How to use the dog food cost calculator
- Enter your dog's weight and life stage.
- Enter the food's kcal per kg, the bag price and the bag size.
- Press Calculate.
Worked example
Luna, a neutered adult dog weighing 20 kg, eating a 3,600 kcal/kg kibble that costs US$60 for a 15 kg bag (your prices will differ).
- Weight
- 20 kg
- Life stage & activity
- Neutered/spayed adult
- Food energy (kcal/kg on the bag)
- 3600
- Currency
- US dollar
- Price of one bag
- 60
- Bag size
- 15 kg
- Per month
- $36
- Per year
- $430
- Energy need
- 1,059 kcal/day
- Food per day
- 295 g
- One bag lasts
- about 51 days
Food only: treats, chews and extras are not included.
Example values are illustrative; this result is produced by the same calculator above.
How we calculate it
Sources: NRC · WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines · Merck Veterinary Manual · Pure arithmetic / unit conversion on user inputs (no external constant)
Understanding your result
The calculator first works out how much energy your dog needs: resting energy (70 × weight in kilograms^0.75) multiplied by a life-stage factor, such as 1.6 for a neutered adult. A 20 kg neutered dog needs about 1,059 kcal a day.
It then divides that by the food's energy density to get grams a day. At 3,600 kcal per kilogram a 20 kg dog eats about 294 g. Finally it multiplies by the price per kilogram of the bag you buy to give the cost per day, per month and per year, and how many days one bag lasts.
Monthly cost uses 365 ÷ 12 days, about 30.4, so twelve months add up to a full year. Treats, chews, toppers and vet diets are not included, so add them separately for a full food budget.
Because cost depends on the calories in the food as well as its price, a cheaper bag is not always cheaper to feed: a less energy-dense food means you feed more grams a day.
Common mistakes
- Comparing bags by price per bag instead of price per day.
- Using the kcal per kilogram from a different product or from the dry-matter column.
- Forgetting that wet food, toppers and treats add to the daily cost.
- Entering the bag price and size in different units. Choose kg or lb to match the bag.
- Assuming the figure stays the same as your dog grows, loses weight or ages.
Good to know
- Check the price per kilogram when you shop; many shops show it on the shelf label.
- Buying a larger bag often lowers the price per kilogram, but opened bags go stale, so follow the storage advice on the pack.
- Use the Pet Food Bag Duration Calculator to see when to reorder.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to feed a dog?
It depends on the dog's size and the food's price per kilogram. This calculator uses your dog's calorie need and the bag you buy to give a daily, monthly and yearly cost.
Does it include treats?
No. Treats and extras are not included, so add them separately. The Dog Treat Calorie Calculator shows a sensible treat allowance.
Why is the monthly figure not 30 times the daily one?
The monthly cost uses 365 ÷ 12 days (about 30.4) so twelve months add up to a full year.
Does the cost change when my dog's weight changes?
Yes. A heavier or more active dog needs more calories and therefore more food. Recalculate when your dog's weight or life stage changes.
How do I compare two foods?
Run the calculator twice with each food's kcal per kilogram and bag price. Compare the cost per day, not the price per bag.
Can I use this for a puppy?
This tool is for adult dogs. Puppies need more energy per kilogram, so use the Puppy Food Calculator for the amount and then price it per kilogram.
Sources
- NRC (2006) Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, National Academies Press
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines (incl. 9-point BCS charts)
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals (incl. maintenance energy table)
- Pure arithmetic / unit conversion on user inputs (no external constant)
Related calculators
- Dog Food CalculatorFind out how many calories your dog needs each day and how many grams or cups of your dog's food that is — using the same energy formula vets use.
- Pet Food Bag Duration CalculatorFind out how many days a bag of pet food will last at the amount you feed.
- Cost of Owning a Dog CalculatorAdd up the one-off and monthly costs of a dog to see the first-year, yearly and lifetime cost.
- Dog Calorie CalculatorSee your dog's resting energy requirement (RER) and daily maintenance energy (MER) for its life stage.
Estimates only. Every pet is different — confirm with your veterinarian.