Daily Calories: The estimated kilocalories your pet needs each day based on weight, life stage, and activity level. This is a starting point — actual needs vary by breed, metabolism, and health status.
Cups per Day: An approximate serving size assuming standard dry kibble at roughly 400 kcal per cup. Check your specific food's label, as calorie density varies widely between brands.
Feeding Frequency: Puppies and kittens generally need more frequent meals (3–4 times daily) because of their smaller stomachs and higher energy demands. Adults typically do well with 2 meals per day.
How This Calculator Works
You enter your pet's weight, type, age group, and activity level. The tool converts weight to kilograms, then applies the standard Resting Energy Requirement formula (RER = 70 × kg⁰·⁷⁵) and multiplies by life-stage and activity factors. Cats receive a 10% reduction. It divides total calories by 400 kcal/cup to estimate dry food portions. The calculator does not account for breed-specific needs, neutering status, or pregnancy.
Quick Questions
Why does my vet's recommendation differ from this result?
Vets factor in body condition score, specific health issues, and the calorie density of the exact food you use. This calculator uses general population-level multipliers, so treat it as a starting estimate rather than a prescription.
Does this work for wet food too?
The calorie estimate applies to any food type, but the cups-per-day figure assumes dry kibble at ~400 kcal/cup. Wet food is typically 70–120 kcal per 5.5 oz can, so you would need to divide your calorie target by your specific food's density.
Should I feed my pet more if they are very active?
Yes. Working dogs, hunting dogs, or highly active cats generally need 1.5–2× the calories of a sedentary pet. Select "High" activity in the calculator, and adjust further based on weight trends over time.
How do I know if my pet is the right weight?
Your vet can assess body condition score (BCS) on a 1–9 scale. A score of 4–5 is ideal. If you can feel ribs without pressing hard and see a waist from above, your pet is generally at a healthy weight.