Dogs
Dog food calculator: how much to feed your dog
Multiply your dog’s weight in kg to the power 0.75 by 70, then by 1.6 for a neutered adult: a 50 lb dog needs about 1,164 kcal a day, about 3.1 cups of a 380 kcal/cup food.
Dog calorie chart by weight
Daily calories for a healthy dog at an ideal weight, from the RER × factor method.
| Weight | Neutered adult | Not neutered | Inactive | Puppy 4 mo+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 207 | 233 | 168 | 259 |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 348 | 392 | 283 | 435 |
| 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 472 | 531 | 383 | 590 |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 585 | 659 | 476 | 732 |
| 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 794 | 893 | 645 | 992 |
| 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 985 | 1,108 | 800 | 1,231 |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 1,164 | 1,309 | 946 | 1,455 |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | 1,335 | 1,501 | 1,084 | 1,668 |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | 1,498 | 1,685 | 1,217 | 1,873 |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | 1,656 | 1,863 | 1,345 | 2,070 |
| 90 lb (40.8 kg) | 1,809 | 2,035 | 1,470 | 2,261 |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | 1,958 | 2,202 | 1,591 | 2,447 |
| 120 lb (54.4 kg) | 2,244 | 2,525 | 1,824 | 2,806 |
| 150 lb (68 kg) | 2,653 | 2,985 | 2,156 | 3,317 |
Enter your dog’s ideal weight if it is over- or underweight, and check the plan with your vet.
Citing this? Link to https://tools.thesturdypaw.com/dog-food/. Computed with RER = 70 × kg^0.75 and the Pet Nutrition Alliance factors. Free to reuse with a link (CC BY 4.0).
Where to find kcal per cup on the label
US pet food labels list it as “Calorie content (calculated)”, usually near the guaranteed analysis, in kcal/kg and kcal per cup (or per can). Enter the per-cup figure. Foods differ a lot, often 300 to 500 kcal per cup for dry food, so the same “2 cups” can be very different amounts of food.
How it works
First, resting energy: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75. Then a life-stage factor from the Pet Nutrition Alliance (for example 1.6 for a neutered adult dog, 1.2 for a neutered adult cat) gives daily calories. Dividing by your food’s kcal per cup gives cups. The Pet Nutrition Alliance notes that individual needs vary by up to 50%, so treat the answer as a starting point and adjust to body condition.
Questions
How much should I feed my dog?
Start from calories: a 50 lb neutered adult dog needs about 1,164 kcal a day, which is about 3.1 cups of a 380 kcal/cup food. Use your food’s own kcal per cup and adjust if your dog gains or loses weight.
How many cups of food should a dog eat a day?
It depends on the food: divide your dog’s daily calories by the kcal per cup on the bag. A richer food means fewer cups.
How much should a puppy eat?
Roughly 3 times resting energy under 4 months and 2 times from 4 months until adult size, split over several meals. Large-breed puppies need careful amounts, so follow your vet’s plan.
Should I follow the feeding guide on the bag?
Use it as a range, not a rule: bag guides cover a wide spread of dogs. The calorie method plus your dog’s body shape is more precise.
How many treats can my dog have?
Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories, and take them out of the main meals if you give more.
How much should a 20 lb dog eat a day?
About 585 kcal a day for a neutered adult; at 350 kcal per cup that is about 1.7 cups.
How much should a 70 lb dog eat a day?
About 1,498 kcal a day for a neutered adult, or 4.3 cups of a 350 kcal/cup food.
Does a neutered dog need less food?
Yes: the Pet Nutrition Alliance factor drops from 1.8 to 1.6 × resting energy, about 11% fewer calories than an intact adult of the same weight.
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