homemade dog food nutrition calculator

Safe & wholesome nutrition, in your hands

Why Balance It?

For two decades, weve provided proven solutions for feeding dogs and cats fresh food.

Why Balance It?

For two decades, weve provided proven solutions for feeding dogs and cats fresh food.

• Founded and continually supported by an expert board-certified veterinary nutritionist and elected past Chair of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition & AVMA Veterinary Specialty Organizations Committee
• State of the art Recipe Builder with trillions of possible free recipes available
• FDA & AAFCO Compliant
• Third-party audited to federal/FDA Human Dietary Supplement standards
• Every guaranteed nutrient is lab assayed to be within specification prior to release
• Safe for your dog/cat and the planet, no animal origin ingredients + powered by 100% renewable energy + minimal packaging
• Family-owned, benefit corporation & made with love in California
• Dedicated support team of licensed veterinary nurses and seasoned customer care team members available to assist with questions
• Trusted by tens of thousands of veterinary professionals worldwide
• Verified & fully transparent reviews from real customers that have used recipes with Balance It supplements
• 45-day money back return policy & no commitment/subscription required

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How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Our Puppy and Dog Food Calculator

JustFoodForDog's puppy & dog food calculator is the easiest way to discover how many calories your dog should eat. ...

Welcome to the JustFoodForDogs puppy & dog food calculator. We know that no two dogs are the same so we made it easier for you to discover how many calories your dog should eat, the specific amount you should be feeding them, and recipes theyll love.

Our team of veterinarians created the calculator to take into account key factors such as your dogs current weight, breed, age, and activity level. It also examines issues such as allergies, digestion, or picky eating, along with your goals to boost wellness or achieve a healthy weight. All of these factors are used to determine the number of calories per day, as well as recommending recipes that help your dog to live a happy and healthy life.

How much should I feed my dog? Our dog calorie calculator can be used for dogs of all ages which makes it the perfect puppy food calculator as well.

Food quantity isnt the only factor to consider. You might be wondering, How many calories should my dog eat? Good news: this is also a dog feeding calculator by weight. Once you know the correct amount of food and calories needed, youre on your way to making sure your dog enjoys the food necessary to feel fit and healthy.

Our recipes are formulated by our team of veterinarians for complete, balanced nutrition. Concerned about weight? We have daily recipes that are lighter by natureas well as special diets that are lower in fat. Keep in mind that the number of treats you feed your dog a day (on average) will affect the results of the dog calorie calculator. Not sure which treats are healthy for your dog? JustFoodForDogs offers a variety of healthy dog snacks that pets love. Made from restaurant-quality ingredients, JustFoodForDogs treats are a great way to reward good behavior and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Not only will our dog food calculator generate a daily feeding guide with recommended calories per day and serving sizes, but it will also recommend a curated selection of our nutritious #1 vet-recommended fresh dog food. Our recipes are crafted by an incredible team of veterinarians and specialists. You can make your own homemade version with our DIY homemade dog food kits, using the same effective recipes as our Fresh Frozen meals.

Did you know that dogs, puppies, and cats have different dietary needs? If youre a cat parent and are interested in the importance of providing your pet a whole-food diet, JustFoodForDogs offers a nutritious cat food recipe with restaurant-grade ingredients for the feline in your life.

Dog Food Calculator

The Dog Food Calculator can help you estimate the proper serving size for your pet. Its based upon a study published by the respected Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in Leicestershire, England. ¹

To use the calculator, youll need to know your dogs ideal weight. This is what you believe your pet should weigh.

Youll also need to know the number of calories in the specific dog food youre feeding him.

The calculators formula² uses a dogs metabolic weight to suggest an approximate serving size.

Dog Food Calculator Guidelines

The Dog Food Calculator was designed for adult dogs only not for puppies.

And it should never be used for pregnant or lactating females.

Small breeds are considered adults at about 9 to 12 months of age. And medium breeds at about 12 to 14 months.³

However, large and giant breeds shouldnt be fed as adults until they reach around 1 to 2 years depending upon the breed.⁴

What's the best dog food?

Overweight Dogs

If you believe your dog might be overweight, be sure to choose the Overweight option for Your dogs activity level.

Otherwise, the recommended serving size will likely be too high.

And for help, be sure to visit our Best Dog Foods for Weight Loss article.

Senior Dogs

Older dogs have significantly lower energy needs than younger ones.So, its easy for them to put on extra weight.

In general, small to medium dogs are considered seniors at about seven years of age. However, larger breeds reach senior status much sooner some as early as five.⁵

Converting From Calories to Serving Size

Once youve entered your dogs ideal weight and activity level, youll know the number of calories per day.

However, to convert calories into something you can use, youll need to enter the number of calories in your dogs food.

The number of calories in a given amount of dog food is known as its metabolizable energy (ME, for short). Its usually reported somewhere on a dog food package like this

• Calories per cup (kcal/cup)
• Calories per kilogram (kcal/kilogram)

By the way, the calculator assumes youre feeding your dog just once a day.

If you prefer to feed your dog twice a day, be sure to divide your result in half so that both meals add up to the full daily calories suggested.

The Bottom Line

Since every dog is unique, its impossible to predict the serving size thats perfect for each pet.

So, start with the packages feeding instructions or the amount suggested by our calculator.

And be sure to weigh your dog every few weeks.

Then, simply adjust that suggested serving size up or down to reach and maintain your pets ideal weight.

Homemade Dog Food Recipes: Choosing Balanced Ingredients

Are you considering switching your dog to a homemade diet? A good place to begin is by discussing it with your veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist. You may think that sounds unnecessary when there are so many recipes for homecooked dog meals available on the internet. However, the experts say that many of those recipes were not reviewed by veterinary nutritionists to make sure they provide a nutritional, well-balanced diet for your dog. This is why some owners prefer to feed pre-made fresh food.

