Find your dog's ideal daily food amount based on weight, age, and activity level
Check your dog food label for kcal/cup
Daily Calorie Needs
1,164
kcal / day
Cups per Day
3.3
cups
Grams per Day
399
grams
Meals per Day
2
(adult/senior)
Cups per Meal
1.7
cups/meal
Based on ~60 cups per 15-lb bag of dry food
Inputs
Result
A 70-lb active Labrador needs about 2,097 calories daily. RER = 70 x 31.75^0.75 = 936, then DER = 936 x 1.6 x 1.4 = 2,097 kcal, or 6.0 cups split into 2 meals.
Inputs
Result
A 15-lb senior dog with low activity needs just 283 calories. RER = 70 x 6.80^0.75 = 295, then DER = 295 x 1.2 x 0.8 = 283 kcal, about 0.8 cups per day.
Inputs
Result
Growing puppies need significantly more calories. This 30-lb puppy needs 1,736 kcal. RER = 70 x 13.61^0.75 = 496, then DER = 496 x 2.5 x 1.4 = 1,736 kcal, split across 3 meals.
The amount depends on your dog's weight, age, activity level, and food calorie density. A typical 50-pound adult dog with moderate activity needs about 1,164 calories per day, which translates to roughly 3.3 cups of standard dry food (350 kcal/cup).
Start with the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula: 70 x (body weight in kg)^0.75. Then multiply by a life-stage factor (puppy: 2.5, adult: 1.6, senior: 1.2) and adjust for activity level and body condition.
Most adult dogs should be fed twice daily, splitting their total daily amount into morning and evening meals. Puppies under one year typically need three meals per day. Consistent meal times help with digestion and house training.
Check your dog's body condition: you should be able to feel ribs without pressing hard, see a visible waist from above, and notice a tucked abdomen from the side. Weight gain, lethargy, and difficulty exercising can indicate overfeeding.
Yes, significantly. A highly active dog like a working or sporting breed may need 40-80% more calories than a sedentary dog. Low-activity dogs need fewer calories to avoid weight gain, while very active dogs need substantially more fuel.
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Last Updated: Feb 12, 2026
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