Enter your dog’s weight, activity level, and life stage to calculate daily calories, cups of kibble, grams of food, and recommended meals per day.
| Weight | Calories | Cups | Grams |
|---|
Feeding your dog the right amount is one of the most important things you can do for their health. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of obesity in dogs, which shortens lifespan by 1-2 years. Underfeeding causes malnutrition and weakness. This guide explains the science of canine nutrition and how to feed correctly.
| Activity | Factor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sedentary | 1.2x | Indoor, minimal walks |
| Moderate | 1.4x | 30-60 min daily walks |
| Active | 1.6x | Running, hiking, play |
| Very Active | 1.8x | Agility, sport, fetch |
| Working | 2.0x | Herding, K9, sled dog |
Scenario 1: Average Adult Dog. James has a 20 kg Beagle, moderate activity, adult. Daily need: 870 kcal. That is 2.5 cups kibble split into 2 meals (1.25 cups morning and evening). His kibble is 380 kcal/cup, so he adjusts to 2.3 cups. He weighs monthly and the Beagle maintains 20 kg.
Scenario 2: Growing Puppy. Maria’s 8 kg, 4-month-old Lab puppy needs 920 kcal (puppy factor 2x). That is 2.6 cups split into 3 meals. More calories per kg than an adult because of growth demands. She uses large breed puppy food with controlled calcium. Use our Puppy Growth Calculator to track weight.
Scenario 3: Overweight Dog. David’s 35 kg Lab should be 30 kg. He feeds for 30 kg at moderate activity: 1,070 kcal (not 1,200 for 35 kg). Combined with daily walks, the Lab loses 0.5 kg/month safely. Target: reach 30 kg in 10 months.
Scenario 4: Nursing Mother. Priya’s 25 kg dog is nursing 6 puppies. Lactation factor 2.5x. Daily need: 2,450 kcal — 7 cups kibble per day. She feeds 4 meals/day and keeps fresh water available at all times. Use our Dog Pregnancy Calculator for timeline.
💡 Key insight: 56% of dogs in developed countries are overweight. The primary cause is not lack of exercise — it is too much food and too many treats. A single dental chew (80 kcal) for a small dog is equivalent to a human eating a cheeseburger. Track total daily calories including treats.
| Avg kibble | 350 kcal/cup |
| Avg wet food | 250 kcal/can |
| Treats limit | <10% of cal |
| Puppy meals | 3x/day |
| Adult meals | 2x/day |