Dog & cat calorie calculator
Enter your pet's weight and life stage to see daily calorie needs, how much food that is in grams and ounces, and a sensible treat limit.
- Uses the RER formula from veterinary nutrition
- Neutered, intact, puppy/kitten, senior and weight-loss factors
- Works in kg or lb
How the calorie calculation works
The calculator uses the two-step method common in veterinary nutrition: resting energy requirement (RER), then a life-stage factor.
1. Resting energy requirement (RER)
2. Daily needs = RER × factor
| Life stage | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Neutered adult | × 1.6 | × 1.2 |
| Intact adult | × 1.8 | × 1.4 |
| Puppy / kitten | × 2.0 – 3.0 | × 2.5 |
| Weight loss (ideal weight) | × 1.0 | × 0.8 |
| Senior / less active | × 1.4 | × 1.1 |
| Active / working | × 2.0 and up | — |
3. From calories to grams
These values are a starting point. Two pets of the same weight can differ by up to 20%. The best guide is the weight trend over 2–4 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories does a 10 kg (22 lb) dog need?
For a neutered adult dog, RER is about 394 kcal; × 1.6 gives about 630 kcal a day. An intact dog needs about 710 kcal.
How many calories does a 4 kg (9 lb) cat need?
For a neutered adult cat, RER is about 198 kcal; × 1.2 gives about 238 kcal a day.
How many grams of food should I feed my dog?
Divide daily calories by the food's kcal/kg and multiply by 1000. For 630 kcal and a 3,600 kcal/kg food, that is about 175 g (6.2 oz) a day.
Do treats count?
Yes. Treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories; reduce the main meal on days you give more treats.
How accurate is this?
The formula is a general estimate used in veterinary nutrition. Real needs vary; adjust based on weight trend and check with your vet.
Track those calories every day
Vaccines, medications, meals, walks, calories and weight for your cat or dog in one app. Free to download, Premium free for 1 month.