🐾 Vet-Reviewed · Trusted by 18,000+ Pet Parents

Smart Nutrition Tools for Dog & Cat Parents

Stop guessing at feeding charts. DIY Farmer gives dogs and cats the exact calories they need — based on real weight, life stage, body condition, and activity. Vet-formula precision, done in 60 seconds.

18,000+ pet parents
NRC & WSAVA formulas
100% free · no signup
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Buddy · 24 kg1,142 kcal / day
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Luna · 4.2 kg198 kcal / day
18,000+
Pet parents helped
3 yrs
In small-animal nutrition
25+
Vet-reviewed guides
2
Free calculators
🧮 Calculators

What Every Dog & Cat Parent Is Talking About

Built on species-specific metabolism formulas — so your dog's kibble math and your cat's indoor feeding plan are each dialed in separately. No one-size-fits-all.

✨ What you get

Is Your Pet Really Eating the Right Amount?

Most pet parents are off by 20–40%. Our calculators give you the full picture — ideal weight target, portion sizes, treat budgets, and a printable cheat sheet for your fridge.

Ideal-weight target

If your pet is over or under condition, we show the healthy weight to aim for — plus a safe weekly pace to get there.

Life-stage tuned

Puppies need 2–3× the calories of adults. Seniors need less. Our multipliers shift automatically based on your pet's age.

Portion translator

Enter the kcal/cup of your current food and we'll tell you exactly how many cups, grams or cans to serve daily.

Printable report

Take a clean one-page summary to your next vet visit — or stick it on the fridge as a feeding cheat sheet.

Treat-friendly math

10% treat allotment is built in by default so your pet still gets the good stuff without busting calorie goals.

Education built in

Each result links to a relevant explainer so you understand exactly why the number is what it is.

👋 Meet the specialist

Expert Nutrition Guides, Written for Real Pet Parents

DIY Farmer is built by a small-animal nutrition specialist — three years of translating AAFCO science into plain, usable feeding advice for dogs, cats, and the humans who love them.

Dr. Marcus Whitfield, DIY Farmer's small-animal nutrition specialist

Dr. Marcus Whitfield

Small-Animal Nutrition Specialist

Three years of dedicated focus on canine and feline nutrition. Every calculator formula and feeding guide on DIY Farmer is cross-checked against AAFCO, WSAVA, and NRC guidelines — the same references your vet relies on. The goal: keep the science rigorous, keep the writing accessible.

🎓 Small-Animal Nutrition 📚 AAFCO Reviewed 🌱 3 Years Experience
📚 Deep-dive guides

Nutrition Guides by Breed & Life Stage

Because a Corgi, a Husky, and a Persian cat don't eat the same way. Deep-dive references for breed-specific needs, life stages, and common health conditions.

📖 From the blog

How Many Calories Does Your Dog or Cat Actually Need?

Common feeding mistakes, breed-specific breakdowns, and real owner stories — all grounded in vet-reviewed science.

Browse all 20 articles →
📬 Weekly Newsletter

Is Your Dog or Cat Eating the Right Amount?

Get one practical pet-nutrition tip per week — feeding calculators, breed guides, and vet-reviewed advice. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

👉 Try the Dog Calorie Calculator first — takes 60 seconds

❓ Common questions

Dog & Cat Calorie Questions, Answered

How accurate is the DIY Farmer calorie calculator?

DIY Farmer uses the standard veterinary formula RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75, multiplied by life-stage and body-condition factors drawn from NRC 2006 and WSAVA guidelines. Results sit within ±10–15% of true need for most pets — a strong starting point. Re-check body condition every 2–4 weeks and tweak portions if you see weight drift.

Should I enter current or ideal weight?

Always enter current weight. The calculator uses body condition score (BCS) to estimate the ideal weight and adjusts calories automatically — for maintenance, weight loss, or growth.

Who writes the content on DIY Farmer?

DIY Farmer is led by Dr. Marcus Whitfield, a small-animal nutrition specialist with three years of dedicated focus in companion-animal nutrition. Every article and calculator formula is cross-referenced against AAFCO, WSAVA, and NRC guidelines.

Does DIY Farmer sell my data?

No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. We don't collect, store or sell personal information from calculator users. See our privacy policy for details.

Is DIY Farmer a replacement for my veterinarian?

No — and never intended to be. DIY Farmer is an educational resource. For diagnosed conditions, prescription diets, surgical recovery, or any significant health concern, work with your veterinarian. We're the daily nutrition guide; your vet is the medical decision-maker.