How do I read the calorie content on a dog food label?

Reputable brands are generally expected to include a calorie statement somewhere on the packaging, though its exact wording and placement vary. It is often near the feeding guidelines chart or close to the ingredient list.

If you genuinely cannot find it on the bag, check the brand's website or contact their customer service, since this information should be available even if the physical label is unclear.

Calories per kilogram divided by 10 gives calories per 100g, which is the unit most useful for everyday portion calculations since it matches how most kitchen scales measure food.

Calories per cup is less standardized, since cup size and kibble density vary, so converting to a per 100g figure, even by weighing a cup and doing the math, gives a more reliable number to work from.

Once you have calories per 100g, divide your dog's daily calorie target by that number and multiply by 100 to get the daily grams needed.

This same number lets you compare two different foods fairly, since a food with a higher calorie content per 100g means a smaller daily portion for the same energy, which is worth knowing if bowl size or cost per feeding matters to you. Keeping a note of each food's figure also makes future comparisons quicker if you ever consider switching brands again down the line for any reason.