Dog Food Calculator: How Much Should I Feed My Dog?
Over half of US dogs are overweight, and "feed to the bag chart" is a big part of why. This calculator starts from calories the way vets do, RER × lifestyle factor, then converts to cups of your food and budgets the treats honestly.
How the calculation works
RER = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75: resting energy requirement, what your dog burns doing nothing. Multiply by a lifestyle factor:
| Dog | Factor × RER |
|---|---|
| Neutered adult, typical activity | 1.6 |
| Intact adult | 1.8 |
| Low activity / gain-prone | 1.2–1.4 |
| Very active | 2.0+ |
| Working dog in season | 2.5–5 |
| Weight loss (vet-supervised) | 1.0–1.2 × RER of ideal weight |
Then cups = calories ÷ your bag's kcal/cup. Two dogs of the same weight can differ by 25% or more: the formula gets you to the right starting line, and the monthly weigh-in plus rib check steers from there.
The treat problem
Treats should be ≤10% of daily calories, and they add up brutally fast: one dental chew is 70–100 kcal, a slice of cheese ~90. For a 20 lb dog on ~550 kcal/day, that's a fifth of the budget in one "little extra". The calculator carves the 10% out explicitly so meals and treats stay honest together.
Dog feeding FAQ
How much should I feed my dog per day?
Calories first: RER (70 × kg0.75) × 1.6 for a typical neutered adult, then ÷ kcal/cup from your bag. A 50 lb dog: ~1,160 kcal ≈ 3 cups of 380 kcal/cup food, split over two meals. Then adjust to body condition.
How many calories does a dog need?
Ballparks for neutered adults: 10 lb ~370 kcal, 25 lb ~700, 50 lb ~1,160, 75 lb ~1,570, 100 lb ~1,950. Individuals vary ±25%: treat these as starting points, not targets to defend.
Why is my dog gaining on the "recommended" amount?
Bag charts skew generous and don't know about your treats. Count everything, cap treats at 10%, re-measure the scoop (a "cup" is a level 8 oz measuring cup, not a mug), and reduce by ~10% until the waist reappears.
How do I help my dog lose weight?
With your vet: feed ~1.0–1.2 × RER of the ideal weight, aim for 1–2% body weight lost per week, switch treats to green beans or carrots, and re-weigh every 2 weeks. Vet first: hypothyroidism and other conditions mimic "just overweight".
Once or twice a day?
Twice for most adults: steadier hunger, better appetite monitoring, and lower bloat risk in deep-chested breeds than one big meal.
Obesity is the cheapest disease to prevent, and one of the priciest to treat
Cruciate tears, diabetes and joint disease all track with weight. If you're insuring, do it before any of that is on the record. Real 2026 prices by provider:
Compare pet insurance prices →Related dog calculators
Sources: NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs; WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee guidance; AAHA nutrition and weight-management guidelines (RER and maintenance factors); APOP pet obesity prevalence surveys. Last reviewed August 2026.