Dog Calorie Calculator (RER and DER)
Calculate Resting Energy Requirement (RER) and Daily Energy Requirement (DER) for a dog. RER is the calories needed at rest in a thermoneutral environment; DER adjusts for activity, life stage, and reproductive status.
Species
Body weight
Life stage / activity
Want to keep this result? We’ll email it to you with your inputs.
For trained veterinary professionals. Check every result against current drug labels, your formulary, and the patient before acting on it. This tool is not veterinary advice. Clinical disclaimer
How to use this tool
The formulas
RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75 - the metabolic-weight calculation. Works for dogs between 2 and 45 kg. For very small or very large dogs you can use the linear approximation RER = (30 × kg) + 70.
DER = RER × life-stage factor. Typical factors for dogs:
- Adult, neutered: 1.6
- Adult, intact: 1.8
- Weight loss target: 1.0 × RER for ideal body weight
- Weight gain target: 1.7-2.0 × RER
- Puppy under 4 months: 3.0
- Puppy 4 months-adult: 2.0
How to apply it
Convert the DER to grams of food using the kcal density listed on the diet's label (most labels list kcal/cup or kcal/can). For weight loss, target the ideal body weight, not the current weight, and recheck every 2-4 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How is a dog's daily calorie need calculated?
RER (Resting Energy Requirement) = 70 × body weight (kg)^0.75. DER = RER × a life-stage/activity factor - commonly 1.6 for a neutered adult, 1.8 for an intact adult, 3.0 for a puppy under 4 months.
Why is my dog gaining weight on the bag's feeding guide?
Bag feeding charts assume an average, active, intact dog and typically overestimate. The calculated DER for your dog's actual weight and life stage is usually more accurate.