How the food portion calculator works
Resting energy, then a life-stage multiplier
Veterinary nutrition starts from the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) — the calories a pet burns at complete rest:
RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75
RER is then multiplied by a factor reflecting life stage and activity — 1.6 for a typical neutered adult dog, 1.2 for an adult cat, 3.0 for a young puppy, and so on. The result is the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER): a starting estimate of calories per day.
From calories to cups
Your pet food's label states its energy density — e.g. "3,800 kcal/kg" or "350 kcal/cup". Divide your daily target by that number to get a daily portion, then split it across meals. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories; count them in.
It's a starting point, not a prescription
Individual metabolism varies by ±20%. Weigh your pet every 2–3 weeks: gaining unintentionally? Cut back 10%. Losing weight unintentionally? Increase 10%. Puppies, seniors, and pets with medical conditions need professional guidance — this calculator is the floor of that conversation, not the ceiling.