Dog & Cat Food Portion Calculator
Stop guessing! Calculate your pet's exact daily caloric needs (kcal/day) based on veterinary RER formulas, factoring in their age, weight, activity level, and weight goals.
Awaiting Data
Enter your pet's weight, age, and activity level to calculate their daily menu.
Target Daily Intake
per day (24 hours)
Approximate Daily Portions
*Assuming avg 350 kcal/cup
Always consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your pet's diet.
Understanding Pet Caloric Needs
Just like humans, overfeeding pets leads to obesity, which drastically reduces their lifespan and causes joint and heart issues. Conversely, underfeeding deprives them of essential nutrients. This calculator uses standard veterinary formulas to help you find the perfect balance.
The Science: RER vs. MER
- RER (Resting Energy Requirement): The basic number of calories your pet needs to maintain essential bodily functions (breathing, digestion) while at rest. Formula:
RER = 70 x (Body Weight in kg)^0.75 - MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement): Also known as DER (Daily Energy Requirement). This multiplies the RER by a specific factor based on your pet's life stage, activity level, and spayed/neutered status.
Reading Your Pet Food Label
The result provided above is in kilocalories (kcal) per day. To translate this into actual food:
- Look at the back of your pet's food bag or can.
- Find the caloric density, usually listed as "kcal/cup" or "kcal/100g".
- Divide your pet's daily calorie requirement by the kcal/cup to know exactly how many cups to feed them per day.