Daily calorie calculator
A quick, honest estimate of how much energy your dog needs in a day, then match the food to the number. Free, no account needed.
Age
Estimated daily need
Enter your dog's weight to see an estimated daily calorie target.
This is an estimate, not veterinary advice. For health conditions, weight-loss plans, puppies or pregnancy, speak to your vet.
How this is worked out
We start with your dog's resting energy requirement (RER), the calories needed just to tick over at rest:
RER = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75
That's then multiplied by an activity factor for life stage and how active your dog is. A puppy or working dog needs far more than a steady adult:
Daily need = RER × activity factor
It's the same approach vets use. Treat the result as a starting point and feed to body condition rather than to the gram. For puppies, pregnancy, weight-loss plans or health conditions, your vet may advise a different target.
Common questions
How accurate is this estimate?
It's a sensible starting point, not a prescription. The formula is the standard vets use, but every dog burns energy differently. Weigh your dog every few weeks and adjust the portion to body condition.
Does this include treats?
No. The number is the whole day's energy. Treats and chews come out of that total, so as a rule of thumb, keep them under about 10% of daily calories.
How do I turn calories into a portion?
Check the kcal per 100g on the food (or per scoop for dry food) and divide. Many of the foods we review list this, and the Food Finder also factors energy density into its matches.
My dog is gaining or losing weight. What then?
Adjust gradually. If they're gaining, drop the daily amount by around 10% and review in a fortnight. Persistent changes are worth a chat with your vet.
Now match the food to the number.
The Food Finder turns your dog's details into a shortlist ranked by fit, with energy density included.
