Feeding charts on the bag are a starting point calibrated for an average neutered adult — and they are wrong for most specific dogs. This guide gives you the arithmetic vets use, with worked examples for the five most common household situations, plus a printable worksheet from our feeding tools library.
The Core Formula
Resting energy requirement (RER) is 70 × body weight in kilograms raised to the 0.75 power. Daily calories equal RER multiplied by a life-stage factor: 1.6 for a typical neutered adult, 1.8 for an intact adult, 2.0 for weight loss (on vet supervision), 3.0 for a growing puppy under four months, and roughly 1.2–1.4 for most seniors.
| Dog | Weight | RER | Factor | Daily kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutered adult beagle | 12 kg | 566 | 1.6 | ~900 |
| Intact working border collie | 19 kg | 800 | 1.8+ (see below) | 1,600+ |
| Weight-loss lab | 34 kg | 1,207 | 1.0 (vet-set) | ~1,200 |
| 8-week large-breed puppy | 9 kg | 413 | 3.0 | ~1,240 |
| Senior shih tzu | 5 kg | 234 | 1.2 | ~280 |
Adjusting for Real Activity
The factor table collapses for dogs between couch and competition. A useful rule: add 10% of RER per hour of meaningful exercise beyond a normal walk. A 19 kg collie with three hours of herding work needs roughly 800 + 240, pushing the day toward 1,600–1,700 kcal — far above the bag chart’s 1,100.
Count the Treats
Treats and dental chews should stay under 10% of daily calories — a budget that evaporates fast. At 900 kcal daily, that is 90 kcal: one medium dental chew plus a training handful is already there. Our treat review files list per-piece calories for the chews we track, and the age guides explain how requirements shift across life stages.
My dog begs constantly — is the chart too low?
Begging is learned behavior more than hunger. Verify body condition: ribs should be palpable with light pressure and the waist visible from above.
Do I recalculate after weight change?
Yes, every 2–3 kg or 5% body weight — the curve is nonlinear.
Wet food mixed with kibble?
Count both. A half-can of typical food adds 180–220 kcal that most owners forget.
Related reading: Feeding tools & calculators · Age guides · Treat calorie files