How do I calculate a weight loss plan for both my cat and my dog without visiting a vet or buying a smart scale?

Paws & Pounds is 100% software-based. Use your regular home scale, complete our visual 9-point BCS assessment, and our algorithm calculates the exact RER/DER daily calories and portion size in grams. No smart scale, no vet visit required for initial assessment.

Is the Paws & Pounds app free to use?

Yes! The free tier lets you manage 1 pet, track unlimited weight entries, use the visual BCS tool, and get a daily feeding plan. Paws & Pounds Pro ($4.99/month or $29.99/year) unlocks unlimited pets, household collaboration, advanced analytics, and CSV export.

Can my partner also log feeding times?

Absolutely. Paws & Pounds Pro includes Household Collaboration — invite family members by email, and everyone in the household can log feedings, record weights, and see real-time status so nobody accidentally double-feeds your pet.

What is a Body Condition Score (BCS) and why is it better than weight alone?

Body Condition Score is a veterinary-standard 9-point scale that evaluates your pet's fat coverage through visual and hands-on checks. Unlike weight alone, BCS accounts for breed, frame size, and muscle mass. A 12-pound Maine Coon may be underweight while a 12-pound Siamese could be obese — BCS captures this difference.

How does Paws & Pounds compare to PetDesk, Pet Weight Tracker, or spreadsheet tracking?

Unlike general-purpose apps or spreadsheets, Paws & Pounds combines visual BCS assessment, veterinary-grade RER/DER calorie math, and a daily feeding plan in grams — all in one app. It covers 270+ breeds across cats and dogs, supports household collaboration, and gives you actionable portion sizes instead of just weight charts.

Which breeds does Paws & Pounds support?

Paws & Pounds includes a database of over 270 dog and cat breeds with breed-specific ideal weight ranges. If your pet is a mixed breed, you can enter a custom target weight based on your vet's recommendation.

How accurate is the calorie calculation?

Paws & Pounds uses the same RER (Resting Energy Requirement) and DER (Daily Energy Requirement) formulas used by veterinary nutritionists worldwide: RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75. We then apply species-specific, age, and neutered/intact multipliers to compute the daily calorie target.

Can I use Paws & Pounds for a puppy or kitten?

Yes. The app includes life-stage multipliers for kittens and puppies, which have higher energy requirements than adults. Select the appropriate life stage during pet setup and the feeding plan adjusts automatically.

Is my pet's data secure?

All data is stored in a secure, encrypted Supabase database with row-level security. Data is bound to your household — only invited household members can access it. We never sell or share your data with third parties.

What if my pet has a medical condition affecting their weight?

Paws & Pounds provides general nutritional guidance based on established veterinary formulas. If your pet has diabetes, thyroid issues, kidney disease, or other medical conditions, always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes. The app's feeding plan is a starting point, not a replacement for professional veterinary advice.

How many grams of food for a 55 lb golden retriever?

Divide the main-food calorie budget by your food's kcal per 100 g, then multiply by 100. Example tables on this page use sample dry (~350 kcal/100g) and wet (~80 kcal/100g) densities — always use your bag label.

How Many Calories Should a 55 lb Golden Retriever Eat?

Free RER/MER estimate for a 55 lb (24.95 kg) golden retriever — daily kcal, treat allowance, and grams for sample foods. No sign-up.

By Paws & Pounds Research Team — reviewed against WSAVA/AAHA guidelines. Last updated August 1, 2026.

Quick answer

A 55 lb golden retriever has an estimated RER of about 781 kcal/day. Typical neutered maintenance is around 938 kcal/day; a weight-loss starting point is about 781 kcal/day. Estimate only — consult your vet before changing your pet's diet.

Daily calories for a 55 lb Golden Retriever

Daily calorie targets for a 55 lb Golden Retriever
Goal	Multiplier	Daily kcal	Main food (90%)	Treats (10%)
RER = 70 × weight_kg^0.75 ≈ 781 kcal/day
Weight loss	× 1	781	703	78
Neutered, low activity	× 1.2	938	844	94
Neutered, moderate activity	× 1.4	1094	985	109
Intact / working	× 1.6	1250	1125	125

Grams per day (sample foods)

Converted from the 90% main-food budget using sample calorie densities. Replace with your bag's kcal/100g for accuracy — or use our cup to grams converter.

Grams per day for a 55 lb Golden Retriever
Food type	kcal / 100 g	Grams (maintain)	Grams (weight loss)
Standard dry kibbleTypical adult maintenance dry food	350	241 g	201 g
Light / weight-management dryLower-calorie dry formulas	300	281 g	234 g
Wet / canned foodAverage pâté-style wet food	80	1055 g	879 g

Golden Retriever-specific notes at this weight

Golden Retrievers share the Labrador's appetite drive and obesity risk. Feathering and a thick coat can conceal early fat gain for months. Monthly weigh-ins plus BCS checks catch creep before joints and stamina decline.

Long feathering on the chest and hindquarters can hide a disappearing waist. Use your hands: ribs should be palpable without digging, and there should be an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side.

Neutered adult Goldens at moderate activity often sit near 1.2–1.4 × RER. If weight stalls, audit dental chews and "just one" table scraps before cutting meals further.

Ideal adult range: male 66–75 lb, female 55–66 lb. Confirm with the dog BCS tool.

Adjust with the full calculator

Neutered status, activity, and your food's exact kcal/100g.

Golden Retriever breed guide

Ideal weight, growth timeline, and BCS landmarks.

Save this calorie plan & share with your household

The Paws & Pounds app saves your golden retriever's kcal target, logs meals so nobody double-feeds, and charts weight trends to share with your vet.

Download on the App Store Explore free tools

Sources & further reading

WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines — World Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2021
2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats — American Animal Hospital Association, 2014