Pet Calorie Calculator — Dog & Cat Daily Calorie Needs

RER (Resting Energy Requirement) is the energy your pet needs to maintain basic bodily functions at rest. It's the foundation of all pet calorie calculations. MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) adjusts RER based on your pet's lifestyle, activity level, and health status.

BCS is a 9-point scale used by vets to assess a pet's body composition. Score 5 is ideal — you can feel ribs without pressing hard and there's a visible waist. Scores 1–4 indicate underweight, 6–9 indicate overweight to obese. Each point above 5 represents roughly 10–15% excess body weight.

Cup amounts vary significantly based on the calorie density of the specific food. Typical dry kibble ranges from 250–550 kcal/cup. Always check the label or manufacturer website for exact calorie content. Our calculator uses your entered density or defaults (350 kcal/cup dogs, 400 kcal/cup cats) as estimates.

Yes. For BCS 6–7, reduce to 80% of ideal weight RER. For BCS 8–9, target weight loss of 1–2% body weight per week using 60–70% of ideal weight RER. Always consult your veterinarian before starting a weight loss program, especially for cats (who risk hepatic lipidosis if calories are cut too drastically).