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PawScales

Dog Food Calculator

A healthy 44 lb (20 kg) neutered adult dog needs about 1,059 kcal a day, or roughly 2.8 cups of a 380-kcal-per-cup food. Enter your dog's weight, life stage and the calories on the bag to get cups per day, using the vet formula RER = 70 × kg^0.75.

By Sikander Malik · Updated October 10, 2026 · Sources

lb

Life stage / activity

kcal/cup

On the bag as kcal/cup or ME. Default 380.

Feed about

2.79cups/day

That's 1059 kcal a day, split into 1.4 cups twice daily.

Resting energy (RER)662 kcal
Daily energy (MER)1059 kcal
Treats budget (10%)106 kcal
3 meals a day0.93 cups each
Show the math
RER = 70 × kg^0.75; MER = factor × RER; cups = MER ÷ kcal per cup.
1059 kcal ÷ 380 kcal/cup = 2.79 cups.

Estimates only, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your pet’s health.

How to use it

  1. Enter your dog's weight and switch between pounds and kilograms.
  2. Pick the life stage or activity that fits: neutered, intact, prone to weight gain, on a diet, or growing.
  3. Enter the food's calories per cup (on the bag as kcal/cup or ME). The default is 380.
  4. Read the daily calories and cups, then split them across two or three meals.
A full bowl of dog food on a wooden floor

Photo: MART PRODUCTION / Pexels

The formula, with two examples

We use the Pet Nutrition Alliance method. First the resting energy requirement: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75. Then daily calories (MER) = a life-stage factor × RER. A neutered adult factor is 1.6; an intact adult is 1.8. Cups per day = daily calories ÷ calories per cup.

Example 1. A 20 kg (44.1 lb) neutered adult: RER = 70 × 20^0.75 = 662 kcal. MER = 1.6 × 662 = 1,059 kcal. At 380 kcal/cup that is 2.79 cups a day.

Example 2. A 40 lb (18.14 kg) intact adult: RER = 615 kcal, MER = 1.8 × 615 = 1,108 kcal. At 350 kcal/cup that is 3.16 cups a day.

What this calculator doesn’t cover

  • Medical or prescription diets.
  • Pregnant or nursing dogs beyond the range shown.
  • Dogs that are sick or recovering.
  • Full weight-loss plans. For those, see the AAHA weight management guidelines and your vet.

See your vet if

  • Your dog is losing or gaining weight on the amount shown.
  • You can't easily feel the ribs, or the waist has disappeared.
  • Your dog is pregnant, nursing, very young, or has a health condition.

Tips

  • Weigh the food instead of scooping. A "cup" of kibble varies a lot by shape and size.
  • The bag’s guide is usually generous. Start with the calculated amount and adjust to keep a visible waist and easy-to-feel ribs.
  • Count treats. They should be no more than 10% of daily calories.
  • Re-check the amount after any weight change, and when switching foods with a different calorie density.

Questions owners ask

How many cups of food should my dog eat a day?
It depends on weight, life stage and the food. A 20 kg (44 lb) neutered adult on a 380-kcal-per-cup food needs about 2.8 cups a day. A smaller 10 kg dog needs roughly 1.6 cups, a larger 30 kg dog about 3.8 cups. Always match the number to the calories printed on your bag.
How much should a puppy eat?
Puppies need about 2 to 3 times their resting energy, with the highest amount under 4 months. We use 3× RER under 4 months and 2× from 4 months to adult. Feed puppies 3 to 4 smaller meals a day, and weigh them weekly so you can adjust as they grow.
Why does the bag say a different amount?
Bag charts are built around broad weight bands and often assume an active, intact dog, so they tend to read high. This tool uses your dog’s exact weight, neuter status and the food’s real calories. Treat either number as a starting point and adjust to body condition.
How many calories does a dog need?
A resting dog needs RER = 70 × kg^0.75 kcal. Most pet dogs need 1.2 to 1.8 times that once activity is included. A 20 kg neutered adult lands near 1,059 kcal a day. Individual needs vary by up to 50%, so use the number as a start and watch body condition.
How do I know if I’m overfeeding?
Check body condition, not the bowl. You should feel the ribs easily with light pressure and see a waist from above. If the ribs are hard to find or the back is broadening, cut the daily amount by about 10% and recheck in a few weeks.
Should I feed once or twice a day?
Twice a day suits most adult dogs and keeps hunger steady. Puppies do better on 3 to 4 meals. Once-a-day feeding is linked to a higher bloat risk in large deep-chested breeds, so splitting meals is the safer default.
How many treats are OK?
Keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories. For a dog eating 1,000 kcal a day that is about 100 kcal of treats. Subtract treat calories from meals so the daily total stays the same, and use part of the kibble ration for training.

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Sources

Estimates only, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your pet’s health.