1,250calories a day
Resting need 781 × factor 1.6
Treats and extras: up to 130 of those calories.
Compare what each food costs
Type in what each food costs per day. The table fills in the month and the year.
| Food | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | ||
| – | – | ||
| – | – |
How this calculator works
The calculator starts with the resting energy requirement: RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75, in kcal per day. It multiplies RER by a life-stage factor published by Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center, the Merck Veterinary Manual and AAHA. The result is a starting point. Ohio State notes that individual needs can vary by as much as 50% from the calculated value. Adjust with your veterinarian, using body weight and body condition score.
- Basic Calorie Calculator for Dogs and Cats (Companion Animal Nutrition Support Service) – The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center
- Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals – Merck Veterinary Manual
- Energy Requirement Calculations (Box 1), 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines – American Animal Hospital Association
- 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats – American Animal Hospital Association
- Calorie Ranges for an Average Healthy Adult Dog in Ideal Body Condition – World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Questions
How do I use the cost table?
Type the price per day that each fresh food company quoted you, or the daily cost of your current food. The table turns each one into a monthly and yearly figure so you can compare them side by side.
How do I figure out the daily cost of kibble?
Divide the bag price by the number of days the bag lasts. The feeding guide on the bag gives cups per day for your dog's weight.