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 your food’s calories per cup and you have the daily amount. That’s exactly what this calculator does.
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 (about 1.6 for a neutered adult, 2.0–3.0 for puppies, 1.0 for weight loss). Divide that by your food’s calories per cup to get cups per day.
- Where do I find my dog food’s calories?
- Look for “metabolizable energy (ME)” on the bag, usually given as kcal per cup or kcal per kg. Most dry adult foods are around 350–400 kcal per cup, but it varies a lot, so use your specific food’s number for accuracy.
- 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.