Free tool
Dog & cat feeding calculator
How much should you feed your dog or cat? Enter their weight, life stage and activity to estimate daily calories, then add your food's energy to turn that into cups or grams per day and per meal.
Estimated daily energy
Enter your dog's weight to see an estimate of calories per day.
A starting estimate for a healthy pet, not a prescription. Adjust with your veterinarian based on body condition.
Not veterinary advice. This calculator gives a general estimate for healthy dogs and cats. It does not diagnose, treat or replace the advice of a licensed veterinarian. Pets with medical conditions, pregnant or nursing pets, and pets that are underweight or overweight should have their calorie targets set by a vet. If your pet's weight or appetite changes, talk to your veterinarian. See also our AI disclaimer.
How it works
How the pet calorie calculation works
Veterinary nutrition references, including the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, start from the resting energy requirement (RER): the energy a healthy animal needs at rest.
RER (kcal/day) = 70 x body weight in kg0.75
The daily energy requirement is the RER multiplied by a factor that reflects life stage, neuter status, activity and goals. The factors below are general guidelines for healthy pets. They are starting points, not rules, and individual dogs and cats can need noticeably more or less.
To convert calories into portions, the calculator divides the daily calories by the energy in your food (kcal per cup, or kcal per 100 g), then splits the total across your chosen number of meals. Pounds are converted to kilograms first (1 lb is about 0.4536 kg), and the formula is applied to that exact figure.
Dog factors
| Life stage or goal | Low | Moderate | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 | ||
| Puppy 4 to 12 months | 2.0 | ||
| Adult, neutered or spayed | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Adult, not neutered | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Senior (7 years and over) | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Weight loss goal (adults only)Resting energy of the current weight. Puppies and kittens use their growth factor. | 1.0 | ||
Cat factors
| Life stage or goal | Low | Moderate | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitten (under 1 year) | 2.5 | ||
| Adult, neutered or spayed (1 to 10 years) | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| Adult, not neutered (1 to 10 years) | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Senior (over 10 years) | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Weight loss goal (adults only)Resting energy of the current weight. Puppies and kittens use their growth factor. | 1.0 | ||
Working dogs and very active pets vary a lot; ask your vet to set a target.
Check body condition every few weeks: you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist from above. If your pet is gaining or losing weight when they should not be, adjust portions by about 10% and talk to your vet. For a worked example by weight, see how much to feed a dog by weight and the cat feeding schedule by age.
Want more detail for one species, or a week laid out? Try the dog calorie calculator, the cat calorie calculator, the meal plan generator with a sample 7-day schedule, or the puppy feeding chart.
Got questions?
Feeding calculator FAQ
How many calories does my dog need per day?
A common starting point is resting energy requirement (RER = 70 x body weight in kg to the power of 0.75) multiplied by a life-stage factor. For a 10 kg neutered adult dog, RER is about 394 kcal and the factor is 1.6, so roughly 630 kcal a day at moderate activity. Real needs vary with breed, activity and metabolism, so adjust with your vet based on body condition. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
How much should I feed my cat?
Use the same method with the cat factors. For a 4 kg neutered adult cat, RER is about 198 kcal and the factor is 1.2, so roughly 238 kcal a day at moderate activity. Cats vary widely, so treat the result as a starting point and watch body condition and weight over several weeks. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
What is RER?
RER stands for resting energy requirement: the energy a healthy animal at rest needs to keep its body running. It is calculated as 70 x (body weight in kg)^0.75. The daily energy requirement is RER multiplied by a factor for life stage, neuter status, activity and goals. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Where do I find the calories in my pet's food?
Look on the bag or can for a calorie statement, usually written as kcal ME (metabolizable energy) per kg and per cup or can. If you cannot find it, check the manufacturer's website or contact them. Enter the figure as kcal per cup, or as kcal per 100 g (kcal per kg divided by 10). Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Does the calculator work for puppies and kittens?
Yes, it includes puppy and kitten factors. The weight-loss goal and the activity level are switched off for them, because growing pets need their full growth calories. Growing pets need to be weighed often and their portions adjusted as they grow, and large-breed puppies need carefully controlled growth. Ask your vet to check growth and body condition. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
What weight should I enter for weight loss?
Enter your pet's current weight and choose the weight-loss goal, which is available for adult dogs and cats only. The calculator uses RER (1.0 x resting energy) of the current weight as a safe starting floor. A vet can set a proper target. Weight loss in cats in particular should be gradual and supervised. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Do treats count toward the daily calories?
Yes. Many veterinary sources suggest keeping treats to about 10% of daily calories, with the rest coming from a diet that meets AAFCO nutrient standards. Reduce meal portions to make room for treats. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Can I use this instead of veterinary advice?
No. The calculator gives a general estimate for healthy pets. Pets with medical conditions, pregnant or nursing animals, and pets that are underweight or overweight need advice from a veterinarian. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Want a plan built around your pet?
A calculator gives you a number. PetKira turns it into personalised AI meal plans and feeding reminders that learn what your dog or cat actually eats. Start with a free trial, no credit card needed.
Android is on Google Play now. iPhone? Get notified when iOS launches.