How Many Calories Should My Dog Eat? Complete Guide for Puppies, Adults, and Seniors

Published: 23 Apr 2025

How Many Calories Should My Dog Eat?

Generally, adult dogs need around 25 to 30 calories per pound of their ideal body weight per day to maintain a healthy weight. Puppies require significantly more, often twice as many calories per pound as adults, while senior dogs may need fewer, typically 20 to 30 calories per pound, depending on their activity level and health.

Daily Calorie Intake Chart for Dogs By Weight, Age, and Activity Level

Dog’s Weight (lbs)	Puppy (0–4 months)	Puppy (4–12 months)	Adult (1–6 years, Neutered)	Adult Active (1–6 years)	Senior (7+ years)
5 lbs	390 kcal	260 kcal	210 kcal	280 kcal	170 kcal
10 lbs	660 kcal	440 kcal	360 kcal	470 kcal	300 kcal
15 lbs	890 kcal	590 kcal	480 kcal	630 kcal	400 kcal
20 lbs	1100 kcal	730 kcal	600 kcal	780 kcal	500 kcal
25 lbs	1290 kcal	860 kcal	710 kcal	930 kcal	590 kcal
30 lbs	1470 kcal	980 kcal	820 kcal	1070 kcal	680 kcal
40 lbs	1800 kcal	1200 kcal	1000 kcal	1300 kcal	830 kcal
50 lbs	2100 kcal	1400 kcal	1160 kcal	1510 kcal	970 kcal
60 lbs	2400 kcal	1600 kcal	1320 kcal	1710 kcal	1100 kcal
70 lbs	2700 kcal	1800 kcal	1480 kcal	1910 kcal	1240 kcal
80 lbs	2950 kcal	1970 kcal	1620 kcal	2100 kcal	1350 kcal
90 lbs	3200 kcal	2140 kcal	1750 kcal	2270 kcal	1460 kcal
100 lbs	3450 kcal	2300 kcal	1880 kcal	2440 kcal	1570 kcal

Disclaimer: The information in the table above offers a general estimate of daily calorie needs based on average dogs. Individual calorie requirements can vary significantly depending on breed, metabolism, activity level, health status, age (within puppy and senior ranges), spay/neuter status, and environmental factors. Therefore, DO NOT rely solely on this table to determine your dog’s exact caloric intake. The best way to determine your dog’s precise daily calorie needs is to consult with your veterinarian.

Download Calorie Chart for Dogs

For a more personalised estimate, use our free dog calorie calculator below:

Your results:

Target calorie intake per day:

PRO | Cloud | By BLV

Our easy-to-use dog calorie calculator takes into account your dog’s weight, age, activity level, and spay/neuter status to provide a personalised estimate of their daily calorie needs.

Factors Affecting Calorie Needs of a Dog

Several elements contribute to how many calories your dog burns and needs to consume daily:

Age/Life Stage: Calorie needs fluctuate dramatically throughout a dog’s life. Growing puppies require more energy per pound than adults, while senior dogs often need fewer calories as their metabolism slows down.
Weight: Calorie needs are often estimated based on your dog’s ideal body weight. A heavier dog means higher calorie needs.
Activity Level: A highly active dog burning energy on long walks, runs, and playtime will need considerably more calories than a less active couch potato.
Breed Size & Metabolism: Different breeds have varying metabolic rates. Smaller breeds tend to have faster metabolisms than larger breeds, although this can vary individually. Giant breeds have unique growth considerations as puppies.
Individual Metabolism: Like humans, dogs have a slightly different metabolic rate. Some naturally burn calories faster or slower than others.
Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered or spayed dogs often have lower metabolic rates and may require fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight.
Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes, heart conditions) can significantly impact a dog’s dietary needs and calorie management.

What is the Formula for Calculating a Dog’s Daily Calorie Requirement?

Veterinarians and canine nutritionists use the following two-step process:

1- Calculating Resting Energy Requirement (RER): This estimates the calories a dog needs at rest for basic bodily functions. The formula is:

RER (in kcal/day) = 70 x (Body weight in kilograms ^ 0.75)

To calculate the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) for moderately active 25-pound dog, you’ll need to follow these steps:

25 pounds / 2.2 = 11.36 kilograms
(To convert pounds to kilograms, divide your dog’s weight in pounds by 2.2)

RER (in kcal/day) = 70 x (Body weight in kilograms ^ 0.75)
RER = 70 x (11.36 ^ 0.75)
RER ≈ 432.6 kcal/day

2- Calculating Daily Energy Requirement (DER) or Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER): This takes into account the dog’s activity level and other factors by multiplying the RER by an appropriate multiplier.

