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Feeding

A clearer answer at mealtime.

Estimate daily calories, then convert them into cans or cups using the food you actually feed.

01

Tell us about your pet

Example values
lb

This tool estimates routine feeding, not a treatment diet.

02

Use the food label

Example value. Replace with your can’s calorie content.

%

Keep treats below 10% of total calories.

Used only to divide the daily amount.

Puppy and kitten settings cover fully weaned, growing pets. Milk replacement, pregnancy, nursing, prescribed diets and weight-loss plans need individual veterinary guidance.

Estimated daily energy

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A little context helps

What the answer means

01

Begin with daily energy

Resting energy is 70 × body weight in kg raised to the 0.75 power. AAHA’s life-stage factors turn it into a starting daily estimate. Adult factors are ranges; the growth factors are 3 for puppies under 4 months, 2 from 4 months, and 2.5 for kittens.

02

Read the calorie line

US pet food labels must state calorie content (AAFCO, as AAHA notes). Use kcal per can for wet food or kcal per cup for dry food. For a mixed plan, the wet-food percentage is a share of calories, not of weight or volume.

03

Adjust to the individual

Keep treats below 10% of daily calories (WSAVA, AAHA). AAHA says sedentary or indoor pets may need less than the factors suggest, and to adjust by watching body weight and body condition.

These are starting estimates for healthy pets at an appropriate weight, including fully weaned puppies and kittens. They are not milk-replacement instructions or a plan for pregnancy, nursing, illness or weight loss.

Guides in this section

How Much Wet Food to Feed a CatHow much wet food should a cat eat? About 261–305 kcal a day for a 10 lb neutered adult. Turn your cat's calories into cans a day with the calorie line on your food's label (AAHA).
Follow the numbers

Sources for this tool

Checked Oct 17, 2026
American Animal Hospital Association2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines, Box 1The resting energy formula and life-stage factors. This tool doesn’t use the weight-loss factors.World Small Animal Veterinary AssociationFeeding treats to your dogTreats under 10% of a dog’s daily calories.World Small Animal Veterinary AssociationFeeding treats to your catTreats under 10% of a cat’s daily calories.