Dog Feeding Calculator
Find your current food and enter your dog’s weight and age. Use the food’s published calories to calculate daily grams and see how treats change the amount.
Start with these 3 inputs
Showing an exampleAccuracy adjustments
The calculator works from middle defaults. Change these only when your dog differs.
Result
Maintenance Feeding Amount
Daily amount
Calculation basis
The 630kcal daily need is converted using the entered 3,600kcal/kg. The gram amount will change if the food package lists a different calorie value.
Per meal · 2 meals/day
88g
Estimated cups per meal: 1 · about 86g per cup
Cup weight can vary by kibble density, so grams are more reliable.
Choose the current food to apply its disclosed kcal/kg automatically.
Explore foods for your dog
Add your dog’s breed and ingredients to avoid to continue with recommendations. After choosing a food, use the same dog’s notebook for portions and daily records.
Check that the weight and age describe your dog. Your entries continue in the recommendation form and stay with you through sign-up.
Calculation Basis
RER = 70 × weight^0.75
The baseline resting calorie estimate from current body weight. Every portion calculation starts here.
MER = RER × profile adjustment
Age, neuter status, activity, and body condition adjust the estimate into daily kcal need.
Food g = daily kcal ÷ kcal/kg × 1000
Higher-calorie foods need fewer grams per day. Lower-calorie foods need more grams.
Treat kcal is subtracted first
Treats, chews, and toppers count inside the daily calorie budget, so they reduce the food amount.
Food Candidates for This Profile
For this profile, we first check balanced adult foods that are easier to match to maintenance calories.
These candidates match the weight, age, body condition, and activity you entered. Review each label together with the daily grams calculated here before choosing.
Feeding amounts checked? Compare the ingredients, too
Choose your current food and a new candidate to compare protein, carbohydrate and fiber sources, and intended use.
Compare two dog food labels →Calculate daily food grams, then compare food candidates
A dog feeding amount should not come from body weight alone. Use weight, age, body condition, and activity to estimate daily calories, convert food kcal/kg into grams, then account for treats and compare foods that fit the same profile.
Quick daily feeding reference by weight
These values are starting points calculated under the same assumptions. Search for your current food to apply its disclosed kcal/kg and get a more specific daily amount.
Neutered 3-year-old adult · ideal body condition · normal activity · 0 kcal from treats · 3,600 kcal/kg
| Weight | Daily calories | Daily food |
|---|---|---|
| 3kg | 256kcal | 71g |
| 5kg | 374kcal | 104g |
| 10kg | 630kcal | 175g |
| 20kg | 1,059kcal | 294g |
Age, activity, body condition, neuter status, and food calories all change the result. This is not a fixed feeding chart for every dog at the same weight.
Calculation basis and review date
RER and MER are starting points for canine energy needs. Adjust the feeding amount using the individual dog's condition and weight trend.
Calculation basis last reviewed: 2026-09-29
Convert daily calories into food grams
RER
70 x body weight(kg)^0.75
Resting energy requirement is the calorie starting point, not the final feeding amount for every dog.
MER
RER x activity and life-stage factor
Neuter status, activity, growth, weight loss, and body condition can move the daily calorie target.
Grams
daily kcal / (kcal/kg / 1,000)
Energy-dense foods require fewer grams. Lower-density foods require larger daily portions.
Treats
subtract treat calories first
Treats, chews, toppers, and training rewards count inside the daily calorie budget.
What to check after calculating portions
Dog Feeding Calculator FAQ
How many grams of food should a dog eat per day?
It depends on weight, age, activity, neuter status, target weight, and the food kcal/kg. Calculate daily calories first, then convert kcal/kg into grams.
Where do I find kcal/kg on dog food?
Look for calorie content on the bag or the manufacturer product page. Kcal/kg is more useful for gram-based feeding than kcal per cup.
Can I measure dog food with a cup?
A cup can work as a rough guide, but grams are more reliable. Kibble size and density can make the same cup volume weigh differently.
Should I use current weight or target weight for weight loss?
Start from the current weight and use the target weight to set a gradual plan. Rapid weight loss can affect appetite, lean mass, and overall health.
Why are grams important for small dog feeding amounts?
For small dogs, a 5g difference can be a meaningful share of daily calories. A scale is more reliable than cups when weight control matters.
Should senior dog food portions simply be reduced?
Not always. Senior dogs may need fewer calories, but lean mass, appetite, protein structure, and digestive tolerance still need to be checked together.
Are puppy feeding amounts different from adult calculations?
Yes. Puppies can change calorie needs quickly as they grow. Use the calculated amount as a starting point and watch weight gain, stool quality, and transition response.
How should I adjust food amounts for dog weight loss?
Start with treat calories, target weight, and weekly weight trend before cutting food grams aggressively. Reducing too quickly can affect appetite and lean mass.
Does dog age affect the feeding calculation?
Yes. Age helps separate puppy, adult, and senior context, but human-year conversion is not enough. Use weight, BCS, activity, and neuter status together.