Blog
Everyday dog and cat questions, answered with real numbers. Each post walks through one of our free calculators, cites its sources and says when to call your vet. For deeper reference pages, see our guides.
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How Many Calories Does a Cat Need a Day? Chart by Weight and Age
A neutered 10 lb indoor cat needs about 260 kcal a day by the vet formula. See a cat calorie chart by weight, kitten and senior needs, and WSAVA’s ranges.
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How Many Calories Does a Dog Need a Day? Chart, Formula and Examples
A typical neutered 50 lb dog needs about 1,020 kcal a day to start. See a dog calorie chart by weight and activity, and how AAHA, WSAVA and Merck compare.
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When Is a Dog Considered a Senior? Senior Age by Size and Breed
Dogs become seniors in the last 25% of their expected lifespan: about 10 for small dogs, 8 for large and 6 for giants. See ages by size and breed.
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Cat Years to Human Years: Chart, Formula and Life Stages
A 1-year-old cat is about 15 in human years and a 2-year-old about 24, then add 4 a year. See the full vet chart, life stages and senior care tips.
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How Fast Should a Dog Lose Weight? Safe Rate and Timeline
A dog should lose about 1–2% of its body weight a week, or ½–1 lb a week for a 50 lb dog. See a chart by weight, a worked plan and when to slow down.
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How Many Treats Can a Dog Have a Day? The 10% Rule, Worked Out
Treats should be no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories, about 50 kcal for a 20 lb dog. See treat budgets by weight and calories in common treats.
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How Much Water Should a Dog Drink a Day? Chart by Weight
A healthy dog drinks about 50–60 mL of water per kg a day, roughly an ounce per pound. See a chart by weight and when drinking too much is a warning sign.
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How Often to Feed a Puppy: Feeding Schedule by Age
How often to feed a puppy: 4 meals a day at 6–12 weeks, 3 meals from 3 to 6 months, then 2. See a schedule by age, portion examples and when to switch.