Dog Calorie Calculator
How many calories a dog needs depends on its weight and life stage. The estimate below uses the same formula vets use — resting needs scaled by an activity factor — so it is a sound place to start portioning food.
About 794 calories (kcal) per day.
How many calories does a dog need?
Vets start from the resting energy requirement — the calories a dog burns at rest — then multiply by a factor for its life stage. The resting figure is 70 × (body weight in kg) raised to the power 0.75; the factor is 1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.8 if intact, 1.4 for a dog prone to weight gain, and 2 to 3 for a growing puppy.
Treat the number as a starting point, not a prescription: two dogs of the same weight can differ by about 30% in what they actually need. Weigh your dog every few weeks and adjust the portion if it is gaining or losing.
This is a starting estimate. A dog’s real needs can run 30% higher or lower with age, breed and activity, and a weight-loss plan should be set with a veterinarian, not guessed. It does not replace professional advice.
Verified on . Based on Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals — energy requirements of the dog (Merck Veterinary Manual, section « Energy », consultée le 2026-07-23). See the method.