Food Portion Calculator

Enter your dog's weight — or pick a breed to pre-fill its average weight — and choose a life stage. The calculator estimates daily calories from resting energy requirements (70 × body weight in kg raised to 0.75, times an activity factor), then divides by roughly 350 kcal per cup of dry food. Split the result into two meals per day.

This is a starting point: check your food bag, since kcal per cup varies by brand, and adjust portions to keep your dog at a healthy weight. Then see what it costs with the monthly dog cost calculator.

What formula does this calculator use?

Resting energy requirement — 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 — multiplied by an activity factor, divided by about 350 kcal per cup of dry food. A standard veterinary starting estimate.

Why does life stage change the result?

Puppies need more energy per kilogram for growth (a 1.5× factor); seniors need less (0.8×). Adults use the baseline.

My food bag recommends a different amount — which is right?

Follow the bag: kcal per cup varies a lot between brands. Use this tool's result as a starting point, then adjust to keep your dog at a healthy weight — and ask your vet if unsure.

How much should I feed a 70 lb dog a day?

As a worked example with this tool’s formula: 70 lb is about 32 kg; resting energy need is 70 × 32^0.75 ≈ 940 kcal, times a typical adult activity factor (~1.6) ≈ 1,500 kcal/day — roughly 4+ cups of a 350-kcal/cup food, split into two meals. Enter your dog’s exact weight and food’s kcal per cup above for your real number — the bag’s guidance wins if it differs.

What is the 90/10 rule for dog feeding?

It is a nutrition guideline: about 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from a complete, balanced diet, and at most 10% from treats and extras. It is the simplest way to keep treats from unbalancing the portions this calculator gives you. If you’re training with lots of treats, shrink meals slightly to compensate.