How much should you actually feed your dog?
The chart on the back of the bag is a starting point, not a prescription. It assumes an “average” dog — and your dog is not average. This calculator factors in activity, body condition, and the calorie density of what's in the bowl.
A few small questions. The maths takes care of itself.
Why these numbers.
Vets use a two-step formula. First, the Resting Energy Requirement— the calories a dog needs to do absolutely nothing. The maths is RER = 70 × bodyweightkg0.75. The fractional exponent is the important part: it accounts for the fact that small dogs burn more calories per pound than large ones.
Then the RER is multiplied by an activity factor — typically 1.2 for the inactive, up to 1.8 for working dogs — to get the daily calorie target. We adjust further for puppies (who roughly double the requirement during growth) and for body condition (gentle deficit for overweight, gentle surplus for underweight). The result is a target, not a verdict; the scale, two weeks later, is the verdict.
— National Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
How often, by life stage.
Frequency matters as much as quantity. Smaller, more predictable meals are easier on most dogs' stomachs.
| Stage | Meals/day | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 | Small stomach, fast metabolism, can't handle big portions yet. |
| Adult | 2 | Morning + evening keeps energy and digestion steady. |
| Senior | 2 (smaller) | Slower metabolism — same frequency, smaller portions. |
Asked, answered.
How do treats fit into the daily total?
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Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. If your dog needs 600 kcal a day, that's 60 kcal of treats — about three small training treats or one larger biscuit. Subtract that from the meal total so you don't double-feed.
What if my dog is on a weight-loss diet?
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For weight loss, feed to your dog's target weight rather than current weight, and aim for a 1–2% loss per week. Slower is safer, especially for small breeds. Re-weigh every two weeks and adjust by ±10% if the scale isn't moving.
How is puppy feeding different?
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Puppies need roughly 2× the calories of an adult dog of the same weight, split across 3–4 meals while their stomachs are small. As they approach adult size — around 12 months for most breeds, 18–24 for giants — taper down to adult portions and 2 meals.
How do I switch foods safely?
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Transition over 7–10 days: 25% new / 75% old for three days, then 50/50, then 75/25, then 100% new. Faster than that and most dogs get loose stools. If you see GI upset, slow down and add a spoonful of plain pumpkin.
Is grain-free actually better?
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For most dogs, no. Grain-free was a marketing trend, and the FDA has investigated a possible link between certain grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. Unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy — which is rare — a quality food with whole grains is fine.