How many calories does a puppy need?
A puppy under 4 months needs about 3× its resting energy requirement; from 4 to 12 months that falls to about 2×. So a 10 kg puppy under 4 months needs roughly 1,181 kcal a day — RER = 70 × 100.75 ≈ 394 kcal, multiplied by 3.0. At 4–12 months the same puppy drops to about 787 kcal a day. A 5 kg puppy under 4 months needs about 702 kcal; a 20 kg puppy needs about 1,986 kcal.
| Weight | Age | Factor | Daily kcal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | Under 4 months | × 3.0 | 702 |
| 5 kg | 4–12 months | × 2.0 | 468 |
| 10 kg | Under 4 months | × 3.0 | 1,181 |
| 10 kg | 4–12 months | × 2.0 | 787 |
| 15 kg | Under 4 months | × 3.0 | 1,601 |
| 15 kg | 4–12 months | × 2.0 | 1,067 |
| 20 kg | Under 4 months | × 3.0 | 1,986 |
| 20 kg | 4–12 months | × 2.0 | 1,324 |
Where these numbers come from
Every figure above is produced by the same calculation engine that runs the calculator on this site, in two steps:
- Resting energy requirement:
RER = 70 × kg0.75— the NRC energy equation. - Life-stage factor: × 3.0 under 4 months, × 2.0 from 4 to 12 months (NRC 2006 growth multipliers; life stage takes precedence over activity level).
The same factor tables, with their sources, are published in the open reference dataset (CC BY 4.0) — so any number on this page can be re-computed independently. Our full method is described on how we check our numbers.
Work out your own puppy's number
The table covers common weights; the calculator takes any weight and gives the daily calorie figure:
Open the dog calorie calculator →
From calories to cups or grams
The table gives calories; your food bag gives kcal per cup or per 100 g. To convert: divide the daily kcal by the kcal per cup to get cups, or by kcal per 100 g and multiply by 100 to get grams. For a step-by-step guide, see how much should I feed my puppy.
Feeding a growing puppy? Browse puppy food options on Amazon — puppy formulas are calorie-dense; check the kcal per cup for your breed size.
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Common follow-up questions
Why does the number fall at 4 months? Growth slows. The multiplier drops from 3.0 to 2.0 because the puppy is no longer growing as fast. The full reasoning is on why puppies need three times the resting energy.
Should a large-breed puppy eat more? Per kilogram, no — the multiplier is the same. But large breeds need controlled growth, not maximum growth. See the puppy weight gain chart.
Why the multiplier is 3× → · How much to feed in cups → · Dog calorie calculator → · Open dataset →