🍖 Pet Food Calorie Calculator

How This Calculator Works

This calculator uses your pet's Resting Energy Requirement (RER) as its foundation: RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75. RER represents the calories your pet needs at complete rest just to maintain basic body functions. From there, a life-stage multiplier is applied to account for growth, activity, and reproductive status.

Spayed and neutered pets have roughly 20–30% lower calorie needs than intact animals of the same size and activity level — which is why that question is included. Overfeeding a neutered adult dog is one of the most common causes of gradual weight gain.

From Calories to Serving Size

Once you have your pet's daily calorie target, check your food packaging for the kcal/cup (dry food) or kcal/can (wet food) — usually listed near the guaranteed analysis. Divide the daily calorie target by the food's calorie density to get the daily serving in cups or cans.

For example: a dog needing 700 calories/day on a food with 350 kcal/cup needs 2 cups per day, split across meals. The feeding guides printed on bags are a starting point — individual metabolism means your pet may need 10–20% more or less than the estimate.

Adjusting Over Time

A calorie calculation gives you a starting point, not a permanent prescription. Weigh your pet monthly and adjust portions by 10% if they're gaining or losing unintended weight. The body condition check — ribs easily felt but not visible, visible waist from above — is more reliable than the scale alone for assessing whether feeding amounts are right.

RER vs. MER: What's the Difference?

RER (Resting Energy Requirement) is the baseline used above — calories needed at rest. MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) is RER multiplied by a life-stage/activity factor, which is what this calculator actually outputs as your pet's daily target. Veterinary nutritionists sometimes use RER alone as a reference point when discussing weight loss plans, since a controlled calorie deficit for a dog needing to lose weight is often calculated as a percentage below RER rather than MER.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a senior dog calorie calculator?

Yes — select your dog's age group above and this calculator adjusts for the lower activity and slower metabolism typical of senior dogs, which generally need 20–30% fewer calories than an active adult of the same weight.

How many calories should a 70 pound dog eat?

A 70 lb neutered adult dog at moderate activity typically needs roughly 1,750–2,100 calories per day (about 25–30 calories per pound). Active working dogs need more; senior or overweight dogs typically need less — enter your dog's exact details above for a personalized number.

How many calories does my dog need per day?

Daily calorie needs depend on your dog's weight, age, activity level, and whether they're spayed or neutered. A typical adult neutered dog needs roughly 25–30 calories per pound of body weight. Active dogs need more; senior or less active dogs need less.

How many calories does my cat need per day?

Most adult indoor cats need around 20–30 calories per pound of body weight per day. A 10 lb neutered adult cat typically needs 200–250 calories daily. Kittens need more per pound, and senior cats may need adjustments based on health status.

Should I follow the feeding guidelines on the pet food bag?

Pet food bag guidelines are a starting point but are typically calibrated for intact dogs at moderate activity. Most household pets are neutered and less active, so they often need 20–30% fewer calories than the bag suggests. Adjust based on your pet's body condition.