Pet
Pet Calorie Needs Calculator
Estimate daily calories for a dog or cat from weight and lifestyle factor.
This result is the estimated daily calorie need, in kcal/day, for the pet at the weight and lifestyle factor entered.
Formula
Daily calories equal resting energy (70 times weight to the power 0.75) multiplied by a lifestyle factor.
How it works
Resting energy scales with weight to the power 0.75, not linearly, which is why a 20 kg dog does not need twice a 10 kg dog's food. Lifestyle then scales that base up or down.
Worked example
For example, a 10 kg pet at the moderate activity factor of 1.6 has a resting energy of about 394 kcal, so the estimated daily need is about 394 × 1.6 = 630 kcal/day.
FAQs
Why the 0.75 power?
Larger animals use less energy per kilogram than small ones.
Which factor for a neutered pet?
Usually the lower indoor/neutered factor.
How often should I recalculate?
Whenever weight changes noticeably or activity changes.
General information only, not veterinary advice.
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