Free tool
Dog & Cat Feeding Calculator NZ
"How much should I feed my dog?" is one of the most common questions new pet owners ask. Enter your pet's weight, life stage and food type to get a daily energy (kcal) and food amount (grams) starting point— then fine-tune with your food's label and your pet's body condition.
Enter your dog's weight to see a daily feeding estimate.
A starting point, not a prescription. Real foods vary a lot — always check your food's label feeding guide, watch your pet's body condition, and adjust. Pregnant or nursing pets, pets under 8 weeks, or pets with a medical condition or unusual weight: ask a NZ vet instead.
How it works
The calculator uses the standard veterinary formula for resting energy requirement — RER = 70 × (bodyweight in kg)0.75 — multiplied by the life-stage and activity factor ranges published in WSAVA and AAHA nutritional guidance. Calories are converted to grams using typical energy densities for dry (≈3.5–4 kcal/g) and wet (≈0.9–1.2 kcal/g) complete foods. Because real foods vary, results are shown as honest ranges rather than a single false-precision number.
Two rules of thumb matter more than any formula: watch body condition (you should feel ribs easily but not see them), and keep treats under ~10% of daily energy. If your pet is gaining or losing weight on a given amount, adjust gradually.
Keep reading
- NZ Dog Food Guide — types, labels and choosing well
- Wet vs Dry Dog Food NZ
- Wet vs Dry Cat Food NZ
- Do Cats Need More Food in Winter? NZ
- Pet Cost Calculator NZ — budget the full cost of ownership
FAQ
How much should I feed my dog per day?
It depends on weight, life stage and activity. A typical desexed 18 kg adult dog needs roughly 870–990 kcal a day — around 220–280 g of typical dry food — but puppies, working dogs and seniors differ a lot. Use the calculator for your dog's numbers, then adjust to the label and body condition.
How much should I feed my cat per day?
A typical 4 kg desexed adult cat needs roughly 240–280 kcal a day — about 60–80 g of dry food or 200–300 g of wet food. Kittens need proportionally much more; indoor cats often need less.
How does this calculator work?
It uses the standard veterinary formula for resting energy requirement (RER = 70 × bodyweight in kg to the power 0.75), multiplied by published life-stage factors used in WSAVA and AAHA nutrition guidance, then converts calories into grams using typical dry and wet food energy densities.
Why does my food bag say something different?
Foods vary widely in energy density, so the label feeding guide for your exact food is more specific than any generic calculator. Use this tool as a sanity-check starting point, and the label plus your pet's body condition to fine-tune.
When should I ask a vet instead?
For puppies and kittens under 8 weeks, pregnant or nursing pets, underweight or overweight pets, or any pet with a medical condition, get tailored feeding advice from a NZ vet — calculators are not designed for those cases.
Important:this calculator is general guidance based on standard veterinary formulas (WSAVA/AAHA), not personalised nutrition advice. Your food's label feeding guide is more specific than any calculator. For young, pregnant, nursing, under/overweight or unwell pets, talk to a NZ vet.
petmall.co.nz
Shop at PetMall
The products below are practical support items for your pet. PetMall ships across New Zealand.
- Dog FoodStart with food that matches your dog's life stage and activity level — and change brands slowly over 7–10 days.
- Dog TreatsTraining rewards and everyday treats — small, soft pieces work best for consistent reinforcement.
- Dog ToysA small rotation of chew, fetch, and puzzle toys usually works better than buying a large variety at once.
- Cat FoodStart with food that matches your cat's life stage — change brands slowly over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.
- Cat ToysA small rotation of toys (feather wand, puzzle feeder, and comfort toy) usually works better than buying many at once.
- Cat SuppliesBrowse the full cat range — from litter and scratching posts to carriers and grooming tools.