Dog Food Calculator
Find how much to feed your dog per day.
Neutered adult ~1.6, active ~2.0
Check the bag; often 300-450
Results update as you type.
How it works
Feeding the right amount keeps a dog at a healthy weight, and this calculator estimates daily food based on veterinary energy formulas. You enter your dog's weight, an activity factor, and the calories per cup of its food, and it returns the daily calorie need and the number of cups to feed. The calculation starts with the resting energy requirement (RER), 70 times the dog's weight in kilograms to the 0.75 power, which is the energy a dog needs at rest. Multiplying by an activity factor gives the maintenance energy requirement (MER) — the total daily calories — with typical factors around 1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.8 for intact, up to 2.0 or more for active or working dogs, and lower (around 1.0 to 1.4) for weight loss or seniors. Dividing the calories by the food's calorie density (listed on the bag as kcal per cup) gives the daily cups. This is a starting estimate; individual dogs vary with metabolism, breed, and health, so monitor your dog's body condition and weight and adjust, and split the daily amount into two meals. Puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, and those with medical conditions have different needs — consult your veterinarian. Always check your specific food's calorie content, as it varies widely. Enter your dog's weight, activity, and food calories to estimate the portion.
RER = 70 × (kg^0.75); daily calories = RER × activity factor; cups = calories ÷ kcal per cup
A dog's resting energy requirement (RER) is 70 times its weight in kilograms raised to the 0.75 power. Multiplying by an activity factor gives the daily calorie need (MER), and dividing by the calories per cup of food gives how many cups to feed each day.
Source:Veterinary energy requirements (RER/MER)
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter dog's weight.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust activity factor and calories per cup of food if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Daily calories updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my dog?
Estimate your dog's daily calories from its weight and activity level, then divide by the calories per cup of its food. A 44-pound neutered adult needs roughly 1,050 calories a day, about 3 cups of a 350-calorie-per-cup food. Monitor your dog's weight and body condition and adjust, and split it into two meals.
What is RER and MER?
RER, the resting energy requirement, is the calories a dog needs at rest, calculated as 70 times its weight in kilograms to the 0.75 power. MER, the maintenance energy requirement, is RER multiplied by an activity factor to account for daily activity. MER is the total daily calorie estimate used to determine how much to feed.
What activity factor should I use?
Common factors are about 1.6 for a neutered adult dog, 1.8 for an intact adult, and 2.0 or higher for very active or working dogs. For weight loss use around 1.0, and for seniors or inactive dogs about 1.2 to 1.4. Choose the factor that matches your dog's lifestyle, and adjust based on how its weight responds.
Why do I need the calories per cup?
Dog foods vary widely in calorie density, from around 300 to over 450 calories per cup, so the same calorie need translates to very different amounts of different foods. Using the calories-per-cup figure printed on your specific food's bag ensures the cup measurement is accurate. Without it, you could significantly over- or underfeed.
Should puppies use this calculator?
No, puppies have much higher energy needs for growth and use different multipliers that change with age, so this adult-maintenance calculator underestimates their needs. Pregnant and nursing dogs also need more. For puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, or dogs with medical conditions, follow feeding guidelines for their stage or consult your veterinarian for a proper amount.