How portion sizes are calculated
Feeding is about calories. A dog’s baseline need is its resting energy requirement(RER) — 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 — which is then multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity to get the maintenance energy requirement(MER). Divide MER by the calorie value on your food's label and you have the daily amount. That's exactly what this calculator does for dry, wet, or fresh food.
Use the right label unit
Kibble is commonly labelled in kcal per cup, wet food per can or container, and refrigerated food per 100 g. A cup is a volume, not a fixed weight, so enter the value printed on your own package rather than converting by guesswork. Our dog food label guide explains which numbers to look for.
Changing foods?
Once you know the daily amount, use the dog food transition schedule to phase in a new food over seven or ten days.
The activity factors
- Puppy under 4 months: ×3.0 · 4–12 months: ×2.0
- Neutered adult: ×1.6 · Intact adult: ×1.8
- Active / working: ×2.0–2.5 · Senior: ×1.4
- Weight loss: ×1.0 (of the target weight)
Frequently asked questions
- How much should I feed my dog per day?
- It depends on calories, not just weight. A dog’s daily need is its resting energy requirement — 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 — multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity. Divide that by the calorie value on your own food label to estimate cups of dry food, wet-food containers, or grams of fresh food.
- Where do I find my dog food’s calories?
- Look for “metabolizable energy (ME)” or a calorie statement on the package. It may be shown as kcal per cup, can, container, 100 grams, or kilogram. Use the unit that matches the food you actually serve.
- How many times a day should I feed my dog?
- Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day. Puppies need more frequent meals — three to four times daily under six months. Splitting the daily amount into meals helps digestion and reduces begging.
- Should I feed by the bag’s chart instead?
- Bag charts are a starting point but are often generous. Calculating from calories is more precise. Whichever you use, weigh your dog’s portions, watch body condition (you should feel the ribs easily), and adjust every few weeks.
A starting point, not veterinary advice. Monitor your dog’s body condition and adjust. For puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, weight problems, or any medical condition, follow your veterinarian’s feeding plan.