How much does it cost to feed your dog? It depends on two things: how much your dog needs to eat, and what you pay per kilo. This calculator works out both. Enter your dog’s weight and activity level, pick a food type, and see grams per day and the cost per day, month and year.
It also compares every food type for your dog side by side, so you can see the real gap between supermarket kibble and premium, raw or fresh. Typical prices come from our dog food cost guide.
Dog Food Cost Calculator
How much your dog eats, and what it costs per day, month and year on budget, premium, raw or fresh food.
Bag price divided by bag weight. We fill in a typical price for each type.
Same dog, every food type, per month
Daily amounts use a standard energy formula for adult dogs (about 1.6 times resting energy needs) and typical energy density for each food type. Always check the feeding guide on your bag and your dog’s body condition. Typical prices are from our dog food cost guide (2026).
How this calculator works
Daily food is worked out from your dog’s energy needs, not a flat percentage of body weight:
- Resting energy = 70 x (weight in kg to the power of 0.75). An average adult dog needs about 1.6 times that, a couch potato about 1.3 and a very active dog about 2.
- Dry kibble has about 3.6 calories per gram, raw about 1.8 and fresh cooked food about 1.5, which is why you feed much more of a raw or fresh diet by weight.
- Cost = grams per day x your price per kilo. Each food type starts with a typical Australian price per kilo, but you can drag the slider to match the bag you actually buy.
Puppies, pregnant dogs and seniors have different needs. Use the result as a budget guide and the feeding chart on your bag for portions.
Where the numbers come from
Every figure in this calculator comes from our own researched guides, which list their sources and are re-checked against current Australian prices. The main one is Dog food cost in Australia. Related guides:
Prices last checked 13 October 2026. See how we research our prices.
Common questions
How much does it cost to feed a dog per month in Australia?
A medium 20kg dog costs about $35 a month on budget dry food, $65 to $110 on mid-range or premium dry, and $180 to $270 on raw or fresh food. Small dogs cost much less, and large breeds can be double.
How much should my dog eat a day?
An average 20kg adult dog eats roughly 290g of dry kibble a day. Because raw and fresh foods contain more water, the same dog needs about 550 to 700g a day of those.
Is premium dog food worth the extra cost?
Often, but not always. Premium foods are more digestible, so you feed less per day, and some dogs do noticeably better on them. Read our premium vs supermarket dog food breakdown.
What is the cheapest way to feed a dog well?
A mid-range complete dry food bought in large bags, on subscription or on sale is usually the best value. Check the bag says ‘complete and balanced’ and meets the AAFCO or Australian standard.