Dog Calorie Calculator
Estimate how many calories a healthy dog needs a day from its weight and life stage, and how much of its food that means, using the standard veterinary formula.
Enter your dog's weight to see an estimate.
For healthy dogs. Puppies of large breeds, pregnant or nursing dogs and dogs with any medical condition need a plan from a vet. Recheck weight and body condition every two to four weeks and adjust by about 10 percent at a time.
How the calculator works
It uses the method most veterinary nutrition references start from.
- Resting energy requirement (RER): 70 × body weight in kilograms to the power of 0.75. This is what a dog uses at rest. The power of 0.75 reflects that a dog twice as heavy does not need twice the calories.
- Life-stage factor: the RER is multiplied by a factor for age, neutering and activity. A neutered adult dog with normal activity uses 1.6; a young puppy uses 3.0; a weight-loss plan uses 1.0 at the dog's ideal weight.
- Food amount (optional): divide the daily calories by the food's energy content, which most labels give in kcal per kilogram, and multiply by 1,000 for grams.
For example, a neutered 20 kg adult dog has an RER of about 662 kcal. Multiplied by 1.6, that is about 1,060 kcal a day. With a food that provides 3,600 kcal per kg, that is about 295 g a day.
Treat it as a starting point
Two dogs of the same weight can need quite different amounts. Breed, temperament, coat, weather and how active the dog really is all change the answer. So:
- Feed the suggested amount for two to four weeks.
- Weigh the dog and check its body condition: you should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, and see a waist from above.
- Adjust by about 10 percent at a time until weight is stable at a healthy condition.
Treats, chews and table scraps count. Keep them to about 10 percent of the daily total, and take them out of the day's food.
When not to use it
The calculator is for healthy dogs. Talk to a vet instead of relying on a formula if the dog:
- is a puppy of a large or giant breed, where controlled growth matters;
- is pregnant or nursing;
- has a medical condition or takes a prescription diet;
- has lost weight without explanation, or has a changed appetite.
Weight loss for an overweight dog should also start with the vet, who can rule out medical causes and agree a safe rate of loss.
Learn more
The full method, with worked examples and common mistakes, is in our guide to how to calculate a dog's calorie needs. To compare two foods fairly, see how to read a pet food label.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is a dog calorie calculator?
It gives a starting point, not an exact answer. Dogs of the same weight can differ considerably, so feed the suggested amount for two to four weeks, check weight and body condition, and adjust by about 10 percent at a time.
Should I use my dog's current weight or ideal weight?
Use current weight for a dog in good condition. For an overweight dog, a weight-loss plan is based on its ideal weight, and should be agreed with your vet so they can rule out medical causes first.