolism |
| Active/working dog | 2.0-5.0 | Depends on workload |
| Senior dog | 1.2-1.4 | Slower metabolism |
| Weight loss | 1.0 | Reduced to RER only |
Practical Example: A neutered adult Labrador weighing 30 kg (66 lbs): RER = 70 x 30^0.75 = 70 x 12.82 = 897 kcal/day DER = 897 x 1.6 = 1,435 kcal/day At 375 kcal per cup of food: 1,435 / 375 = 3.8 cups per day, split into 2 meals.
Converting calories to food: Most dry dog food contains 300-450 calories per cup. Check the “kcal/cup” value on your food’s packaging. This number varies significantly between brands and formulas, so always use the actual value from your specific food.
Tips:
- Puppies should eat 3-4 smaller meals per day. Adults do best on 2 meals per day.
- These are starting estimates. Adjust based on your dog’s body condition — you should be able to feel their ribs but not see them prominently.
- Treats count toward daily calories. A good rule is treats should be no more than 10% of total daily intake.
- Always consult your veterinarian for personalized feeding advice, especially for dogs with health conditions.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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