Dog Food Calculator
This estimates your dog's daily calorie needs using the standard veterinary formula (resting energy requirement × an activity factor). If you enter the calories-per-cup number from your food's label, it also converts that to cups per day.
Calorie formulas are population averages. Your dog's metabolism, body condition and health can put real needs well above or below this number. Use it as a starting point, watch your dog's weight, and confirm feeding amounts with your veterinarian — especially for puppies, weight-loss plans and dogs with medical conditions.
How this is calculated
Resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75. This is the standard formula veterinary references use for the calories a dog burns at rest.
Daily calories = RER × an activity/life-stage factor: about 1.6 for a typical neutered adult, 1.8 intact, 1.0 for weight loss, 2.0 for active or working dogs, 3.0 for puppies under 4 months and 2.0 for puppies 4–12 months. Results are rounded to the nearest 10 kcal because the method doesn't support more precision than that.
Cups per day = daily calories ÷ your food's kcal per cup, from its label.
Common questions
Why does my dog food bag say something different?
Bag feeding charts use the manufacturer's own assumptions and tend to run generous. Both the bag and this calculator are starting points; body condition over a few weeks is the real feedback.
How do I know if the amount is right?
Watch weight and body condition: you should feel ribs easily without seeing them prominently. If your dog gains or loses unintentionally, adjust portions gradually and talk to your vet.
Do treats count?
Yes. A common veterinary suggestion is keeping treats to a modest share of daily calories, since they're usually unbalanced. If you feed a lot of treats, subtract them from the meal budget.
Why no default calories per cup?
Dry foods vary widely in calorie density, so any default would be wrong for most foods. The kcal/cup figure is printed on your bag — that's the number to use.