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Dog Food & Daily Calorie Calculator

Kilograms (kg) Pounds (lbs)

Adult (Neutered / Average Activity) Adult (Intact / Active) Sedentary / Weight Loss Senior Dog Puppy (0-4 Months) Puppy (4 Months to Adult) Working / Performance Dog

Found on the back of the food bag (kcal/cup or kcal/100g).

Feeding Recommendation

Resting Energy Requirement (RER): 0 kcal/day

Total Daily Maintenance (MER): 0 kcal/day

Estimated Daily Food Amount:
0 cups/servings

function calculateDogFood() { var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dogWeight').value); var unit = document.getElementById('weightUnit').value; var activity = parseFloat(document.getElementById('activityLevel').value); var kcalPerUnit = parseFloat(document.getElementById('kcalPerUnit').value); var resultArea = document.getElementById('dogResultArea'); if (isNaN(weight) || weight 0) { var dailyAmount = mer / kcalPerUnit; document.getElementById('foodAmountResult').innerText = dailyAmount.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('unitLabel').innerText = "cups/servings per day"; } else { document.getElementById('foodAmountResult').innerText = "—"; document.getElementById('unitLabel').innerText = "Enter food calories to see amount"; } resultArea.style.display = 'block'; resultArea.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' }); }

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How Much Should You Feed Your Dog? A Guide to Canine Nutrition

Feeding your dog the right amount of food is one of the most important aspects of responsible pet ownership. Overfeeding leads to obesity, which is linked to joint problems, heart disease, and a shorter lifespan. Conversely, underfeeding can leave your dog lethargic and nutritionally deficient.

Understanding RER and MER

Dog nutritionists use two primary metrics to determine daily intake:

• Resting Energy Requirement (RER): The basic energy needed to maintain essential body functions like breathing, digestion, and heart function while at rest.
• Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER): The total energy your dog uses based on their life stage and activity level. This is calculated by multiplying the RER by a specific factor (e.g., 1.6 for a neutered adult dog).

Factors That Influence Feeding Portions

Every dog is unique. While our calculator provides a scientifically-backed starting point, you should adjust based on these factors:

1. Metabolism: Some breeds have naturally higher metabolic rates.
2. Life Stage: Puppies require significantly more calories to support rapid growth compared to senior dogs.
3. Body Condition Score: Can you feel your dog's ribs? If not, they may be overweight even if you are feeding the "recommended" amount.
4. Treat Intake: Treats should never account for more than 10% of a dog's total daily caloric intake.

Example Feeding Scenarios

Example 1: The Average House Dog
An 11kg (25lb) neutered Beagle needs roughly 540 calories per day. If the food contains 350 kcal per cup, the Beagle should eat approximately 1.5 cups per day.

Example 2: The Active Puppy
A 5kg (11lb) puppy (4 months old) has a high multiplier. They need roughly 470 calories per day despite their small size. With a high-calorie puppy food (450 kcal/cup), they would eat roughly 1 cup per day.

Tips for Successful Feeding

Always use a standard measuring cup rather than a generic kitchen scoop to ensure accuracy. If you switch food brands, always check the calorie density (kcal/kg) on the label, as recipes vary wildly between brands. If your dog is losing or gaining weight unexpectedly, consult with your veterinarian to rule out underlying medical issues.