Use this free dog food calculator (it works for cats too) to estimate how many calories and cups of dry food your pet needs each day. Enter your pet’s weight and life-stage, and we’ll calculate the vet-style RER/MER daily calorie target plus an approximate cups-per-day portion.
Cups are based on ~350 kcal per cup of dry food — varies by food; check your bag’s kcal/cup.
⚠️ Estimate only — consult your vet; wet food and kcal density vary.
How to use this dog & cat food calculator
Pick your pet type, enter its current weight (in kg or lb), and choose the activity or life-stage that best fits. The tool first finds the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) — the calories needed at rest — using the formula RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75. It then multiplies RER by a life-stage factor to get the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER), your pet's realistic daily calorie target.
Calories vs. cups: why portions vary
Two foods of the same volume can hold very different calories, so cups are only a starting point. We assume roughly 350 kcal per cup of dry kibble, but premium and weight-management formulas range from about 280 to 450 kcal per cup. Always check the kcal/cup printed on your bag, split the daily amount across meals, and adjust based on your pet's body condition and your vet's guidance.
Copy this code to add the Dog & Cat Food Portion Calculator to any page (link-back appreciated):