Calculate how much food your dog needs daily based on weight, age, and activity level. Get precise portions in grams and cups for dry food.
Canine nutrition science uses the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula as its foundation: RER = 70 multiplied by body weight in kilograms raised to the power of 0.75. This gives the base calories a dog needs at rest. The Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) multiplies RER by an activity factor: 1.0 to 1.2 for low-activity or senior dogs, 1.4 to 1.6 for moderately active adult dogs, 1.6 to 2.0 for highly active or working dogs, and 2.0 to 3.0 for puppies depending on age. Our calculator applies these veterinary-standard formulas and converts the calorie result into grams of food based on the caloric density of your chosen food type.
Puppies require significantly more calories per kilogram of body weight than adult dogs because they are growing rapidly. From 4 to 12 months, puppies typically need 2 to 3 times the adult maintenance calories relative to their current weight. Most veterinary nutritionists recommend feeding puppies 3 to 4 times per day until 6 months old, then transitioning to twice daily. Adult dogs (1 to 7 years) do best on twice-daily meals. Senior dogs (7 years and older for large breeds, 10 years and older for small breeds) often need 10 to 20% fewer calories but may benefit from higher protein to maintain muscle mass. Always transition between foods gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid digestive upset.
Dry kibble typically contains 300 to 400 calories per 100 grams and is the most economical option. Wet (canned) food contains about 80 to 120 calories per 100 grams due to its high moisture content (70 to 80% water). Raw diets vary widely but generally contain 150 to 250 calories per 100 grams. When switching between food types, you cannot simply substitute equal weights. Our calculator accounts for the caloric density difference so your dog gets the right amount of energy regardless of food format. Mixed feeding (combining dry and wet food) is common and can be calculated by splitting the daily calorie target between the two formats.
Source: https://www.wsava.org/guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines
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