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Dog and cat calorie calculator

How many calories does your pet need a day? Answer a few quick questions to see daily calories, how many can come from treats, an ideal weight and how much water to give.

Tell us about your pet

  1. How much does your cat weigh?

  2. Is your cat neutered or spayed?

  3. Life stage

  4. Activity level

    Be honest. Many indoor pets are less active than we think.

    Cozy Lounger

    Prefers naps and gentle interactions over playtime (<30 mins)

  5. Treats per day

  6. Body condition

    Which shape looks most like your pet from above and from the side?

    For the most accurate measurement, gently feel along your cat's ribs and spine to guide your best judgment.

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How many calories does my cat need?

Cats run on fewer calories than most people expect, so a few extra treats or a generous scoop adds up quickly. Kittens need a lot of energy for their size; adult indoor cats need much less, especially once spayed or neutered.

Activity matters too. A cat who naps most of the day needs noticeably less than one who spends hours climbing and chasing toys.

A 10 lb neutered adult cat with moderate daily play needs about 261 kcal a day and around 227 ml of water.

Calculate for your cat

How we calculate

We consider your pet’s weight, life stage, activity and body condition to estimate their daily needs—the same approach used in the Every Wag app.

  1. Resting energy

    Start with the calories your pet burns at rest, based on their body weight.

  2. Daily needs

    Adjust for life stage, activity level, and whether your pet is neutered or spayed.

  3. Healthy weight

    Consider body condition to estimate a healthy target weight and the calories needed to support it.

  4. Treats

    Set aside part of the daily calorie allowance for treats, based on how often you give them. The rest comes from food.

  5. Water

    Estimate daily water needs based on body weight, species and activity level.

A starting point for your pet. These are estimates. Every pet is different, so check with your veterinarian before making big changes to your pet's diet, especially if they have a health condition.

Questions pet owners ask

How many calories does my dog need per day?

It depends mostly on weight, life stage, activity and whether they're neutered. As a rough guide, a 50 lb neutered adult dog with average activity needs about 1164 calories a day. Puppies need far more per pound, and seniors and couch-loving dogs need less.

How many calories does my cat need per day?

A 10 lb neutered adult cat with moderate daily play needs roughly 261 calories a day. Kittens need much more per pound, and quieter or senior cats need less.

How many treats can I give each day?

A common guideline is to keep treats to about 10% of daily calories. The calculator splits your pet's total into food calories and treat calories based on how many treats you give, so treats come out of the day's budget instead of being added on top.

How do I know if my pet is overweight?

Run your hands along their sides. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, see a waist from above, and see the belly tuck up behind the ribs from the side. If you can't feel the ribs when pressing gently, your pet is likely carrying extra weight.

How much water should my dog or cat drink?

Most dogs drink roughly 50 to 70 ml per kg of body weight a day and most cats 40 to 60 ml per kg, with more active pets at the higher end. Wet food counts toward this. A sudden increase in thirst is worth mentioning to your vet.

How much food should I put in the bowl?

Divide your pet's daily food calories by the calories per cup or can on the food label, then split that across meals. The Every Wag app's portion calculator does this for you, in cups, cans or grams per meal.

Keep good habits going

Explore practical tips on feeding and healthy weight.

Every Wag pet care blog

For veterinary teams

Help clients at mealtime

Share this calculator in your clients’ discharge guides with Care Connect.

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