Feed with purpose, not guesswork.

Most feeding instructions printed on kibble bags are broad suggestions—not personalized guidance. They don’t account for your pet’s unique metabolism, activity level, or actual calorie needs.

That’s why I created this tool—to give pet parents a more accurate and science-based way to calculate how much dry kibble to feed their adult dog or cat. It’s simple, effective, and built on formulas used in veterinary nutrition education.

Pet’s Weight (lbs):
Use decimals for accuracy. For example, 12.5 lbs. This will calculate your pet’s Resting Energy Requirement (RER)—the number of calories needed each day at rest for basic functions like breathing, digestion, and cellular repair.

Formula used:
RER = 70 × (body weight in kilograms)^0.75
(This formula is widely used in veterinary medicine and professional nutrition programs.)

Once RER is determined, we calculate your pet’s Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER)—the estimated calories needed per day to maintain current weight, factoring in lifestyle, metabolism, and reproductive status.

MER = RER × a multiplier, based on these activity categories:

Life Stage or ConditionMultiplier (× RER)Neutered Adult1.6Intact Adult1.8Inactive or Obese-Prone1.2Active or Working Dog2.0–5.0Puppy (0–4 months)3.0Puppy (4–12 months)2.0 

Choose the category that best fits your pet. If unsure, start with “Neutered Adult” and adjust based on results.

This calculator is designed exclusively for dry kibble. It is not intended for raw, canned, freeze-dried, or home-cooked diets, which differ in moisture content and calorie density.

Most kibble bags list calorie content as “kcal per cup.” For dry foods, this usually ranges from 350 to 450 kcal per cup.

If your bag lists kcal per kilogram, divide that number by 1,000.
Example: 4,078 kcal/kg = 4.078 kcal/g

Knowing the kcal per gram allows for more accurate feeding by weight—especially helpful for small pets or weight-sensitive plans.

If you can’t find this information, stop by Purrs McBarkin’—I’ll help you track it down.

Once the calculator has your pet’s weight, activity level, and food calorie density, it will show:

• Total calories needed per day (MER)
   
• How many cups, grams, or ounces of kibble to feed daily
   

The formulas behind this tool are the same used by veterinary professionals and nutritionists. This isn’t a guess—it’s a science-based approach to feeding.

Calories from treats, chews, supplements all contribute to your pet’s daily intake. Even healthy extras can add up quickly and throw off an otherwise balanced plan.

General rule:
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories.
So if your dog needs 600 kcal/day, aim to keep treats under 60 kcal.

This calculator is meant for:

• Healthy adult dogs and cats
   
• Feeding dry kibble only
   
• Normal activity levels
   

It is not intended for pets who are:

• Eating raw, canned, freeze-dried, or cooked diets
   
• Underweight, overweight, or on a weight loss plan
   
• Managing medical conditions (e.g., pancreatitis, diabetes, kidney disease)
   
• Puppies or kittens with special growth needs
   

If your pet falls into any of those categories, reach out—I can help you get accurate feeding support.

This calculator is built on core veterinary nutrition formulas, including:

• Resting Energy Requirement (RER)
   
• Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) using standardized multipliers
   

These equations are taught in veterinary programs and professional certification courses—including the one I completed through the University of Southern Illinois. The math may look simple, but it reflects real science about how animals use energy at rest and during daily life.

It’s not a rough estimate—it’s the foundation of precision feeding.

This tool was created by Purrs McBarkin’, LLC, a proudly independent pet store in Hartsville, South Carolina, owned and operated by Dave Zanoni, Certified Canine & Feline Nutritionist. It’s part of a larger mission to offer honest, science-backed nutritional guidance—not marketing spin.

If you have questions, need help decoding your food label, or just want to talk about your pet’s diet, stop in or get in touch. I’m here to help.

This calorie calculator and all related content are the exclusive property of Purrs McBarkin’, LLC. It was created to support pet parents seeking better, science-based feeding guidance.

All rights reserved.
Reproduction, redistribution, modification, or use for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without written permission.

© 2025 Purrs McBarkin’, LLC. All rights reserved.