| Scenario | Weight (kg) | Food Calories | Wet Units / Day | Dry Cups / Day | Wet Calorie Share | Estimated Cost / Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small adult example | 8.00 | 492.76 kcal | 1.50 | 0.62 | 54.79% | $2.52 |
| Medium adult example | 18.00 | 908.75 kcal | 1.25 | 1.33 | 46.77% | $3.87 |
| Large active example | 32.00 | 1,763.61 kcal | 1.50 | 2.98 | 34.02% | $6.57 |
These examples show how the same method scales across dog sizes and feeding styles.
RER = 70 × weight(kg)^0.75
Daily Calories = RER × activity factorIf a custom calorie target is entered, it replaces this estimate.
Food Calories = Daily Calories − Treat Calories
Wet Target Calories = Food Calories × wet share%Dry Calories = Food Calories − Wet Calories
Wet Units = Wet Calories ÷ wet kcal per unitDry Cups = Dry Calories ÷ dry kcal per cupWet Grams = Wet Units × wet unit sizeDry Grams = Dry Cups × dry grams per cup
Blended Moisture = ((wet grams × wet moisture) + (dry grams × dry moisture)) ÷ total gramsDry Matter = food grams × (100 − moisture%)
- Enter your dog’s weight and either an activity factor or a custom calorie target.
- Add daily treat calories so the main food plan stays within the total energy goal.
- Set the wet food share percentage you want on a calorie basis.
- Enter wet food label values, including kcal per unit, grams, moisture, and price.
- Enter dry food label values, including kcal per cup, grams per cup, moisture, and price per kilogram.
- Choose meals per day and an optional wet-unit rounding method, then calculate the final plan.
1) Is mixed feeding better than only dry food?
Mixed feeding can add moisture and variety while keeping dry-food convenience. It is not automatically better for every dog. Watch body condition, stool quality, appetite, and ingredient tolerance, then review the plan with your veterinarian.
2) Should I mix food by weight or by calories?
Use calories first. Wet food contains much more water, so equal grams rarely mean equal energy. This calculator sets the split by calories, then converts the plan into cans, grams, cups, and cost.
3) Can treats be included in the same feeding plan?
Yes. Enter daily treat calories so the wet and dry portions shrink accordingly. That keeps the overall intake closer to the target and reduces accidental overfeeding from rewards, toppers, or training snacks.
4) Why does rounding wet food change the dry amount?
Whole or half cans rarely match the exact calorie target. When wet units are rounded for convenience, the remaining calories shift to dry food, so the final mix can move slightly away from the requested ratio.
5) What if my label gives kcal per kilogram instead?
Convert the label value before using the calculator. Divide energy data into the serving size you actually feed, such as calories per can or calories per cup. Then the ratio plan will be much more reliable.
6) How often should I recalculate the ratio?
Recalculate when weight, activity, treats, food brands, or body condition change. Puppies, weight-loss plans, highly active dogs, and seniors usually need more frequent review than a stable adult maintenance plan.
7) Does moisture percentage really matter?
Yes. Moisture changes blended food weight and affects dry-matter comparison. It does not replace calories, but it helps explain why wet food often looks like a larger serving even when its energy contribution is moderate.
8) Is this enough for a medical feeding plan?
No. This is a portion-planning tool. Dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes, allergies, growth disorders, or prescription diets need individualized feeding instructions from a licensed veterinarian.