From food label
to daily bowl.

A feeding estimate is useful when you understand what goes into it — and what to do next.

Start with the food in your cupboard

Look for the calorie statement. Dry food often lists kcal per cup; wet food may list kcal per can, per kilogram or per 100 grams. Match the calculator’s units before entering a value.

For example, a 100-gram pouch with 90 kcal is 90 kcal per 100 grams. A 200-gram can with 180 kcal is also 90 kcal per 100 grams. If the label gives kcal per kilogram, divide by 10 to get kcal per 100 grams.

One budget, two foods

Say your pet’s daily estimate is 300 kcal. A 50/50 split means 150 kcal from dry food and 150 kcal from wet food. With dry food at 400 kcal per cup, that is 0.375 cups. With wet food at 100 kcal per 100 grams, that is 150 grams. These are daily totals to divide among meals.

Do not serve the full dry-only allowance plus the full wet-only allowance. Remember that treats and other extras also contribute calories.

Measure what you serve

The calculator reports dry food in cups because that is the label value you enter. It does not assume that every cup weighs the same. To convert to grams, multiply the cup result by your food’s labelled grams per cup, or weigh one measured cup yourself.

Water includes the food, too

The water figure uses approximately one millilitre per daily kilocalorie as a broad total-water estimate. Wet food contributes moisture. It is not a prescribed amount to pour into the bowl, and it must never be used to restrict drinking. Heat, exercise and health can change water needs.

The calculation, explained

We estimate resting energy needs as 70 × weight in kilograms raised to 0.75, then apply a life-stage factor. Typical adult factors are 1.2 for neutered cats, 1.4 for intact cats, 1.6 for neutered dogs and 1.8 for intact dogs. The lower-activity option uses 1.0 for adult cats and 1.4 for adult dogs. Growing kittens use 2.5; puppies under four months use 3.0 and older growing puppies use 2.0.

Source: Merck Veterinary Manual energy requirements table. Growth duration varies by breed; ask your vet when to switch a growing dog to an adult plan.

The formula and water estimate are based on Merck’s nutritional requirements reference. Actual needs can differ substantially. This website has not been independently reviewed by a veterinarian.

When the calculator steps aside

Weight-loss or weight-gain goals, medical needs, pregnancy, nursing and very active working animals call for individual advice. Selecting these options hides portion estimates and directs you to your veterinarian rather than applying an arbitrary adjustment.

Frequently asked