How many grams of food should I give per day?
Enter the daily calories your pet needs (calculated with the calorie tool) and the caloric density of the food you use to find the daily portion in grams.
Don't know this number? Calculate the daily calories first.
Recommended daily portion
167.1 g/day
That's approximately 1.67 standard cup(s) (~100 g each). Split it into 2 or more meals throughout the day.
How the calculation works
The daily food portion is simply the required daily calories (MER) divided by the caloric density of the food, multiplied by 1000: grams = (MER ÷ kcal per kg) × 1000.
Higher-calorie foods (premium, super-premium) require fewer grams to deliver the same amount of energy; budget foods tend to have lower caloric density and require larger portions.
If you don't yet know how many daily calories your pet needs, calculate it first with our calorie calculator — the result can be sent straight to this page.
Caloric density of common commercial pet foods (reference values)
| Food | Caloric density |
|---|---|
| Golden Fórmula Adulto | 3770 kcal/kg |
| Golden Especial Adulto | 3400 kcal/kg |
| Premier Fórmula Adulto | 3900 kcal/kg |
| Royal Canin Medium Adult | 3891 kcal/kg |
| Royal Canin Mini Adult | 4015 kcal/kg |
| Pedigree Adulto Carne | 3300 kcal/kg |
| Hill's Science Diet Adult | 3697 kcal/kg |
| Pro Plan Adulto | 3970 kcal/kg |
| Whiskas Adulto (gato) | 3450 kcal/kg |
| Royal Canin Indoor (gato) | 3555 kcal/kg |
| Premier Gatos Adulto | 3700 kcal/kg |
| Purina ONE Adulto | 3800 kcal/kg |
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my pet food's caloric density (kcal/kg)?
It's on the bag or can label, usually in the "guaranteed analysis" or "nutritional information" table, listed as "metabolizable energy" in kcal/kg. If the food you use isn't in our preset list, choose "Other food" and type that value in.
Is the amount in cups accurate?
No — it's only an approximate reference, since the volume of a cup varies with the density and kibble shape of each food. For accuracy, always weigh the food on a kitchen scale.
Should I give the whole portion at once?
It's recommended to split the daily portion into at least 2 meals for adult dogs, and 3 to 4 for puppies. This helps digestion and reduces the risk of bloat (gastric torsion) in large breeds.
Does the portion change if I mix dry food with wet or fresh food?
Yes. This calculation assumes 100% of daily calories come from dry food. If the pet also gets treats, wet food, or a fresh diet, the amount of dry food should be reduced proportionally to the calories already provided by those other sources.
Important notice
This calculator is for educational purposes and does not replace a veterinary evaluation. When in doubt, consult a veterinarian.Sources
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