How much to feed a dog: the formula vets use
Veterinarians estimate a dog's energy needs in two steps. First, the resting energy requirement (RER): the calories a dog burns at rest in a comfortable environment.
RER (kcal/day) = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75
Second, RER is multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity, giving the maintenance energy requirement (MER), the calories your dog needs per day:
| Situation | Factor × RER |
|---|---|
| Puppy, under 4 months | 3.0 |
| Puppy, 4 months to adult | 2.0 |
| Neutered or spayed adult | 1.6 |
| Intact adult | 1.8 |
| Senior or less active adult | 1.2–1.4 |
| Weight loss (based on ideal weight) | 1.0 |
| Very active adult | 2.0 |
| Working dog, moderate to heavy work | 3.0–8.0 |
| Pregnant, last 21 days | 3.0 |
| Nursing a litter | 4.0–8.0 |
Finally, divide the daily calories by the calorie content of your food. In the US, pet food labels must list calories as kcal per kg, and most dry foods also give kcal per cup.
Example: a neutered 50 lb (22.7 kg) adult dog. RER = 70 × 22.70.75 ≈ 727 kcal. MER = 727 × 1.6 ≈ 1,164 kcal a day. With a food of 350 kcal per cup, that is about 3.3 cups a day, or 1.7 cups per meal with two meals.
Dog feeding chart by weight
Daily calories for healthy adult dogs with normal activity. The cups column assumes a dry food with 350 kcal per cup; check your own bag and use the calculator for an exact amount.
| Dog weight | RER | Neutered adult | Intact adult | Cups/day (neutered) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 129 kcal | 207 kcal | 233 kcal | 0.6 |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 218 kcal | 348 kcal | 392 kcal | 1.0 |
| 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 295 kcal | 472 kcal | 531 kcal | 1.3 |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 366 kcal | 585 kcal | 659 kcal | 1.7 |
| 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 496 kcal | 793 kcal | 893 kcal | 2.3 |
| 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 615 kcal | 984 kcal | 1,108 kcal | 2.8 |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 727 kcal | 1,164 kcal | 1,310 kcal | 3.3 |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | 834 kcal | 1,335 kcal | 1,501 kcal | 3.8 |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | 936 kcal | 1,498 kcal | 1,686 kcal | 4.3 |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | 1,035 kcal | 1,656 kcal | 1,863 kcal | 4.7 |
| 90 lb (40.8 kg) | 1,131 kcal | 1,809 kcal | 2,035 kcal | 5.2 |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | 1,224 kcal | 1,958 kcal | 2,202 kcal | 5.6 |
| 120 lb (54.4 kg) | 1,403 kcal | 2,245 kcal | 2,525 kcal | 6.4 |
Raw dog food calculator: the percentage method
Raw feeders usually work with a share of body weight instead of calories. Adult dogs typically eat 2 to 3% of their ideal body weight per day. Use the lower end for less active or overweight dogs and the higher end for active dogs. Puppies grow fast and need much more relative to their size, starting around 8–10% of their current weight and tapering toward adult levels by 12 months.
A homemade raw diet is often split 80/10/10: 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone and 10% organ, of which half is liver. Commercial complete raw foods are already balanced, so you simply feed the daily amount of that product. Raw diets carry a risk of bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria for dogs and the people handling the food, so follow safe handling rules and talk to your vet before switching.
Adjusting the amount
Any calculator gives a starting point. Two dogs of the same weight can differ by 20–30% in what they burn. Weigh your dog every two to four weeks and check body condition: you should feel the ribs easily under a thin fat layer and see a waist from above. If your dog gains, cut the daily amount by about 10%; if it loses weight it should not, add 10%.
Count treats and chews. They should make up no more than 10% of daily calories, and the food amount should drop to match. For growing puppies, recalculate every couple of weeks; our puppy weight calculator shows how big your puppy is likely to get.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories does a dog need per day?
Start with the resting energy requirement, RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75, and multiply it by a life-stage factor: about 1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.8 for an intact adult, 2.0 for puppies over 4 months and 3.0 for puppies under 4 months. A neutered 50 lb (22.7 kg) adult dog needs roughly 1,160 kcal a day.
How many cups of food should I feed my dog?
Divide your dog's daily calories by the calories per cup printed on the food bag. Dry foods usually have 300 to 450 kcal per cup, so the same dog can need very different cup amounts depending on the food. A neutered 50 lb dog eating a 350 kcal/cup food needs about 3.3 cups a day.
Is the feeding guide on the bag accurate?
Bag guides are written for a typical, fairly active intact dog, so many neutered or less active pet dogs gain weight on them. Use them as a range, compare with a calorie-based calculation and adjust by your dog's body condition.
How much raw food should I feed my dog?
Raw feeders usually give adult dogs 2 to 3 percent of their ideal body weight per day: about 2 percent for less active or overweight dogs, 2.5 percent for a typical adult and 3 percent or more for very active dogs. Puppies need a higher percentage of their current weight.
How often should I feed my dog?
Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day. Puppies under 6 months usually get three to four smaller meals, and many vets recommend at least two meals for large, deep-chested breeds.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals (energy requirements of dogs).
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: nutritional assessment guidelines and body condition score charts.
- AAFCO: calorie content statements on pet food labels.
This calculator gives an estimate for healthy dogs, for general information. It is not veterinary advice. Dogs with medical conditions, pregnant or nursing dogs and dogs on a weight loss plan should be fed as your veterinarian advises. Last updated: October 2026.