How it's calculated
It's based on the standard veterinary formula for energy requirements:
RER (resting energy requirement) = 70 ร (weight in kg)0.75 โ this is how many calories a dog burns just by existing. RER is then multiplied by a factor that depends on age, neutering and activity:
| Situation | Multiplier (ร RER) |
|---|---|
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 |
| Puppy 4โ12 months | 2.0 |
| Adult, neutered, normal activity | 1.6 |
| Adult, intact | 1.8 |
| Senior (7+) | 1.4 |
| Working dog | 2.0โ5.0 |
| Weight loss | ร0.85 of normal |
| Weight gain | ร1.15 of normal |
To get grams per day, the final calorie figure is divided by your food's calorie density. Calorie density is always printed on the bag as "kcal/100 g" or "kcal/kg" (in that case, divide by 10). If it's not on the bag, look for the spec sheet on the manufacturer's website.
Body condition โ the real final check
Any calculation is just a starting point. After that, look at the dog's body:
- Just right: ribs don't stick out but can be felt with light pressure from your palm. A waist is visible from above.
- Too thin: ribs show through the coat and the waist is sharply pronounced โ add 10% more food and reassess in 2โ3 weeks.
- Overweight: ribs are hard to feel and there's no waist โ cut the portion by 10% and reassess in 2โ3 weeks.
Treats count too: they should be no more than 10% of daily calories. If you train heavily with treats, subtract them from the main portion.
Common questions
What if I feed both dry and wet food?
Count the calories separately for each food and add them up. For example: 100 g of dry ร 380 kcal/100 g = 380 kcal; + 200 g of wet ร 90 kcal/100 g = 180 kcal; total 560 kcal. Compare that with the target amount.
Can I feed my dog the same amount for life?
No. After neutering, energy needs drop by 20โ30%. With age, another 10โ15%. Weight gain calls for adjustment too. Recalculate every 2โ3 months and whenever weight changes by more than 5%.
What if my dog is a working dog or trains hard?
Use the "working" factor (ร2.0 and up). For hunting, sled and sporting dogs, the real requirement can be 2โ3 times higher than "normal." Check with a veterinary nutritionist.
What if my dog has a condition (kidneys, diabetes, pancreatitis)?
This calculator is for healthy dogs. Medical conditions call for a therapeutic diet and an individual portion set by your vet.