About PetFeedCalc
Free, science-based feeding calculators for dog and cat owners
What We Do
PetFeedCalc is a free resource that helps dog and cat owners determine exactly how much to feed their pets. Our calculators use veterinary-approved formulas to generate personalized feeding recommendations based on your pet's weight, age, breed, activity level, and health status.
We also publish breed-specific feeding guides covering the 20 most popular dog and cat breeds, along with in-depth articles on pet nutrition topics from puppy feeding schedules to senior dog diets.
Our Methodology
Every calculator on PetFeedCalc is built on established veterinary nutrition science:
- Resting Energy Requirement (RER): 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75 — the baseline calorie formula used by veterinary nutritionists worldwide
- Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER): RER multiplied by life-stage and activity factors (1.2× for sedentary adults up to 3.0× for working dogs)
- Body Condition Score (BCS): Our BMI calculator uses the 9-point BCS scale recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
- Breed-specific adjustments: Metabolic differences between giant breeds, brachycephalic breeds, and toy breeds are factored into our calculations
These formulas are derived from peer-reviewed veterinary literature and guidelines published by the National Research Council (NRC), the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF).
Why We Built This
Overfeeding is the #1 nutrition mistake pet owners make. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the United States are overweight or obese. Many owners simply follow the bag label — which is designed by manufacturers to sell more food, not optimize your pet's health.
We built PetFeedCalc because existing online calculators were either too simplistic (ignoring activity level and life stage) or locked behind paywalls. Our goal is to give every pet owner access to the same calorie calculations that veterinary nutritionists use in clinical practice — for free, with no signup required.
Content Standards
- Evidence-based: All feeding recommendations cite established veterinary formulas. We don't guess or extrapolate.
- Breed-verified: Breed guides reference official breed standards for weight ranges and known health predispositions that affect nutrition (e.g., Labrador obesity risk, French Bulldog food allergies).
- Regularly updated: We review all content quarterly and update when new nutritional guidelines are published.
- No product promotion: We don't sell pet food and don't receive compensation from any pet food brand. Our recommendations are formula-based, not brand-based.
Important Disclaimer
PetFeedCalc provides general nutritional guidelines based on average metabolic requirements. Our calculators are not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is unique — factors like health conditions, medications, food allergies, and individual metabolism can significantly affect dietary needs. Always consult with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your pet's diet, especially for pets with medical conditions.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you:
- Email: [email protected]
- Response time: Within 24-48 hours
If you're a veterinarian or certified animal nutritionist and would like to review our formulas or contribute content, please reach out — we value professional input.