Dog Food Calculator

A 15 kg adult dog has an MER of approximately 652 kcal/day. For dry food rated at 3500 kcal/kg, that works out to about 186 g per day. For wet food (800 kcal/kg), you would need around 815 g. Always verify with the feeding guide on your specific food packaging.

RER (Resting Energy Requirement) is the energy a dog needs just to stay alive at rest — calculated as 70 × weight^0.75. MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) adds the real-world activity and life-stage multiplier: 1.4 for a normal adult, 2.8 for a puppy, 1.8 for a highly active dog. MER is what you actually feed.

Puppies have a much higher energy demand due to rapid growth — the MER multiplier is 2.8, meaning they need twice as many calories as an adult dog of the same weight. Divide the daily amount into 3–4 small meals until 6 months old, then move to 2–3 meals. Always use a puppy-specific formula food.

Senior dogs (typically 7+ years for medium breeds, 5+ for large breeds) have a slower metabolism. Their MER factor is 1.2, meaning about 14% fewer calories than a standard adult. Choose a senior-formula food with adjusted protein and joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine.

Both have advantages. Dry kibble is calorie-dense, easy to store, helps dental hygiene, and is cost-effective. Wet food has higher moisture content (good for hydration), is more palatable for picky eaters, and easier to chew for seniors. Many owners successfully combine both. If mixing, calculate portions based on each food's calorie contribution.

Wet food is much less calorie-dense than dry food — typically around 800 kcal/kg (vs 3000–4000 kcal/kg for dry). The calculator uses this standard value for wet food grams. For your specific product, divide your dog's MER (kcal/day) by the food's listed kcal/kg and multiply by 1000.

Adult dogs are typically fed twice a day (morning and evening). Puppies under 3 months need 4 meals, up to 6 months need 3 meals. Senior dogs may benefit from 2–3 smaller meals to ease digestion. The total daily amount stays the same regardless of how many meals you split it into.

Yes. Highly active dogs — working breeds, sport dogs, or those doing 2+ hours of vigorous exercise daily — have an MER factor of 1.8, approximately 29% more than a standard adult. Adjust portions upward during high-activity periods and reduce during rest or recovery periods.

Neutering reduces a dog's metabolic rate, and the risk of weight gain increases significantly post-surgery. The MER factor drops to 1.2 — the same as a senior dog. It is important to reduce food portions after neutering (or switch to a neutered/light formula) and monitor body weight closely.

No. The calculator provides a scientifically-grounded estimate using standard veterinary energy formulas. However, individual dogs vary — breed, body condition score, health status, and specific food composition all affect real needs. Always consult a vet or certified veterinary nutritionist for dogs with chronic illness or unusual dietary requirements.