Dog calorie calculator
Enter your dog's weight and how active they are to get a daily calorie estimate. It takes about ten seconds and gives you a number to sanity-check the feeding guide on the back of the bag against.
This is an estimate based on resting energy needs multiplied by an activity factor. Real requirements vary with breed, neutering, body condition and health. Treat it as a starting point, weigh your dog regularly, and check with your vet before making a big change.
How the estimate is worked out
It starts with resting energy requirement, the calories a dog burns doing nothing at all. That is calculated as 70 multiplied by their weight in kilograms to the power of 0.75. The curve matters: energy needs do not rise in a straight line with weight, which is why a 40kg dog does not need twice what a 20kg dog needs.
That figure is then multiplied by an activity factor, from 1.2 for a dog who mostly sits about to 1.8 for one getting substantial daily exercise. The result is a maintenance estimate: roughly what it takes to keep your dog at the weight they are now.
What it does not account for
Quite a lot, which is why it is a starting point rather than an answer. Neutered dogs typically need around 20 to 30 percent fewer calories than intact ones. Breed changes things, and so does coat, climate and whether your dog spends winter outdoors. Any ongoing health condition can change the picture entirely.
Treats count too, and they are where most overfeeding quietly happens. As a rule of thumb, treats should be no more than about a tenth of daily intake, with the rest coming from balanced food. If you are training heavily, take the treat calories out of meals rather than adding them on top.
Use body condition, not just the number
The scales tell you less than your hands do. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs easily under a thin layer of fat without pressing, see a waist from above, and see the belly tuck up from the side. If you cannot feel ribs without pushing, they are carrying too much regardless of what any calculator says.
Weigh monthly, adjust in small steps of around ten percent, and give any change a few weeks before judging it. If your dog needs to lose weight, do it slowly and with your vet involved, because rapid loss causes its own problems.