How Many Calories Should a 55 lb Labrador Retriever Eat?
Free RER/MER estimate for a 55 lb (24.95 kg) labrador 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 .
Quick answer
A 55 lb labrador 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 Labrador 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.
| 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 |
Labrador Retriever-specific notes at this weight
Labrador Retrievers are food-motivated sporting dogs with a well-documented predisposition to obesity. Working lines may run leaner than show lines; always pair breed weight charts with a hands-on BCS rather than relying on the bag's "per cup" guide alone.
A double coat can soften the look of the waist. Part the coat along the ribs and lumbar spine — you should feel ribs easily under a thin fat layer at BCS 4–5/9, with a visible tuck from the side.
Active Labs often need ~1.4 × RER at maintenance; couch-potato Labs after neutering commonly need closer to 1.2 × RER. Treats, training rewards, and stolen cat food are frequent hidden calories.
Ideal adult range: male 64–79 lb, female 55–71 lb. Confirm with the dog BCS tool.
Adjust with the full calculator
Neutered status, activity, and your food's exact kcal/100g.
Labrador Retriever breed guide
Ideal weight, growth timeline, and BCS landmarks.
Save this calorie plan & share with your household
The Paws & Pounds app saves your labrador retriever's kcal target, logs meals so nobody double-feeds, and charts weight trends to share with your vet.
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