Dog Food Calculator - Daily Calories and Serving Size
Dog Food Calculator: From Calories to Real Portions
This calculator estimates your dog’s daily energy needs and converts that calorie target into a practical feeding amount (cups or grams) based on the calorie density shown on your dog food label.
Step 1: Resting Energy Requirement (RER)
RER is an estimate of the calories your dog needs for basic body functions at rest. A commonly used veterinary equation is:
\( RER = 70 \cdot (Weight_{kg})^{0.75} \)
Because the exponent is less than 1, energy needs do not increase linearly with weight.
Step 2: Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER)
MER adjusts RER for life stage and activity using a multiplier:
\( MER = RER \cdot Factor \)
The factor depends on the dog’s situation (for example: typical adult maintenance, senior/low activity, puppy growth, or a controlled weight-loss plan).
Step 3: Convert Calories Into Cups or Grams
Dog food labels commonly report calorie density as one of the following:
- kcal per cup (common for kibble)
- kcal per 100 g
- kcal per kg
The calculator converts your daily calories into a daily portion:
\( Cups/day = \frac{MER}{kcalPerCup} \)
\( g/day = \frac{MER \cdot 100}{kcalPer100g} \)
\( g/day = \frac{MER \cdot 1000}{kcalPerKg} \)
Per-Meal Portions
If you feed multiple meals per day, the calculator also estimates:
\( PortionPerMeal = \frac{DailyPortion}{MealsPerDay} \)
This helps you split the same daily target consistently across meals.
How to Use the Results Safely
Use this as a starting point. Real needs vary by breed, body condition, temperature, and health status. Monitor your dog’s weight and body condition over time and adjust gradually.
Puppies and weight-loss plans often need more frequent reassessment. If your dog has a medical condition or you are targeting weight loss, consult a veterinarian for personalized guidance.
Why the Table Matters
The table shows the same weight and food label converted across multiple factors. This lets you compare “typical adult” versus “senior/low activity” or “puppy” scenarios and quickly see how portions change.