How the calculation works
Every feeding calculation starts with the calories a dog burns doing nothing at all — the resting energy requirement:
That figure is then multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity to get the daily energy requirement:
| Life stage | Factor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy, under 4 months | × 3.0 | Fastest growth |
| Puppy, 4–12 months | × 2.0 | Still growing |
| Active adult | × 2.0 | Working, agility, long daily walks |
| Normal adult | × 1.6 | The default for most pet dogs |
| Senior or inactive | × 1.2–1.4 | Short walks, sleeps a lot |
| Weight loss | × 1.0 | Calculated on target weight |
A 20 kg adult dog: 70 × 200.75 ≈ 662 calories at rest, × 1.6 ≈ 1,060 calories a day.
Dog feeding chart by weight
Daily amounts for a normal adult dog (× 1.6), with cups based on a 350 kcal per cup dry food. Check your own bag, because the range across brands is wide:
| Dog weight | Daily calories | Cups/day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg / 11 lb | ~375 kcal | ~1 cup |
| 10 kg / 22 lb | ~630 kcal | ~1.8 cups |
| 15 kg / 33 lb | ~855 kcal | ~2.4 cups |
| 20 kg / 44 lb | ~1,060 kcal | ~3 cups |
| 30 kg / 66 lb | ~1,435 kcal | ~4.1 cups |
| 40 kg / 88 lb | ~1,780 kcal | ~5.1 cups |
Overweight dog? Work from the weight your dog should be — the ideal weight calculator gives you that target.
Why the amount on the bag is usually too much
Feeding guides on packaging are written for an average intact adult dog with a fairly active life. Most pet dogs are neutered and get two walks a day, which puts their real needs well below that. Follow the bag without adjusting and the weight goes on so gradually that nobody notices for a year.
- Weigh the food. A scoop filled by eye is routinely 20% more than a level measuring cup.
- Recalculate after neutering, and again when your dog turns seven.
- Split the daily target into two meals for adults, three or four for puppies.
- Check body condition monthly. If the ribs are getting harder to feel, cut the portion by 10%.
A starting point, not a prescription. Pregnant and nursing dogs, working dogs, and dogs with diabetes, kidney disease or pancreatitis all have different needs that belong with a vet. And a dog losing weight without a diet change should be checked rather than fed more.
Aiming at the right target
Calories only help if the goal weight is right. Check your dog's body condition first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does my dog need a day?
Start with the resting energy requirement — RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 — then multiply by an activity factor: 1.6 for a normal adult, 2.0 for an active or working dog, 1.2–1.4 for a senior or inactive dog, 3.0 for a puppy under four months and 2.0 from four to twelve months. A 20 kg adult works out at about 1,060 calories a day.
How often should I feed my dog?
Puppies under six months need three to four meals a day. Adults do well on two, morning and evening. Leaving food down all day makes portion control impossible and is one of the most common reasons pet dogs gain weight.
How many cups of food is that?
It depends on the food as much as the dog. Dry foods range from roughly 300 to 500 calories per cup, so the same 600 calorie target might be two cups of one food and a little over one cup of another. Take the calories-per-cup figure from your bag and enter it in the calculator.
Is my dog overweight?
Feel the ribs with light pressure — they should be easy to count under a thin layer. Look down from above for a waist behind the ribs, and from the side the belly should tuck up rather than hang level. If the ribs are hard to find, feed for the weight your dog should be rather than the weight it is.
Should I count treats?
Yes. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories, and chews, dental sticks and training rewards all count. If your dog needs 600 calories a day, that caps treats at 60 — and the meals should come down to make room for them.
Does neutering change how much a dog needs?
Yes. Energy needs typically drop by around 20–30% after neutering, which is why so many dogs gain weight in the months that follow. Use the normal adult factor rather than the active one, and check body condition monthly for the first six months.