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Dog Food Calculator Guide
Feeding by the bag's one-size chart often over- or under-feeds. This calculator uses your dog's weight, life stage, and the calorie density of your food to estimate the right daily portion in cups and calories.
Resting energy (RER) = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75, then daily calories = RER × a life-stage factor. Cups per day = daily calories ÷ the food's kcal per cup.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog?
Start from your dog's resting energy requirement, multiply by a factor for activity and life stage (a neutered adult is about 1.6), then divide by your food's calories per cup. Adjust up or down based on body condition over a few weeks.
Life-Stage Factors
| Life Stage / Activity | Factor (× RER) |
|---|---|
| Weight loss | 1.0 |
| Adult, neutered | 1.6 |
| Adult, intact | 1.8 |
| Active / working | 2.0–5.0 |
| Puppy (4–12 months) | 2.0 |
| Puppy (under 4 months) | 2.5–3.0 |
Worked Example
A 30 lb (13.6 kg) neutered adult on 350 kcal/cup food: RER = 70 × 13.60.75 ≈ 495 kcal; daily = 495 × 1.6 ≈ 793 kcal; cups = 793 ÷ 350 ≈ 2.3 cups/day.
Tips
- Weigh with a measuring cup — eyeballing portions is the most common cause of overfeeding.
- Adjust by body condition: you should feel the ribs easily but not see them.
- Split into two meals for most adult dogs.
Also see our Puppy Size Calculator and Cat Calorie Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I feed my dog?
Estimate daily calories as 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 times a life-stage factor (about 1.6 for a neutered adult), then divide by your food's calories per cup.
How many cups of food does my dog need per day?
It depends on weight and food density — a 30-pound adult on 350 kcal/cup food needs roughly 2 to 2.5 cups a day.
How much should I feed a puppy?
Puppies need about 2 to 3 times their resting energy requirement, split across three or more meals a day.
Does feeding amount change with activity level?
Yes — active or working dogs may need twice the calories of a sedentary dog of the same weight.
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