🦴 Dog Food Calculator (How Much to Feed)
Enter your dog's weight and life stage to get its daily calorie needs — and roughly how many cups of your food that is.
Daily calories (MER)
854 kcal
RER 534 × 1.6
≈ Cups per day
2.37
Per meal (2×/day)
1.19
Resting energy (RER) = 70 × weight(kg)^0.75; daily need (MER) = RER × a life-stage factor. Cups use the calories printed on your food's label (kcal/cup varies a lot). A guideline — your vet's advice and your pet's body condition come first. 🔒 In your browser.
How the dog food calculator (how much to feed) works
Vets estimate energy needs in two steps. The Resting Energy Requirement is RER = 70 × (body-weight-kg)^0.75 — the calories needed at rest. That's multiplied by a life-stage factor to get the Maintenance Energy Requirement (daily need): about 1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.8 intact, 2.0+ for working dogs, 3.0 for a young puppy, and 1.0 for weight loss. Dividing by the calories per cup on your food's label gives the cups per day.
This is a starting estimate — real needs vary by up to ±50% with metabolism, activity and neuter status. The best guide is your dog's body condition: you should be able to feel the ribs easily and see a waist. Always use the kcal/cup from your specific food, and check with your vet.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my dog?
Estimate daily calories: RER = 70 × weight(kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor (≈ 1.6 for a neutered adult). Divide by your food's calories-per-cup to get cups per day. A 15 kg neutered adult needs roughly 600–650 kcal a day.
What is RER and MER for dogs?
RER (resting energy requirement) is the calories a dog needs at rest: 70 × weight(kg)^0.75. MER (maintenance energy requirement) is RER times a factor for life stage and activity — that's the daily amount to feed.
How many cups of food does my dog need?
Divide the daily calories by the kcal-per-cup printed on the bag (it varies widely, often 300–450 kcal/cup). The tool does this once you enter your food's figure — never rely on cups alone without the calorie content.
Should I feed my puppy more than an adult dog?
Yes — growing puppies need far more energy per kilo, with a factor around 3.0 (0–4 months) or 2.0 (4 months to adult) versus about 1.6 for a neutered adult. Choose the puppy option for the higher estimate.
How do I know if I'm feeding the right amount?
Watch body condition, not just the number: you should feel the ribs without pressing hard and see a waist from above. Adjust up or down over weeks and weigh regularly; your vet can score body condition.