How to use the puppy food calculator
- Enter your puppy's current weight.
- Enter the age in weeks.
- Optional: enter the kcal/kg from the puppy food bag to also see grams per day.
- Press Calculate.
Worked example
A 10-week-old puppy weighing 5 kg, eating a puppy food that lists 3,800 kcal/kg.
- Puppy's current weight
- 5 kg
- Age (weeks)
- 10
- Food kcal/kg
- 3800
- Energy need
- 702 kcal/day
- Food per day
- 185 g (6.5 oz)
- Meals per day
- 4
- Per meal
- 46 g
- Factor used
- 3.0 × RER (under 4 months)
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
Reference table
| Weight | Under 4 months (3.0×) | 4 months–adult (2.0×) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 353 | 235 |
| 5 kg | 702 | 468 |
| 10 kg | 1,181 | 787 |
| 15 kg | 1,601 | 1,067 |
| 20 kg | 1,986 | 1,324 |
| 30 kg | 2,692 | 1,795 |
Understanding your result
Growing puppies need more energy per kilogram than adults. The calculator uses the same resting energy formula (70 × weight in kg to the power 0.75) and multiplies it by 3.0 for puppies under four months and 2.0 from four months until adulthood.
The result is then converted to grams using your food's kcal per kg, and divided into meals. Younger puppies usually eat more often, so the tool suggests more meals for very young puppies and fewer as they grow.
Puppy weight changes quickly, so the answer is only valid for a short time. Re-enter your puppy's weight every week or two while it is growing.
Common mistakes
- Using the adult food's energy value for a puppy food, or the other way round.
- Feeding to the bag chart alone; charts assume an average puppy.
- Giving extra food to a puppy that looks thin without checking with the vet first.
- Entering the expected adult weight instead of today's weight.
Good to know
- Large-breed puppies should not be allowed to grow too fast, so ask your vet about a suitable food and feeding plan.
- A puppy that is not gaining weight, or has vomiting or diarrhoea for more than a day, needs veterinary attention.
- Switch food types gradually over about a week to avoid stomach upset.
When to talk to your vet
- Your puppy is not gaining weight
- Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than a day
- Your puppy is very thin or pot-bellied
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my puppy?
Puppies need more energy per kg than adults: about 3 × RER until 4 months and 2 × RER after. A 5 kg puppy aged 10 weeks needs about 702 kcal a day.
How many times a day should a puppy eat?
Usually 4 meals at 8–12 weeks, 3 meals from 3 to 6 months and 2 meals after 6 months.
When should I switch to adult food?
Small breeds often switch around 9–12 months; large and giant breeds later (12–18 months). Ask your vet for your puppy's breed size.
Should large-breed puppies eat less?
Large-breed puppies should grow steadily, not fast. Use a large-breed puppy food and keep them lean — your vet can check body condition at each visit.
How do I know I'm feeding the right amount?
Weigh your puppy every 1–2 weeks and check that you can feel the ribs easily. Adjust by 10% if needed.
Why is the factor 3.0 and then 2.0?
Growing puppies need much more energy per kg: 3.0 × RER up to 4 months and 2.0 × RER from 4 months to adult. The result is a starting point; adjust by body condition and ask your vet about your puppy's breed size.
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)
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.
- Dog Calorie CalculatorSee your dog's resting energy requirement (RER) and daily maintenance energy (MER) for its life stage.
- Raw Dog Food CalculatorEstimate how much raw food to feed each day and how to split it into muscle meat, bone and organ.
- Dog Food CalorieEstimate the calories in a dog or cat food from the guaranteed analysis on the label.
- Puppy & Kitten Age CalculatorFind your puppy's or kitten's exact age in weeks, months and days from its birth date.
Estimates only. Every pet is different — confirm with your veterinarian. If your pet may have eaten something harmful, contact your vet or an animal poison helpline now.