Dog RER Calculator
Calculate your dog’s Resting Energy Requirement
Dog Weight (lbs)
Life Stage (MER Factor)
Dog RER Calculator: The Foundation of Canine Nutrition
RER (Resting Energy Requirement) is the number of calories a dog needs at complete rest. It is the foundational number used by veterinary nutritionists for all feeding calculations. The formula: RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)⁰⋅⁷⁵. To get your dog’s actual daily calorie target (MER), multiply RER by a life stage factor.
RER Reference by Dog Weight
| Weight | RER (kcal) | MER Adult Neutered |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 234 | 234 kcal |
| 25 lbs (11.3 kg) | 468 | 468 kcal |
| 50 lbs (22.7 kg) | 787 | 787 kcal |
| 75 lbs (34 kg) | 1055 | 1055 kcal |
FAQs
How is dog RER different from MER?
RER is the baseline caloric need at complete rest. MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) adjusts RER for your dog’s actual lifestyle and life stage. For most adult neutered dogs, MER equals RER (factor 1.0). Puppies, working dogs, and nursing mothers have MER factors of 2.0-3.0+.
Why does my vet use RER instead of bag feeding guides?
Bag guides are generalized and often over-estimate portions. RER is calculated for your dog’s specific body weight using validated veterinary nutritional science, making it significantly more accurate. Vets and veterinary nutritionists always start with RER for feeding recommendations.
Conclusion
Our dog RER calculator gives you both the base RER and the life stage-adjusted MER. For complete nutrition planning, use our dog food calculator and our calorie calculator.