🍖 Pet Food Calculator

It depends on your dog's weight, age, activity level, and whether they're neutered. Our calculator uses the NRC formula: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, then applies a multiplier based on life stage and body condition. For example, a neutered adult 25 kg dog needs roughly 1,100 kcal/day — about 3 cups of dry food. Always check the feeding guide on your specific food bag too.

An adult neutered cat needs about 1.2 × RER. For a 4 kg cat, that's roughly 230–260 kcal/day — about ⅔ cup of dry food or 1–1.5 cans of wet food. Kittens need 2–3× RER for growth. Adjust based on your cat's body condition and your vet's advice. 🐱 New cat owner? See our Complete New Cat Owner Checklist for feeding schedules, shopping lists, and more.

Both have pros and cons. Dry food is more calorie-dense (~350 kcal/cup for dogs), convenient, and good for dental health. Wet food (~250 kcal/can) provides hydration and is often more palatable. Many owners feed a mix. Our calculator shows amounts for both so you can decide. Browse dry dog food →

Adult dogs do well on 2 meals per day. Puppies under 6 months need 3–4 smaller meals. Cats typically prefer 2–3 meals per day. Free-feeding (leaving food out) works for some cats but can lead to obesity. Our calculator shows recommended meal frequency based on your pet's age.

Annual food costs vary significantly by pet size. A small dog (5–10 kg) costs about $200–400/year for dry food, while a large breed (30–40 kg) can cost $600–1,200/year. Cats are more consistent at $300–600/year. For a full budget breakdown, use our Pet Cost Calculator.