Dog Food Calculator

Calculate daily calories and cups of food for your dog by weight, age and activity level.

Check your food bag label
RER (kcal/day)
—
resting energy requirement
Daily Calories
—
kcal/day recommended
Cups per Day
—
dry kibble
Meals per Day
—
Cups per Meal
—

Consult your veterinarian — individual needs vary based on health, breed and body condition score.

How the Dog Food Calculator Works

This calculator uses the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula — the gold standard in veterinary nutrition. RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 gives the baseline calories your dog needs at rest. That figure is then multiplied by a life stage and activity factor: adult dogs at moderate activity use 1.6×, while working dogs need up to 3.0×. Puppies require 2.0× their RER to fuel rapid growth. Seniors are adjusted down to 1.2× as their metabolism slows. Once daily calories are known, dividing by the caloric density printed on your food bag (kcal per cup) gives the daily serving in cups. Always check your specific food's label — kibble can range from 270 to 500+ kcal/cup. Split the daily portion into 2 meals for adult and senior dogs, or 3 meals for puppies to support digestive health and stable blood sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I feed my dog per day?
Use your dog's weight and the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75. Multiply by an activity factor (1.4–1.8 for adult dogs). Divide by the kcal/cup on your food bag to get the daily cup amount.
How many cups of food should a 30-pound dog eat?
A moderately active 30-lb adult dog needs roughly 800–900 kcal/day. At 370 kcal/cup, that's about 2–2.5 cups split into 2 meals.
How much should a puppy eat vs an adult dog?
Puppies need 2–3× their RER to support growth. Feed puppies 3 times daily until 6 months, then twice daily.
Should I free-feed my dog or measure portions?
Measured portions are strongly recommended to prevent obesity. Free-feeding makes it hard to track intake and notice appetite changes that can be an early sign of illness.

Related Tools

Cat Food Calculator Dog Pregnancy Calculator Dog Age Calculator