Sedentary (Little to no exercise)
Lightly Active (Daily walks, some play)
Moderately Active (1-2 hours of exercise daily)
Very Active (Intense exercise, working dog)
Enter your dog's details to calculate daily food needs.
Understanding Your Dog's Calorie Needs
Calculating the right amount of food for your dog is crucial for their health, weight management, and overall well-being. Factors like age, breed, activity level, and metabolism all play a role in determining their daily caloric intake. This calculator helps you estimate your dog's daily calorie requirements and the corresponding amount of their specific food needed.
The Calculation Explained
The calculation is based on the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) and then adjusted for the dog's activity level using multipliers to determine the Daily Energy Requirement (DER).
1. Resting Energy Requirement (RER):
RER is the energy needed for your dog to perform basic life-sustaining functions at rest. It's calculated using the following formula:
RER (kcal/day) = 70 * (body weight in kg ^ 0.75)
Where ^ 0.75 represents raising the weight to the power of 0.75.
2. Daily Energy Requirement (DER):
DER is the total daily caloric need, factoring in activity, reproduction, and growth. This is determined by multiplying the RER by a factor that corresponds to the dog's activity level:
Neutered/Spayed Adult: 1.6 x RER
Intact Adult: 1.8 x RER
Less Active/Obese Prone: 1.2-1.4 x RER
Active/Working Dogs: 2.0-5.0 x RER (this calculator uses a common range for 'Very Active')
For this calculator, we use common multipliers for different activity levels:
Sedentary: 1.4 x RER
Lightly Active: 1.6 x RER
Moderately Active: 1.8 x RER
Very Active: 2.0 x RER (can be higher for working dogs)
3. Food Amount Calculation:
Once you have the DER, you can calculate how much of their specific food your dog needs:
Grams of Food per Day = (DER in kcal/day) / (Kcal per kg of food / 1000)
This formula converts the daily caloric need into the weight (in grams) of the food required. We also provide an estimate in cups, assuming a standard density for dry kibble (approximately 100-120 grams per cup), though this can vary significantly by brand.
Why Use This Calculator?
Weight Management: Prevents obesity or underweight issues.
Optimal Health: Ensures your dog receives adequate nutrients and energy.
Customized Feeding: Tailors recommendations to your dog's specific needs.
Peace of Mind: Takes the guesswork out of feeding.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized dietary advice for your dog, especially if they have any health conditions.
function calculateCalories() {
var dogWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dogWeight").value);
var activityLevel = document.getElementById("activityLevel").value;
var foodKcalPerKg = parseFloat(document.getElementById("foodKcalPerKg").value);
var foodBrand = document.getElementById("foodBrand").value;
var resultTextElement = document.getElementById("resultText");
var gramsPerDayElement = document.getElementById("gramsPerDay");
var cupsPerDayElement = document.getElementById("cupsPerDay");
// Clear previous results
gramsPerDayElement.textContent = "";
cupsPerDayElement.textContent = "";
if (isNaN(dogWeight) || dogWeight <= 0) {
resultTextElement.textContent = "Please enter a valid dog weight (in kg).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(foodKcalPerKg) || foodKcalPerKg <= 0) {
resultTextElement.textContent = "Please enter the calorie content of the food (Kcal/kg).";
return;
}
// Calculate RER (Resting Energy Requirement)
var rer = 70 * Math.pow(dogWeight, 0.75);
// Determine activity multiplier
var activityMultiplier;
switch (activityLevel) {
case "sedentary":
activityMultiplier = 1.4;
break;
case "lightlyActive":
activityMultiplier = 1.6;
break;
case "moderatelyActive":
activityMultiplier = 1.8;
break;
case "veryActive":
activityMultiplier = 2.0;
break;
default:
activityMultiplier = 1.6; // Default to lightly active
}
// Calculate DER (Daily Energy Requirement)
var der = rer * activityMultiplier;
// Calculate grams of food per day
var gramsPerDay = (der * 1000) / foodKcalPerKg; // Convert kcal/kg to kcal/g
// Approximate cups per day (assuming 100g per cup for dry kibble)
// This is a rough estimate and can vary significantly between food brands.
var cupsPerDay = gramsPerDay / 100;
// Format results
var formattedGrams = gramsPerDay.toFixed(0); // Round to nearest whole gram
var formattedCups = cupsPerDay.toFixed(1); // Round to one decimal place for cups
resultTextElement.textContent = "Based on your input for '" + (foodBrand || "this food") + "':";
gramsPerDayElement.textContent = "Estimated Daily Food Amount: " + formattedGrams + " grams";
cupsPerDayElement.textContent = "(Approximately " + formattedCups + " cups)";
}