How much should I feed my dog or cat? Pet food calculator
Work out how many calories and cups of food your dog or cat needs a day based on weight and life stage, using the formula veterinarians use as a starting point.
Enter your pet's current weight, life stage and, if you have it handy, the calories per cup (kcal/cup) printed on the food label. The calculator uses the same formula vets use as a starting point.
How it's calculated
- Resting energy requirement (RER). What the body burns at rest: 70 × (weight in kg)0.75. For example, a 22-lb (10 kg) dog needs about 394 calories at rest.
- Daily energy need (MER). The RER is multiplied by a factor based on species and life stage:
| Pet and life stage | Factor |
|---|---|
| Intact adult dog | 1.8 |
| Neutered adult dog | 1.6 |
| Dog prone to weight gain | 1.4 |
| Puppy under 4 months | 3 |
| Puppy over 4 months | 2 |
| Intact adult cat | 1.4 |
| Neutered adult cat | 1.2 |
| Cat prone to weight gain | 1 |
| Kitten | 2.5 |
- Cups of food. The daily calories are divided by the calories per cup of the food.
Why it's only a starting point
Two pets of the same weight can need very different amounts depending on breed, activity, climate and metabolism. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that these calculations are only a starting point and should be adjusted to how each animal responds. In practice:
- Weigh your pet every 2-4 weeks at first.
- If they gain weight, cut the portion by 10%; if they lose weight without trying, add 10%.
- Count the treats: they shouldn't be more than 10% of the day's calories.
- Use a measuring cup (or better, a kitchen scale): "a cup" scooped by eye can vary a lot.
If your pet is overweight and you want them to slim down, ask your vet for a plan: cutting food too much on your own can be dangerous, especially for cats, which can develop a serious liver disease if they eat too little.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a 22-lb dog eat?
A neutered adult dog weighing 22 lb needs about 630 calories a day. With a food that has 350 kcal per cup, that's about 1.8 cups a day. Compare with the feeding chart on the bag and adjust based on weight.
How many times a day should my pet eat?
Adult dogs and cats usually eat twice a day. Puppies and kittens need three or four meals a day, splitting the same total amount.
Is the feeding chart on the bag accurate?
It's a good reference, but it's an average. As the factor table shows, neutered pets or pets prone to weight gain need less energy than intact ones, so watch their weight and adjust if they gain.
Sources
This calculator gives a rough estimate based on the sources cited. It doesn't replace the judgment of a veterinarian who knows your pet.
