Pet Food Portion Planner
Calculate veterinary WSAVA/NRC daily calories (RER/MER), exact kibble cup and gram portions per meal, and monthly pet food budgets for dogs and cats.
Pet Profile & Energy Multipliers
Food Packaging & Caloric Density
Daily Portion & Calorie Target
🩺 Veterinary Nutrition Guideline (WSAVA 10% Rule)
Commercial kibble bags often overestimate serving sizes by 20% to 30%, contributing to canine and feline obesity. Keep training treats and table scraps strictly capped at 10% of total daily calories (116 kcal) to avoid nutritional imbalances.
About this tool
How to use it
- Select your pet species (Dog or Cat) and preferred measurement units (Imperial lbs/cups or Metric kg/grams).
- Enter your pet's current or veterinarian-recommended ideal body weight.
- Choose your pet's life stage and activity level (Neutered Adult, Intact, Weight Loss, Active, Puppy, or Kitten).
- Enter the caloric density of your pet food (listed as kcal/cup or kcal/kg on the guaranteed analysis label) and bag price.
- Inspect the precise cup and gram portions per meal, daily maintenance calorie requirements (MER), and monthly food budget.
Why it matters
Over 50% of pet dogs and cats in Western countries are overweight or clinically obese, largely because generic feeding chart tables printed on pet food bags are based on unneutered, highly active working animals. Using the official WSAVA allometric RER/MER formulas guarantees accurate, weight-appropriate daily nutrition.
When to use it
Use this calculator whenever switching pet food brands, adjusting portions for weight management, transitioning puppies/kittens into adult life stages, or planning monthly pet supply budgets.
Good to know
Calculations use the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and National Research Council (NRC) Resting Energy Requirement formula: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75. 10% of daily calories are reserved for training treats and dental chews to prevent nutrient dilution.
Common questions
What is the difference between RER and MER?
Resting Energy Requirement (RER) is the basal energy required for a pet at rest to maintain essential body functions (breathing, circulation, organ function). Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) multiplies RER by a life-stage factor (typically 1.0 to 1.8 for adult pets) to account for daily activity, spay/neuter status, and temperature.
Why do pet food bag guidelines tell me to feed more than this calculator?
Kibble manufacturers frequently use broad weight brackets (e.g. '30–50 lbs: feed 2.5 to 3.5 cups') that overestimate requirements for typical sedentary or neutered house pets. Spaying or neutering reduces a pet's metabolic rate by 20% to 25%, meaning bag guidelines often lead to gradual weight gain.
What is the 10% treat rule?
Veterinarians recommend that complete and balanced commercial pet food provide at least 90% of your pet's daily caloric intake. Biscuits, training treats, jerky, and table scraps should never exceed 10% of total daily calories, or they can cause micronutrient deficiencies.
How many grams are in a standard cup of dry kibble?
On average, one standard 8-ounce measuring cup holds approximately 100 to 120 grams of dry dog or cat kibble, depending on pellet density and shape. Weighing food on a digital kitchen scale is significantly more accurate than using volumetric cups.
How do I calculate portions if my pet needs to lose weight?
Select the 'Weight Loss Target' life-stage option (which uses a 1.0x RER multiplier for dogs or 0.8x for cats) and enter your pet's target goal weight rather than their current obese weight. Always consult your veterinarian before starting a calorie-restricted diet.