Stop guessing portions. Get your dog's exact daily calorie target using the same Resting Energy Requirement formula veterinarians use, adjusted for life stage, activity, body condition, and neuter status.
Enter your dog's information. Everything is processed in your browser — nothing is sent or stored.
Fill in your dog's details on the left and tap Calculate. We'll output daily calories, portion sizes, and per-meal recommendations.
ℹ Reassess every 2–4 weeks based on body condition. Consult your veterinarian for medical conditions.
Every output is grounded in peer-reviewed veterinary energetics — the same equations used in vet schools.
Calculated as 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75. This is the baseline energy needed at rest, validated by indirect calorimetry across thousands of dogs.
Adjusts RER for activity, life stage, neuter status, and body condition. Ranges from 1.0 (sedentary senior) to 8.0 (lactating mother).
Daily kcal target is divided by your food's calorie density (kcal/cup) and multiplied by 95g per typical cup of kibble for accurate gram portions.
MER multipliers: Inactive senior 1.2 · Adult neutered 1.6 · Adult intact 1.8 · Active adult 2.0–3.0 · Working dog 2.0–8.0 · Pregnant 1.6–2.0 · Lactating 4.0–8.0 · Puppy < 4 mo 3.0 · Puppy 4–12 mo 2.0. Source: National Research Council (2006), Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats.
Most adult dogs need between 25 and 30 kcal per pound of body weight per day, but the right number depends heavily on age, activity, and whether your dog is spayed or neutered. The table below gives vet-guided starting targets.
| Dog Weight | Puppy (kcal/day) | Adult Neutered (kcal/day) | Senior (kcal/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg / 11 lb | 390–450 | 265–295 | 220–260 |
| 10 kg / 22 lb | 655–755 | 445–495 | 370–435 |
| 20 kg / 44 lb | 1,100–1,265 | 745–830 | 620–730 |
| 30 kg / 66 lb | 1,500–1,725 | 1,015–1,130 | 845–995 |
| 40 kg / 88 lb | 1,860–2,140 | 1,260–1,405 | 1,050–1,235 |
Based on FEDIAF 2021 Nutritional Guidelines. Ranges reflect typical household activity levels. Use the calculator above for your dog's precise number.
RER stands for Resting Energy Requirement — the number of calories a dog needs to sustain basic metabolic functions at complete rest. It is the starting point veterinarians use before adjusting for activity and life stage.
The formula is: RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75. This allometric equation, validated through indirect calorimetry research and adopted by FEDIAF and WSAVA, accounts for the non-linear relationship between body mass and metabolic rate. A 30 kg dog does not need exactly three times the calories of a 10 kg dog — it needs about 2.5 times, because energy expenditure scales with surface area, not pure mass.
RER is then multiplied by a MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) factor — typically between 1.0 for a sedentary senior and 1.8 for a highly active adult intact male — to arrive at the dog's actual daily calorie target.
The MER multiplier is where most owners make errors. Many people pick "active" for a dog that does a daily walk, when "moderate" is more accurate. Overestimating activity is one of the leading causes of canine obesity.
| Life Stage / Status | MER Multiplier | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Neutered adult — low activity | 1.2 | Apartment dog, short daily walks |
| Neutered adult — moderate | 1.4–1.5 | 30–60 min outdoor activity/day |
| Intact adult — moderate | 1.6 | Standard family dog, not desexed |
| Active adult / working dog | 1.8–2.5 | Agility, hiking, working breeds |
| Puppy (weaning to 4 months) | 3.0 | High growth phase |
| Puppy (4 months to adult size) | 2.0 | Growth slowing, still developing |
| Senior dog | 1.1–1.4 | Reduced activity, lower metabolism |
| Weight loss goal | 1.0 | Use ideal target weight, not current |
Once you have your dog's daily kcal target, converting to portions takes one extra step: find the calorie density of your specific food. This is listed on the bag or can as "kcal/cup" or "kcal/kg" in the Guaranteed Analysis or Calorie Content statement — it is legally required on AAFCO-compliant labels.
Need help with body condition score? Use our Dog Body Condition Score Calculator — it works alongside this tool to dial in the right calorie adjustment for over or underweight dogs.
