Calorie & Feeding Calculator
Dogs & Cats
What is this calculator for?
Estimates daily calorie needs and a starting feeding amount in g/day for dogs and cats using manufacturer food energy or Guaranteed Analysis.
Patient energy method: Using AAHA 2021 as the primary clinical framework, with FEDIAF 2025, Merck and WSAVA as supporting references, RER (resting energy requirement) = 70 × body weight (kg)0.75. Routine MER estimates apply the selected species and life-stage factor or published factor range directly. Lactating patients use the existing species-specific equation with litter size and lactation week.
Biological variability: Published guidance notes that maintenance needs may vary by approximately ±30% in dogs and ±50% in cats. This variability is for monitoring and adjustment—not an extra range applied to the calculator result.
Guaranteed Analysis method: Food energy is estimated with the AAFCO Modified Atwater formula: ME (kcal/kg) = 10 × [(3.5 × protein) + (8.5 × fat) + (3.5 × NFE)]. NFE is calculated carbohydrate.
Patient information
Start with body weight and species, then choose the applicable life-stage details.
Enter a valid current body weight to calculate kcal/day.
Food energy information
Use a manufacturer value when available, or estimate energy from Guaranteed Analysis.
Estimated feeding amount
Calculated only when valid patient and food-energy information are available.
Enter a valid body weight and food-energy information to calculate g/day.