Dog food cost per month
Enter your dog's weight and life stage, then the price and size of the bag and the calories on its label. The calculator works out how much food your dog needs each day and what it costs per day, per month and per year.
About $453.34 a year
- Per day
- $1.24
- Food a day
- 307 g
- One bag lasts
- 44 days
- Daily calories
- 1,076 kcal
Monthly dog food cost by weight
An example for an adult neutered dog, a 30 lb bag at $55 and food of 3,500 kcal per kg. The table updates with the numbers you enter above.
| Dog weight (lb) | Food a day (g) | Cost a day | Cost a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 59 | $0.24 | $7.27 |
| 10 | 99 | $0.40 | $12.22 |
| 20 | 167 | $0.68 | $20.55 |
| 30 | 227 | $0.92 | $27.86 |
| 40 | 281 | $1.14 | $34.57 |
| 50 | 333 | $1.34 | $40.86 |
| 60 | 381 | $1.54 | $46.85 |
| 70 | 428 | $1.73 | $52.59 |
| 80 | 473 | $1.91 | $58.13 |
| 100 | 559 | $2.26 | $68.72 |
How the cost is worked out
The calorie formula is the standard veterinary one used in the dog calorie calculator. A month is counted as 30.4 days. The result covers the main food only and leaves out treats, toppings and any wet food.
Ways to lower the cost
- Feed by weight and calories, not by the scoop. The cups to grams calculator shows the real amount, and overfeeding is a common hidden cost.
- Compare foods by price per 1,000 kcal and not by price per bag. A cheaper bag with fewer calories per kg can cost more to feed.
- Check your dog's weight. A dog above its ideal weight eats more than it needs, so use the body condition check.
Questions
How much does it cost to feed a dog per month?
It depends on the weight of the dog and on the food. In the example above, a 45 lb adult dog on a 30 lb bag at $55 costs about $37.76 a month. Enter your own numbers to see yours.
How long does a bag of dog food last?
Divide the bag weight by the food your dog eats each day. The calculator shows this as the number of days one bag lasts.
Does a bigger dog cost more to feed?
Yes, but not in a straight line. Calorie needs grow more slowly than body weight, so a dog twice as heavy needs less than twice as much food.
How much should I feed my dog?
See how much to feed a dog for cups and cans, and the puppy feeding chart for puppies.
Is this exact?
No. It is an estimate from the standard formula. Dogs vary in activity and metabolism, and prices change, so use it for planning.
Sources
- Hill's Pet Nutrition, Estimated Energy Requirements for Dogs and Cats (resting energy requirement and life stage multipliers).
Last reviewed 2026-10-26. This page is general information and not veterinary advice.