Dog Calorie Calculator
Short answer
A dog’s daily calorie need is its maintenance energy requirement: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, multiplied by a life-stage factor (about 1.6× for a neutered adult). A 20 kg (44 lb) neutered adult needs roughly 1,060 kcal a day.
Calories per cup is on your food’s bag (usually 300–500 kcal/cup). Adjust it for an accurate cups-per-day figure.
Your dog needs about 794 calories a day, roughly 2.3 cups.
Daily calories
794 kcal
Cups per day
2.3
Resting need (RER)
496 kcal
Per meal (×2)
1.1 cups
Each meal
1.1 cups (397 kcal) × 2 meals a day
Based on 350 kcal per cup — check your food’s label and adjust above.
Estimate only, from the RER = 70 × kg^0.75 formula with a life-stage factor. Confirm the right amount with your veterinarian and adjust to your dog’s body condition.
Consult your vet
These figures are planning estimates from the standard RER/MER formula and are not a substitute for veterinary advice. Your dog’s real needs depend on breed, body condition, health, and the specific food. Confirm the right amount with your veterinarian and adjust based on your dog’s body condition over time.
Dog food chart — calories & cups by weight
Daily calories and cups for a neutered adult dog on a 350 kcal/cup food. Puppies, intact, and working dogs need more; use the calculator above for your dog’s exact numbers.
| Weight (lb) | Weight (kg) | RER (kcal) | Daily calories | Cups/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2.3 | 129 | 207 | 0.6 |
| 10 | 4.5 | 218 | 348 | 1 |
| 20 | 9.1 | 366 | 585 | 1.7 |
| 30 | 13.6 | 496 | 794 | 2.3 |
| 40 | 18.1 | 615 | 985 | 2.8 |
| 50 | 22.7 | 727 | 1,164 | 3.3 |
| 60 | 27.2 | 834 | 1,335 | 3.8 |
| 80 | 36.3 | 1,035 | 1,656 | 4.7 |
| 100 | 45.4 | 1,223 | 1,958 | 5.6 |
Related
Frequently asked questions
How many calories does my dog need per day?
Multiply your dog’s resting energy requirement (RER = 70 × kg^0.75) by a life-stage factor: about 1.6× for a neutered adult, 1.8× intact, 1.0× for weight loss, and 2–3× for puppies or working dogs. A 10 kg dog has an RER of ~394 kcal, so a neutered adult needs ~630 kcal a day.
How do I count calories in dog food?
Pet-food labels list a metabolizable energy figure in kcal per cup or per kg. Divide your dog’s daily calorie target by the food’s kcal per cup to get cups per day, or by kcal per kg (× 1000) to get grams.
Do treats count toward my dog’s calories?
Yes. Treats should stay under about 10% of daily calories, and you subtract them from the meal ration so the daily total stays on target.