Pet food calculator: The right daily food amount for dogs and cats
Too much, too little, or just right? Calculate the optimal food amount for your dog or cat.
Enter weight, activity level and food type, and we'll calculate the right daily amount.
Good to know
The calculated amount is a guideline for one day. It's best to split it into two to three meals. Watch your pet over a few weeks: if it gains or loses weight, you can easily adjust the amount. The result is most accurate when you enter the kcal value directly from your food packaging.
How we calculate it
How much your dog or cat needs daily depends not only on weight, but also on activity, life stage and the energy content of the food. Our calculator uses the so-called Resting Energy Requirement (RER), a formula established in veterinary medicine: RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75.
The RER describes how much energy your pet burns at rest. Since hardly any dog or cat rests all day, we multiply the RER by an activity factor matching the life stage:
- Puppy/kitten (under 1 year): factor 2.5
- Adult, low activity: factor 1.2
- Adult, normal activity: factor 1.6
- Very active/working animal: factor 2.0
- Weight loss (after consulting your vet): factor 1.0
The result is the daily energy requirement in kilocalories (kcal). To turn that into a food amount in grams, we also need the food's energy content (kcal per 100g). This varies a lot between dry food (roughly 375 kcal/100g on average) and wet food (roughly 100 kcal/100g on average). Entering the exact value from your packaging makes the result even more precise.
Background
Whether your dog or cat is at the right weight isn't just about the scale. The Body Condition Score (BCS) is far more informative. To check it, feel your pet's ribs: at ideal weight, you can feel them easily under a thin layer of fat, without them protruding. Viewed from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs, and from the side, a slight "tuck-up".
If you can barely feel the ribs and there's no waist at all, your pet is likely overweight, a common issue that can strain joints, heart and life expectancy. If the ribs are clearly visible, your pet might be underweight.
If you're unsure, a quick vet check is the safest option, especially since nutrient needs change over a lifetime. A puppy or kitten needs proportionally much more energy than a calm senior.
By the way: how your pet's age translates into human years, and from when it's officially a senior, our dog age calculator and cat age calculator can tell you.
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Our guide "Dry food, wet food or raw feeding" helps you decide.
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Where does the calculation come from?
Our calculator is based on the Resting Energy Requirement (RER), a formula recognized in veterinary medicine, adjusted for your pet's activity level and life stage.
Why should I enter the kcal value from the food packaging?
Every food has a different energy content. Entering the exact kcal/100g value from your packaging makes the result more precise.
What if my pet needs to lose or gain weight?
Choose the "Weight loss" option for a mild calorie deficit. For any weight changes, we generally recommend consulting your vet.
Is the calculator free?
Yes, 100% free, no sign-up required.
Does the calculator replace veterinary advice?
No. It gives you a good general idea, but it does not replace individual feeding advice from your vet.
