Calculate daily caloric needs for your dog
Determine how many calories your dog needs each day to maintain a healthy weight.
A dog calories calculator figures out how many calories your dog should eat each day based on their weight, activity level, age, and health. It helps keep your pet from becoming overweight or undernourished by giving them exact nutritional advice based on their needs.
Our Dog Calories Calculator uses the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula combined with activity multipliers to determine your dog's daily caloric needs:
This calculates your dog's resting energy requirement
RER = 70 × (20)^0.75 = 70 × 11.9 = 833 calories
Daily needs = 833 × 1.6 = 1,333 calories
Protein = (1,333 × 0.275) ÷ 4 = 92g
Fat = (1,333 × 0.175) ÷ 9 = 26g
Result: A 44 lb active dog needs ≈ 1,333 calories, 92g protein, and 26g fat daily
Think about how much energy you have, how often you walk, and how much time you spend playing. Inactive means mostly lying around, normal means one or two walks a day, active means more than one walk and play, and very active means intense exercise or working dogs.
Yes! Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. Reduce meal portions accordingly when giving treats to maintain proper weight.
Talk to your vet about the best diet for your pet. To lose weight, cut back on calories by 10–20%. To gain weight in a healthy way, add 10–15% more calories. Always follow the advice of a doctor.
Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes significantly, activity level changes, or every 6 months as part of regular health monitoring.
Because their metabolism is slower, older dogs usually need 10–20% fewer calories. Puppies, on the other hand, need 2–3 times as many calories as adults. Always ask your vet for feeding advice that is right for your pet's age.