Dog Age
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Dog years to human years.
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Pets
Dog Calorie Calculator
Estimate how many calories and cups of food your dog needs a day from its weight and activity.
check your food bag; ~325–400 typical
Calories per day
—
What to feed for this weight.
| Cups per day | — |
|---|---|
| Resting need (RER) | — |
| Activity factor | — |
| Weight | — |
Show our math
Enter your figures above to see the step-by-step working.
A friendly estimate — ask your vetEverything computed client-side — nothing leaves this page
How the Dog Calorie Calculator Works
Vets size a dog’s meals from its resting energy requirement (RER) — the calories needed at rest — then scale it up for life stage and activity to get the maintenance energy requirement (MER). RER follows a well-established formula: 70 times body weight in kilograms to the power of 0.75. This calculator computes both and, if you enter your food’s calories per cup, converts the total into cups per day.
The activity factor does the heavy lifting: a neutered adult multiplies RER by about 1.6, an active working dog by 2.0 or more, a puppy by 2–3, and a weight-loss plan by 1.0. Treats count toward the total, so trim meals if you hand out extras.
RER = 70 × (kg)0.75 daily calories = RER × activity factor
Note: a friendly estimate based on common averages. Breeds vary widely — your veterinarian knows your pet best.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does my dog need?
Start from the resting requirement, 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor — about 1.6 for a neutered adult. A 30 lb neutered adult needs roughly 790 calories a day.
How much food is that in cups?
Divide the daily calories by your food’s calories per cup, printed on the bag (often 325–400). Enter that number and the calculator shows cups per day.
Should treats be included?
Yes. Treats are calories too. Keep them to about 10% of the daily total and reduce meal portions accordingly to avoid weight gain.
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