Dog Food Calculator

Resting Energy Requirement (RER):

RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75

The RER represents the calories a dog needs at complete rest, just to keep breathing, circulating blood and repairing cells.

Daily Energy Requirement (DER):

DER = RER × Activity Factor

The activity factor accounts for the dog’s life stage, activity level, and whether they are spayed/neutered. A more active dog burns more calories and needs a higher factor.

“Active” and “working” are not the same band, and lumping them together is how this page used to underfeed a sled dog by a third. A pet that gets two good hours of exercise a day lands near 2.4. A dog genuinely working, pulling or herding for most of the day, runs from 3 up to 8 in extreme cold, and the 4.0 here is the middle of that. The dog calorie calculator uses the same two figures, so the pages agree.

Practical Example: A neutered adult Labrador weighing 30 kg (66 lbs): RER = 70 x 30^0.75 = 70 x 12.82 = 897 kcal/day DER = 897 x 1.6 = 1,435 kcal/day At 375 kcal per cup of food: 1,435 / 375 = 3.8 cups per day, split into 2 meals.

Converting calories to food: Most dry dog food contains 300-450 calories per cup. Check the “kcal/cup” value on your food’s packaging. This number varies significantly between brands and formulas, so always use the actual value from your specific food.

Tips:

• Puppies should eat 3-4 smaller meals per day. Adults do best on 2 meals per day.
• These are starting estimates. Adjust based on body condition: you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs easily but not see them standing out.
• Treats count toward daily calories. A good rule is treats should be no more than 10% of total daily intake.
• Always consult your veterinarian for personalized feeding advice, especially for dogs with health conditions.