Dog Feeding Calculator

Dog Feeding Calculator – How Much Should You Feed Your Dog Each Day?

Feeding your dog the right amount is one of the single most important things you can do for their long-term health and wellbeing. Overfeeding leads to gradual weight gain that strains joints, stresses the heart and lungs, and can significantly shorten a dog's lifespan. Underfeeding causes nutritional deficiency, low energy, and poor coat condition, particularly in growing puppies or working breeds with high caloric demands. The challenge is that the feeding guidelines printed on a bag of dog food are typically based on an average adult dog at average activity — and your dog is not average. This free dog feeding calculator takes your dog's actual weight, age, activity level, and food type into account to generate a personalised daily feeding recommendation.

Why Feeding Amount Varies Between Dogs

Every dog is genuinely different, and the right portion for one dog can be too much or too little for another of the same breed and weight. Key factors include:

• Life stage — Puppies need more calories per kilogram of body weight than adult dogs because they are growing rapidly. Most puppies eat 3–4 meals a day until around six months, then transition to twice daily.
• Activity level — A border collie working on a farm burns dramatically more calories than the same dog living as a sedentary house pet. Activity is one of the biggest drivers of caloric need.
• Neutered or intact — Neutered dogs typically need around 15–20% fewer calories than intact dogs of the same weight and activity level due to reduced metabolic rate.
• Senior dogs — Older dogs are generally less active and have slower metabolisms. Many need smaller portions, though some senior dogs with health conditions actually need more.
• Breed size — Giant breeds have different metabolic rates and nutritional needs compared to toy breeds, even when adjusted for weight.

How to Use the Dog Feeding Calculator

1. Enter your dog's current weight in kilograms.
2. Select their life stage: puppy, adult, or senior.
3. Choose their typical activity level: low, moderate, or high.
4. Enter the caloric content of your dog's food (kcal per 100g or per cup, printed on the packaging).
5. The calculator returns a recommended daily portion in grams and a suggested number of meals per day.

Understanding Dog Food Types and Calorie Density

The type of food you feed dramatically affects how much to serve, because different foods have very different caloric densities:

• Dry kibble is energy-dense, typically 300–420 kcal per 100g. Portions appear small but deliver a lot of nutrition. Kibble also supports dental hygiene through its abrasive texture.
• Wet food has much higher moisture content (often 70–80% water), making it far less calorie-dense — usually 80–120 kcal per 100g. Portions are much larger by weight to deliver the same caloric value as a much smaller kibble portion.
• Raw feeding (BARF or PMR) is typically calculated as a percentage of body weight: 2–3% per day for adult dogs, 5–7% for puppies, adjusted based on condition. Raw feeding bypasses the kcal calculation entirely.

Signs You Are Feeding the Right Amount

No calculator replaces a physical assessment of your dog's body condition. Use these practical checks alongside the calculator:

• You should be able to feel your dog's ribs easily by running your hands along their sides without pressing hard, but the ribs should not be clearly visible from a distance.
• When viewed from above, there should be a noticeable waist behind the ribcage.
• Viewed from the side, the belly should tuck up slightly from the chest rather than hanging level or dropping.
• Your dog should have good, consistent energy levels — not lethargic and not hyperactive from hunger.

How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?

Most adult dogs do well on two meals a day — morning and evening. Some dogs with specific health conditions (like giant breeds prone to bloat) may be better served by three smaller meals. Puppies need more frequent feeding: three to four meals a day up to about six months of age, then transitioning to twice daily. Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) is generally not recommended as it makes portion control and monitoring appetite changes difficult.

Use this calculator as a starting point, monitor your dog's weight and body condition over four to six weeks, and adjust portion sizes up or down by 5–10% based on what you observe. If your dog needs to gain or lose significant weight, a conversation with your vet will give you the most tailored guidance.