Dog food portion calculator
Daily calories, grams and cost from your dog's weight and the food's label, using the formula vets use. No email needed.
A starting point for your dog
- Calories a day
- 927–1059 kcal
- Food a day
- Add kcal per 100 g
- Cost a day
- Add kcal and price
- Cost per 30 days
- Add kcal and price
A 20 kg dog's resting energy is about 662 kcal a day (70 × weight0.75). For “adult, neutered”, AAHA gives a factor of 1.4–1.6, so 662 × 1.4–1.6 = 927–1059 kcal a day.
This is a starting point, not a prescription. Weigh food rather than using a scoop, check your dog's weight and body condition regularly, and adjust gradually. Treats and chews count towards the total.
Compare UK dog foodsHow we calculate this
The calculator uses the energy formula in the American Animal Hospital Association's 2021 nutrition guidelines. First it works out your dog's resting energy requirement: 70 × body weight in kg to the power 0.75. It then multiplies that by a life-stage factor to estimate the calories needed each day. Dividing by the food's energy density gives grams; multiplying by the price per kg gives the cost.
| Life stage | Factor |
|---|---|
| Puppy, under 4 months | 3.0 |
| Puppy, 4 months to adult | 2.0 |
| Adult, neutered | 1.4–1.6 |
| Adult, not neutered | 1.6–1.8 |
| Adult, inactive or gains weight easily | 1.0–1.2 |
| Weight loss (agree a target with your vet) | 1.0 |
| Working dog, light work | 1.6–2.0 |
| Working dog, moderate work | 2.0–5.0 |
Quick reference: neutered adult dogs
Calories a day at the AAHA factor of 1.4–1.6for a neutered adult. Use your dog's ideal weight.
| Ideal weight | Resting energy | kcal a day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 234 kcal | 328–374 kcal |
| 10 kg | 394 kcal | 551–630 kcal |
| 20 kg | 662 kcal | 927–1059 kcal |
| 30 kg | 897 kcal | 1256–1436 kcal |
| 40 kg | 1113 kcal | 1559–1781 kcal |
Same formula as the calculator. A starting point; adjust to keep your dog at a healthy body condition.
Questions
Why is my result different from the feeding guide on the pack?
Feeding guides on packs are estimates too, so the two may not match exactly. This calculator uses your dog's own weight and the AAHA formula; treat both as starting points and adjust by watching your dog's weight and body condition.
Where do I find the kcal figure for my dog's food?
It is usually printed as "metabolisable energy" on the pack or listed on the brand's website, either in kcal per 100 g or kcal per kg. If it is given per kg, divide by 10.
How do I work out the price per kg?
Divide the bag price by its weight in kg.
Do treats count towards the daily amount?
Yes. Treats and chews count towards the daily total too.
What weight should I enter if my dog is overweight?
Use the target (ideal) weight rather than the current weight. If your dog is losing or gaining weight it shouldn't, has a medical condition, or you are planning weight loss, agree the target with your vet.
Why might my dog need fewer calories than the result?
The life-stage factors are averages. AAHA notes that sedentary and indoor pets may need fewer calories than the table suggests, and that portions should be adjusted by monitoring body weight and body condition.
To compare what different foods cost in practice, see our dog food cost guide, and for choosing a food, our dog food comparison and buying guide.