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Dog Food Calculator
Not sure if you're overfeeding or underfeeding your dog? Use this calculator to find out exactly how much food they need per day—based on science, not the back of the kibble bag.
Dog Details
Your Dog's Needs
How to Feed Your Dog the Right Amount
The feeding guidelines on dog food bags are wildly inaccurate. They're designed to sell more food. This calculator uses the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula vets actually use: 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, then adjusts for age, activity, and weight goals.
💡 Real Talk from Dr. Emily Parker, DVM
The Bag Lied to You: I see overweight dogs EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Why? Owners follow the feeding chart on the bag, which assumes your dog is training for a marathon. A 50-lb couch potato Lab does NOT need 4 cups of food. Start with 2.5 cups, monitor weight for 2 weeks, adjust accordingly.
The "Feel the Ribs" Test
This is the gold standard. Run your hands along your dog's ribcage:
- Ideal: You feel ribs easily with light pressure (like feeling your knuckles). There's a thin layer of fat.
- Underweight: Ribs are visible from across the room. You see hip bones.
- Overweight: You have to press hard to feel ribs. No visible waist from above.
- Obese: Can't feel ribs at all. Belly hangs down. Waddling walk.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- "Free Feeding" (leaving food out): Dogs have zero self-control. Free feeding is the #1 cause of obesity. Feed measured meals twice a day to control calories and predict bathroom breaks.
- Trusting the bag guidelines: Bag charts assume your dog is an Olympic athlete to sell more food. A 50lb couch potato Lab needs 2.5 cups, not the 4 cups the bag suggests.
- Ignoring treat calories: "He only gets a few treats!" 3 milk bones = 120 calories = 10% of daily needs. If you give treats, reduce meal portions by the same calorie amount.
- Measuring by volume, not weight: "1 cup" of one brand might be 300 calories, another is 450. When switching foods, check calories per cup or you might accidentally overfeed by 50%.
Puppy vs Adult vs Senior Needs
- Puppies (2-12 months): Need 2x the calories per pound because they're growing bones and muscles. Feed 3-4 meals/day to prevent low blood sugar.
- Adults (1-7 years): Standard calorie needs. 2 meals/day works best.
- Seniors (7+ years): Metabolism slows down. Reduce calories by 20% to prevent senior weight gain. Consider senior formula with joint support.
Activity Level Adjustments
Low Activity (couch potato): Barely walks, mostly sleeps. Multiply RER by 1.2-1.4.
Moderate Activity (typical pet): 30-60 min walking/day. Multiply RER by 1.6-1.8.
High Activity (working dog): Agility training, herding sheep, long hikes. Multiply RER by 2.0-5.0 depending on work intensity.
Dry vs Wet vs Raw Food
- Dry Kibble: 300-400 cal/cup. Cheap, convenient, helps clean teeth. Most popular choice.
- Wet/Canned: 70-100 cal per 3oz can. 75% water. Good for picky eaters or senior dogs with bad teeth. Expensive.
- Raw Food: Varies widely. Follow manufacturer guidelines. More expensive, unproven health benefits, higher food poisoning risk.
💡 Treat Rule: The 10% Limit
Treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories. For a 50-lb dog needing 1,200 calories, that's 120 calories in treats—about 3 medium milk bones. Those "grain-free" treats? Still loaded with calories. Count them.
Signs You're Feeding Wrong
Too Much: Weight gain, begging stops (they're full), soft/frequent poops, lethargy.
Too Little: Visible ribs/spine, obsessive begging, eating grass/dirt, low energy, dull coat.
Just Right: Visible waist, ribs felt easily, consistent energy, healthy coat, normal poops (firm, once or twice daily).
Reviewed by Dr. Emily Parker, DVM
Veterinarian & Canine Nutrition Specialist
Dr. Parker has treated over 10,000 dogs. Her #1 advice? Stop eyeballing portions-use a measuring cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I feed my dog per day?
It depends on weight, age, and activity. A 50-lb adult dog needs about 1,000-1,400 calories/day. That's roughly 2.5-3 cups of dry food. Puppies need 2x the calories per pound because they're growing. Use this calculator for precise numbers.
How many cups of dog food per day?
Check the back of your dog food bag for calories per cup (usually 300-400 cal/cup). Divide your dog's daily calorie needs by that number. Example: 1,200 cal needed ÷ 350 cal/cup = 3.4 cups per day, split into 2 meals.
Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?
Twice a day is better for most dogs. It prevents bloating, stabilizes blood sugar, and reduces begging. Exceptions: tiny breeds (3+ meals) and giant breeds prone to bloat (consider 3 smaller meals).
Is my dog overweight or just fluffy?
Feel their ribs. You should feel them easily with light pressure but not see them. Look from above—they should have a visible waist behind the ribs. No waist or can't feel ribs? Time to cut back portions by 10-15%.