🦴 Dog Food Calculator
Enter your dog's weight, life stage and the calories per cup on the food bag to see a daily starting amount.
How the Dog Food Calculator works
Resting energy requirement (RER) is 70 × body weight in kg to the power 0.75. It is multiplied by a life-stage factor (for example 1.6 for a neutered adult). Divide by the food's calories per cup for cups a day. Adjust based on your dog's body condition.
Step-by-step calculation
- 1Enter weight and life stage.
- 2RER = 70 × kg^0.75.
- 3Multiply by the life-stage factor.
- 4Divide by calories per cup.
Worked example
A 20 kg (44 lb) neutered adult dog: RER = 70 × 20^0.75 ≈ 662 kcal; × 1.6 ≈ 1,059 kcal a day — about 3 cups of a 350 kcal/cup food.
Dog Food Calculator examples
| Dog's weight | Daily food |
|---|---|
| 10 | 630 kcal / day |
| 15 | 854 kcal / day |
| 20 | 1,059 kcal / day |
| 25 | 1,252 kcal / day |
| 30 | 1,436 kcal / day |
Other inputs kept at the calculator's default values. Results calculated by this calculator.
Why use a Dog Food Calculator?
Feed the right amount to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
Important factors that can affect your results
- Activity level.
- Treats and table scraps.
- Body condition — adjust every few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Should I follow the bag instead?
The bag is a starting point too. Weigh your dog every few weeks and adjust by about 10% if they gain or lose weight.
Do treats count?
Yes. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories.
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Last reviewed November 2026 · How we build and check our tools · Report a problem