DER = RER x Activity Multiplier

Common multipliers include:

Inactive: 1
Neutered Adult: 1.5
Intact Adult: 2
Weight Loss: 1
Weight Gain: 1.5 – 2 (adjust based on need)
Light Work: 2
Moderate Work: 2 – 3
Heavy Work: 4 – 6+
Puppies (< 4 months): 3
Puppies (> 4 months): 2
Gestation: 2 – 3 (increasing)
Lactation: 2 – 6+ (increasing)
Senior: 1 – 1.5
Obese-prone: 1

So the RER for a moderately active 25-lb dog was 432.6 so it total daily calorie requirement is:

DER = RER x Activity Multiplier
DER = 432.6 kcal/day x 2.0
DER = 865.2 kcal/day

These calculations are starting points. Individual needs can vary significantly. Closely monitoring your dog’s body condition and consulting with your veterinarian are crucial for fine-tuning their diet.

Navigating Calorie Needs by Life Stage: Your Comprehensive Guides

To provide you with the most accurate information, we’ve created in-depth guides tailored to each life stage:

1. Puppy Calorie Needs:

Puppies have unique nutritional demands to support their rapid growth and development. According to the National Research Council (NRC), a growing puppy may need up to twice the energy per pound of body weight compared to an adult dog of the same breed. Puppies may need 40 to 55 calories per pound of body weight daily and need to eat multiple small meals throughout the day..Breed size plays a significant role, with toy and small breed puppies having different growth patterns than large and giant breeds.

For a detailed breakdown of puppy calorie needs by breed size, age-specific charts, and guidance on feeding frequency, explore our comprehensive Puppy Calorie Requirement Guide.

2. Adult Dog Calorie Needs: Maintaining Optimal Health

Once your dog reaches adulthood, the focus shifts to maintaining a healthy weight and providing enough energy for their daily activities. Calorie needs for adult dogs are influenced by their weight, activity level, and metabolism. Genenrally they need 25 to 30 calories per pound of ideal body weight per day.

For detailed charts outlining calorie needs for various adult dog weights and activity levels, along with guidance on assessing BCS, visit our in-depth article on Adult Dog Calorie Needs.

3. Senior Dog Calorie Needs: Supporting Their Golden Years

As dogs enter their senior years, their metabolism often slows down, and their activity levels may decrease. This typically means they require fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight.Generally, healthy senior dogs often need 20 to 30 calories per pound of their ideal body weight per day, but this can fluctuate based on their specific health and activity.

To understand the specific calorie needs of senior dogs, including detailed charts and advice on monitoring their health and making dietary adjustments, read our comprehensive guide Senior Dog Calorie Needs.

Don’t Forget the Treats!

Treats contribute to your dog’s overall daily caloric intake. It’s essential to factor them in to avoid overfeeding. A general guideline is that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calories. Opt for healthy, low-calorie treats whenever possible.

The Importance of Consulting Your Veterinarian:

This guide provides general information. Your veterinarian is the best resource for determining your dog’s precise caloric needs based on their individual health, breed-specific considerations, and any underlying medical conditions. They can also help you assess your dog’s ideal body weight and monitor their progress.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if my dog is getting the right number of calories?

Watch your dog’s body condition, energy levels, and weight. If your dog is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, you may need to adjust the calorie intake. Our calorie calculator and feeding chart can guide you based on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level.

Do active dogs need more calories than regular dogs?

Yes! Active or working dogs burn more energy and often need 2 to 3 times the calories of a neutered sedentary dog.

Example: A 20-pound sedentary dog needs approximately 400-500 calories per day. A 20-pound active dog may need 600-800 calories per day.

How often should I recalculate my dog’s calorie needs?

Recheck your dog’s calorie needs every few months or when their activity level, weight, or health status changes. Puppies grow rapidly, while seniors slow down, and changes in routine, such as weather or exercise, also affect calorie burn.

Is calorie counting better than feeding by eye or cup?

Yes—feeding by calories is more accurate than using cups alone. Different foods have different calorie densities, so measuring in kcal ensures your dog gets what they actually need, not just volume.

How many calories should a dog eat if it’s overweight?

If your dog is overweight, reduce its calorie intake to help it lose weight safely. A good rule is to feed 80–90% of its maintenance calories. You can also multiply your dog’s RER (Resting Energy Requirement) by 1.0 to 1.2 instead of the usual 1.6 (for neutered adults).

Example: If your dog’s RER is 400 kcal/day, feed:
400 × 1.0 = 400 kcal/day (for weight loss)
400 × 1.2 = 480 kcal/day (if mildly overweight)

Always monitor weight weekly and talk to your vet to adjust the feeding plan safely.