Calculate daily calorie requirements for a dog or cat by weight and activity.
Energy needs scale with weight to the three-quarter power rather than linearly, so a 40 kg dog needs less than twice what a 20 kg dog does. Neutering reduces requirements noticeably, which is why post-neutering weight gain is so common. Feeding guides on packaging are generic and frequently overstate portions, so calculating from body weight and monitoring condition is more reliable.
Dog/Cat Calorie
RER = 70 × weight^0.75; daily requirement = RER × life stage multiplier
This is a general estimate. Individual requirements vary with metabolism, health conditions and medication. Consult your veterinarian before making significant dietary changes, particularly for weight loss programmes or animals with medical conditions.
RER = 70 × weight^0.75; daily requirement = RER × life stage multiplier Energy needs scale with weight to the three-quarter power rather than linearly, so a 40 kg dog needs less than twice what a 20 kg dog does. Neutering reduces requirements noticeably, which is why post-neutering weight gain is so common.
Feeding guides on packaging are generic and frequently overstate portions, so calculating from body weight and monitoring condition is more reliable.
This calculator takes 4 inputs: Body weight, Species, Life stage and activity, Food energy density. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.