Dog calorie calculator
Enter your dog's weight and life stage to see how many calories a day the standard veterinary formula suggests. To turn calories into cups or cans, use the how much to feed a dog calculator.
Range 968 to 1,183 kcal
- Resting needs
- 672 kcal
- Life stage factor
- 1.6
Dog calories by weight
Daily calories for an adult dog at four common settings. The weight loss column uses the target weight.
| Weight (lb) | Resting | Weight loss | Low activity | Neutered | Not neutered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 129 | 129 | 181 | 207 | 233 |
| 10 | 218 | 218 | 305 | 348 | 392 |
| 15 | 295 | 295 | 413 | 472 | 531 |
| 20 | 366 | 366 | 512 | 585 | 659 |
| 30 | 496 | 496 | 694 | 794 | 893 |
| 40 | 615 | 615 | 862 | 985 | 1,108 |
| 50 | 727 | 727 | 1,018 | 1,164 | 1,309 |
| 60 | 834 | 834 | 1,168 | 1,335 | 1,501 |
| 70 | 936 | 936 | 1,311 | 1,498 | 1,685 |
| 80 | 1,035 | 1,035 | 1,449 | 1,656 | 1,863 |
| 100 | 1,223 | 1,223 | 1,713 | 1,958 | 2,202 |
All values are kcal a day. Resting is the energy a dog needs at rest, and the other columns multiply it by a life stage factor.
How the calculation works
| Life stage | Factor |
|---|---|
| Adult, neutered or spayed | 1.6 |
| Adult, not neutered | 1.8 |
| Prone to weight gain or low activity | 1.4 |
| Weight loss (use target weight) | 1.0 |
| Puppy 4 months and older | 2.0 |
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 |
Calories for weight loss
For a dog that needs to lose weight, enter the target weight and choose weight loss. The calculator then gives the calories for the target weight, which is the usual way to set a diet. Ask your vet for the target, and weigh your dog every two weeks.
Calories for older dogs
This calculator has no separate setting for senior dogs. Many older dogs are less active, so a lower setting such as low activity is a reasonable starting point. Check body condition with the body condition check and adjust in small steps, or ask your vet.
Questions
How many calories should my dog eat a day?
For a 45 lb neutered adult dog the formula gives about 1,076 kcal a day. Enter your own dog above.
Does breed change the calories?
The formula uses weight and life stage, not breed. Breeds still differ in activity and metabolism, so treat the result as a starting point and adjust by body condition.
How many calories does a dog need to lose weight?
Use the target weight and the weight loss setting. For a 45 lb target that is about 672 kcal a day.
How many calories does a puppy need?
Puppies need more for growth. Use the puppy settings or the puppy feeding chart.
How do I turn calories into cups?
Divide the daily calories by the kcal in one cup, printed on the food bag. The how much to feed a dog calculator does this for you.
Is this exact?
No. It is a starting point from the standard veterinary formula. Dogs vary, so adjust the amount in small steps based on weight and body condition.
Sources
- Hill's Pet Nutrition, Estimated Energy Requirements for Dogs and Cats (resting energy requirement and life stage multipliers).
Last reviewed 2026-10-26. This page is general information and not veterinary advice.