Pet Daily Calorie & Feeding Calculator
Calculate your pet's daily calorie requirements and recommended feeding amounts based on species, weight, life stage, and activity level using veterinary-standard RER and MER formulas.
Formulas Used
Step 1 – Resting Energy Requirement (RER):
RER (kcal/day) = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75
This is the metabolic scaling formula endorsed by WSAVA, NRC, and AAFCO. The exponent 0.75 reflects allometric scaling of metabolic rate across body sizes.
Step 2 – Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER):
MER (kcal/day) = RER × Life-Stage Factor × Activity Multiplier
Life-stage factors (dogs): Puppy <4 mo = 3.0 | Growing = 2.0 | Adult intact = 1.6 | Neutered = 1.4 | Senior = 1.2 | Pregnant = 3.0 | Lactating = 4.0
Life-stage factors (cats): Kitten <4 mo = 2.5 | Growing = 1.8 | Adult intact = 1.4 | Neutered = 1.2 | Senior = 1.1 | Pregnant = 2.0 | Lactating = 3.0
Activity multipliers (applied to adult/neutered/senior only): Sedentary = 0.8 | Low = 0.9 | Moderate = 1.0 | High = 1.25 | Working = 1.7
Step 3 – Daily Feeding Amount (optional):
Daily Amount = MER ÷ Food Caloric Density (kcal/cup or kcal/100g)
Assumptions & References
- RER formula (70 × BW0.75) is the standard veterinary metabolic scaling equation per NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006) and WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines.
- Life-stage and activity factors are derived from AAFCO, WSAVA, and the Waltham Pocket Book of Essential Nutrition for Cats and Dogs.
- Activity multipliers are only applied to adult, neutered, and senior life stages; reproductive and growth stages have fixed elevated factors.
- Pregnant factor applies to the last third of gestation; lactating factor represents peak lactation (3–4 weeks post-partum).
- Food caloric density varies widely by brand and formulation; check the product label (guaranteed analysis or "as fed" kcal/cup).
- These calculations are estimates. Individual pets may require ±20% adjustment based on body condition score (BCS), health status, and veterinary assessment.
- Always consult a licensed veterinarian for pets with medical conditions, obesity, or unusual weight.