The American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) warns that your dogs unique nutritional requirements will depend on the age, size, health, and breed. Also, there are dogs for whom a homemade diet may not be appropriate or might even be damaging. We generally dont recommend homemade diets for a dog less than one-year-old. If young dogs dont receive the appropriate amount of calcium and phosphorus, significant bone abnormalities may result, says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinarian. Pregnant and lactating dogs also have unique dietary requirements that may not be addressed by a recipe found on the internet.

The ABCs of a Balanced Dog Food Diet

Understanding the basics of what makes a homecooked diet balanced for your dog will help when you discuss the options with an expert. Here are important ingredients for the canine diet.

Protein: According to the ACVN, dogs must have protein in their diets that contain 10 specific essential amino acids their bodies cant produce. This is necessary for the creation of glucose, which transforms into energy. Sources of protein include chicken and turkey, after removing bones, fat, and skin; beef and lamb; pork in limited amounts; salmon and some other fish such as whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, and Arctic char.

Fats and fatty acids: The most concentrated sources of fats in a dogs diet come from animal fats and plant seed oils. A healthy diet supplies the fatty acids the dogs body doesnt manufacture. Fatty acids support the function and structure of cells, keep skin and coat healthy, and enhance the taste of the food. Sources of fatty acids include plant-based oils, including corn, soybean, canola, and flaxseed oil, as well as fish oil.

Carbohydrates: Dogs get some of their energy from carbohydrates, which include sugars, starches, and dietary fibers. Sources includerice, pasta, oatmeal, and quinoa.

Fiber: Dogs need fiber in their diet to keep their gastrointestinal (GI) system functioning and to help them from becoming overweight. Good sources of fiber for dogs include carrots, pumpkin, apples, dark leafy greens, brown rice, and flaxseed.

Vitamins: Vitamins are required for growth and maintenance. Vitamin deficiencies can cause a variety of health problems; however, they can also be dangerous in large quantities.

Vitamins dogs require include A (carrots, pumpkin), B vitamins (liver, green vegetables, whole grains), C (fruits and vegetables, organ meat), D (liver, fish, beef), E (leafy green vegetables, liver, bran, plant oils), K (fish, leafy green vegetables, fish), and choline (liver, fish, meats, egg yolks).

Minerals: There are 12 essential minerals for dogs:

• Calcium (tofu, green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower) and phosphorus (meat, eggs) for strong bones and teeth.
• Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cell signaling.
• Sulfur (meat, fish, molasses) for healthy skin, coat, and nails.
• Iron (red meats, poultry) for supporting red blood cells and the immune system.
• Iodine (dairy, kelp, seafood) for a healthy thyroid.
• Zinc (eggs, lamb, liver, brewers yeast) for the immune system, healthy skin, and coat.
• Selenium (meat, vegetables, seafood, brown rice) to boost the immune system.
• Copper (whole grains, seeds, and seafood) for healthy bone growth.

Water: We sometimes overlook this important ingredient of a healthy dogs diet, but there really is no dog food that contains enough water for your dog. Keep clean, fresh water out always.

Making the Transition

Consult a veterinarian: If youve decided to transition your dog to a homemade diet, your first step should be to consult a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist. Those experts will consider your dogs age, size, and health history and help you identify a high-quality recipe that is tailored to meet your dogs specific nutritional needs.

Buying ingredients: When you buy ingredients for your dogs homemade meals, you need to pay as much attention to the source, expiration dates, and labels as you do when you buy food for yourself.

Making the switch gradually: Whenever you change your dogs food, whether to a homemade diet or a new commercial food, a gradual switch is best to avoid upsetting your dogs GI system. For at least five-to-seven days, gradually mix in more and more of the new food with the old food, as you allow your dog to adjust to the change.

Follow the recipe: Be sure to follow the recipe. Tufts Cummings Veterinary Medical Center Clinical Nutrition Service published a study to determine how well owners adhered to homecooked diet recipes a median of one year later. Only 13 percent were still feeding the original nutritionally balanced diet recipe.

Clear instructions: Instructions about preparation and quantities are important. The way you cook the ingredients for example, steam, roast, or boil can impact the nutrition of the diet. Substituting or adding ingredients can also cause nutritional deficiencies. A study reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that a lack of clear instructions in many recipes forces pet owners to make assumptions that can result in food that is nutritionally inadequate and can even be harmful if fed to your dog on a long-term basis.

Follow-up:Once youve made the transition, pay attention to any digestive changes your dog may have. If his stool softens, he vomits, or has diarrhea, check in with the veterinarian. Whenever you change your dogs diet, you also need to monitor his weight. It may take a while to determine the correct portions for his size, age, and energy level.

Resources for the Chef

• Your best resource and first stop is your dogs veterinarian, who knows your dog and has a thorough understanding of his health history and current condition.
• A good resource to help find a veterinary nutritionist for a homemade diet consultation is the Diplomate directory at www.acvn.org. If there isnt a nutritionist in your area, you can consult with one remotely.
• An alternative option is to use the online consulting service called BalanceIT, a site operated by a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a basic, nutritionally balanced recipe.

• Another site that provides answers to your questions is: Ask the Nutritionist
• ChefPaw is the latest way to provide your pup with nutritious and delicious meals, giving you a more efficient way to prepare homemade dog food. VisitChefPaw.comto learn more

ChefPaw by Innovet Pet Products is helping you take full control of your dogs diet with the first countertop Dog Food Maker of its kind. Striving to save you time and money while maximizing your dogs nutrition, ChefPaw can make fresh, homemade food for your dog in 40 minutes. At ChefPaw, your pets happiness and well-being take center stage.