Dog Calorie & RER Calculator
Enter your dog's weight and life stage to instantly calculate resting energy requirement (RER) and recommended daily calorie intake.
Dog Details
MER factor: 1.6× RER
Results
Enter weight and life stage, then click Calculate.
Resting Energy Requirement (RER)
— kcal / day
Formula: 70 × (weight in kg)0.75
Daily Calorie Target (MER)
— kcal / day
RER × — (life-stage factor)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight used | — |
| Life stage | — |
| MER factor | — |
| Meals / day (split equally) | — |
These values are estimates. Adjust based on body condition score (BCS) over 2–4 weeks. Consult your veterinarian for weight-loss or therapeutic diets.
Summary
Enter your dog's weight and life stage to instantly calculate resting energy requirement (RER) and recommended daily calorie intake.
How it works
- Enter your dog's body weight in kilograms or pounds.
- Select the unit (kg or lbs) — the calculator converts automatically.
- Choose the life stage that best describes your dog.
- Read the RER (kcal/day) — the baseline metabolic calorie need.
- Read the daily calorie target — RER multiplied by the life-stage factor.
- Divide daily kcal by the kcal density on your food bag to find the amount to feed.
Use cases
- Estimate how many calories an adult dog needs to maintain healthy weight.
- Adjust feeding amounts after a dog is spayed or neutered.
- Plan calorie intake for a puppy during rapid growth.
- Support veterinary weight-loss programs with accurate target kcal.
- Compare calorie needs before and after a life-stage change.
- Cross-check feeding recommendations on commercial pet food labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 2026-07-22 ·
Reviewed by Nham Vu