PetGrit

Dog & Cat Feeding Calculator

How much you should feed comes down to calories, not the bag’s one-size guess. Enter your pet’s weight and a few details and we’ll calculate their daily calorie target with the same RER/MER formula vets use — then turn it into cups once you add your food’s calorie density.

Pet

Daily calorie target

— kcal / day

How to use it

  1. 1 Pick dog or cat and enter your pet’s current weight.
  2. 2 Choose the life stage / goal that fits (puppy, neutered adult, weight loss, etc.).
  3. 3 Read the daily calorie target. Optionally enter your food’s kcal-per-cup to get cups per day.
  4. 4 Split the daily amount across meals — two for adults, three to four for puppies and kittens.

Why this matters

Most pet-food packaging gives a single feeding range for a huge weight band, which is how so many pets quietly drift overweight. A calorie target based on your pet’s actual weight and life stage is far more accurate — and it’s the same math your vet starts from: Resting Energy (RER = 70 × kg^0.75) multiplied by a life-stage factor to get Maintenance Energy (MER).

Frequently asked questions

How many calories does my dog or cat need per day?

Start from Resting Energy Requirement, RER = 70 × (body-weight-in-kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor — about 1.6 for a neutered adult dog, 1.2 for a neutered adult cat, 2.0–3.0 for puppies, and 1.0 or less for weight loss. The calculator does this for you.

How do I turn calories into cups?

Divide the daily calorie target by your food’s calories per cup (the kcal/cup figure is on the bag or the maker’s site — often 350–450 for dry dog food). Enter that number and the tool shows cups per day.

How many times a day should I feed?

Most adult dogs and cats do well on two meals a day; puppies and kittens need three to four smaller meals. Split the daily amount evenly across meals rather than free-feeding.

Is this a replacement for my vet’s advice?

No. It’s an accurate starting estimate for a healthy pet. Pets with medical conditions, pregnancy, or a weight-management plan need a target set by their veterinarian.

Keep going

Dog & Cat Ideal Weight Checker Estimate ideal weight from the vet’s 9-point body condition score. Dog & Cat Water Intake Calculator Daily water target in cups, ounces, and ml — from your pet’s weight. Puppy Adult Weight Predictor Estimate your puppy’s adult weight from current weight and age.