🐾 Pet Food Calorie Calculator
Calculate your dog or cat's daily calorie needs using the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula and life-stage multipliers recommended by veterinary nutritionists.
About Your Pet
kg
Life Stage Multiplier Reference
| Life Stage & Status | Species | MER Factor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult, Neutered | Dog | 1.6× | Most common household dog |
| Adult, Intact | Dog | 1.8× | Unneutered adult |
| Puppy (<4 months) | Dog | 3.0× | Very high growth energy |
| Senior | Dog | 1.4× | Reduced metabolic rate |
| Active / Working | Dog | 2.0–5.0× | Working and sport dogs |
| Adult, Neutered | Cat | 1.2× | Prone to obesity — monitor closely |
| Adult, Intact | Cat | 1.4× | Higher energy need than neutered |
| Kitten (<1 yr) | Cat | 2.5× | High growth requirement |
| Senior Cat | Cat | 1.1× | Often needs fewer calories |
Always consult your veterinarian. These calculations are based on established veterinary formulas (RER = 70 × BW0.75) and are a useful starting point, but every pet is different. Body condition score, health conditions, medications, breed, and individual metabolism all affect actual calorie needs. Adjust portions based on your pet's body condition — you should be able to feel (but not see) the ribs.
About Pet Calorie Calculations
The Resting Energy Requirement (RER) is the energy needed for basic body functions at rest. It is calculated as 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75. This is then multiplied by a life-stage factor to give the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER).
These formulas come from the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Global Nutrition Guidelines. Pet food labels in many countries now include a feeding guide, but these are often intentionally generous — use this calculator as a cross-check.