What this calculator does
This tool estimates calories with the same RER/MER model used by many feeding calculators, then converts calories into cooked grams using your recipe’s calorie density. It is useful for portioning, meal splitting, and batch prep. It does not validate whether the recipe is complete and balanced.
Homemade food safety reminders
- Do not feed cooked bones; they can splinter.
- Do not include onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, xylitol, chocolate, alcohol, or macadamia nuts.
- Long-term homemade diets need calcium and micronutrient formulation, not just calories.
- Puppies, pregnant dogs, and dogs with medical conditions need veterinary guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- How much homemade food should I feed my dog?
- Start with calories. Estimate daily energy need from weight, life stage, and activity, then divide by your recipe’s calories per 100 g. This gives cooked grams per day. The exact amount still needs adjustment based on body condition and your veterinarian’s advice.
- Is homemade dog food automatically complete and balanced?
- No. Meat, rice, and vegetables can meet calories but still miss calcium, trace minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fats. Long-term homemade diets should use a complete recipe from a veterinarian or board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
- What ingredient split should homemade dog food use?
- A simple cooked split is often around half animal protein, with the rest from vegetables and a digestible starch or fiber source. That is a portioning shortcut, not a nutrient guarantee, because minerals and fatty acids still need formulation.
- Can puppies eat homemade food?
- Puppies have strict calcium, phosphorus, energy, and growth requirements. Do not improvise a puppy homemade diet; use a veterinarian-formulated recipe and monitor growth closely.
General planning tool only. For a complete homemade dog diet, use a veterinarian-formulated recipe or consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.