The formula
- Resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75
- Daily calories = RER × a factor for life stage:
| Dog | Factor |
|---|---|
| Neutered adult | 1.6 |
| Intact adult | 1.8 |
| Inactive or prone to weight gain | 1.2 to 1.4 |
| Weight loss | 1.0 |
| Growing puppy | 2 to 3 |
These come from the Pet Nutrition Alliance, which notes that individual dogs can vary by as much as 50%, so adjust by body condition.
Daily calories for a neutered adult
| Weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | about 207 kcal |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | about 348 kcal |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | about 585 kcal |
| 30 lb (13.6 kg) | about 794 kcal |
| 40 lb (18.1 kg) | about 985 kcal |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | about 1,164 kcal |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | about 1,335 kcal |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | about 1,498 kcal |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | about 1,656 kcal |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | about 1,958 kcal |
Turning calories into cups
Look on the bag or can for the calories per cup (kcal/cup). Divide daily calories by that number. The dog food calculator does it for you.
Treats
The WSAVA recommends treats stay under 10% of daily calories. For a 20 kg (44 lb) dog that is about 79 kcal a day.
Sources: Pet Nutrition Alliance, "Calculating Calories Based on Pet Needs"; WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, "Feeding treats to your dog". Checked October 17, 2026.
