Divide the first number by the second and multiply by 1,000 to get the daily serving in grams.

Locate the caloric value of the food in calories per kilo.

Calculate the daily caloric value for your dog's weight and life stage.

If you prefer a more precise method, you can go about calculations another way:

Divide the first number by the second, and you get the number of cups you need to feed your pooch.

Locate the caloric value of the food on the back of the bag (calories per an 8-oz cup).

Calculate the daily caloric requirements of your dog using our calculator.

Here's a quick algorithm for using the numbers you get: You can follow the dog feeding guideline on the back of the bag or use our dog food amount calculator to determine the right number of calories, grams, or cups. If you're unsure whether your pup is an adult, consult the vet and ask about the appropriate time to make the switch and alter the daily portion size. Medium breeds can take up to 15 months to mature, while giant breeds leave childhood behind after 18 months. So a 12-month mark is a time you want to start switching to adult food and follow the new dog feeding chart. For instance, the toy and small breeds can be called adult within a year of birth. Different breeds are considered mature at different ages. If you time the feeding and walk regime right, you won't have any unfortunate accidents.įirst, let's make sure we are on the same page concerning the difference between puppies and adult dogs. Besides, regular mealtimes make house training much easier, as most puppies need a walk within 15 minutes of eating. Even changing the dog food brand or recipes will go much smoother if you use a feeding schedule. Sticking to a schedule builds strong habits in young canines that will help them go through changes in the household without undue stress. Younger puppies may need up to six feedings a day (every 4 hours).ĭo you have to stick to the puppy feeding schedule? Most vets recommend it while they frown upon free-choice feeding. Divide this amount into three or four servings and feed them to your pup at even intervals throughout the day (every eighth to six hours). With the number of calories you see, divide the number by your preferred kibble's caloric value to learn how many cups per day to feed. For puppies under four months, the multiplication factor is 3, while older puppies can deal with the factor of 2. To make a better estimate, use our dog feeding calculator that relies on a vet-approved formula to determine the resting energy requirements (RER) based on your pup's weight and accommodates for heightened needs by using the age factor. However, those feeding guides can be too ambiguous and result in under or overfeeding. If you pick up a bag of quality kibble, it will come with a puppy feeding chart with recommended daily servings. It's designed to support steady growth and healthy development of all tissues and organs. For these reasons, puppy kibble and canned food are always calorie-dense and rich in protein and fat. Like small children, puppies require more calories because their bodies go through significant changes, gaining weight, growing bones, and developing muscles. And whenever you adopt a puppy, you should be aware that his nutritional needs will differ from an adult rescue dog you picked up from the shelter. On the flip side, if your dog is your daily running companion, make sure you're feeding them enough to keep up their energy for an active lifestyle.Age is one of the crucial factors deciding the feeding guidelines for dogs. If a dog doesn't spend a lot of time exercising, you don't want to overfeed for that lifestyle as they will become overweight. A puppy will require more calories than a senior dog, and a 5-pound Chihuahua will need far fewer calories per day than a 120-pound Great Dane.

Feed your dog based on their own individual needs.Fat has twice the energy of protein and carbohydrates. Dogs need more focus on lean protein and healthy fats for higher energy density.

Select a diet that contains less than 20 percent starchy carbs.Feeding an excess amount of treats or extra oils/fats also contributes to their daily caloric consumption, and too many treats can lead to obesity. Make sure the largest portion of your pup's calories is coming from energy-dense meals that include protein, fats, and carbohydrates and not from treats.Use the feeding chart on complete and balanced dog foods as a general guide and adjust according to the needs of your pet.If there are any concerning changes, speak to your veterinarian about it. Observe their body condition over time.Monitor your dog's behavior and exercise habits and stay up-to-date on your pet's overall health to determine when you may need to adjust to your dog's nutritional requirements.

Speak to a trusted veterinarian about their ideal body condition and determine the target healthy weight for your pet.

Dog calorie calculator