How many calories does a neutered adult Border Terrier need?

At 13.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 435 kcal per day for a Border Terrier (resting energy 272 kcal times a factor of 1.6).

How many calories does an intact adult Border Terrier need?

At 13.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 489 kcal per day for a Border Terrier (resting energy 272 kcal times a factor of 1.8).

How many calories does a Border Terrier puppy under 4 months need?

At 13.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 815 kcal per day for a Border Terrier (resting energy 272 kcal times a factor of 3).

How many calories does the weight-loss row list for a Border Terrier?

At 13.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 272 kcal per day for a Border Terrier (resting energy 272 kcal times a factor of 1).

Feeding calculator

How much to feed a Border Terrier

A 13.5 lb Border Terrier is the starting weight on this calculator, taken from the verified adult range (13–15.5 lb (male), 11.5–14 lb (female)).

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Border Terrier dog — Photo: DaisyField · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Daily portion

Dog food calculator: 458 kcal; 1.31 cups · 157 g · 2 meals
Merck chart, Adult, neutered: 435 kcal; Resting energy 272 kcal × 1.6, before the calculator's activity and size adjustment.

Lifespan12–15 years

Weight13–15.5 lb (male), 11.5–14 lb (female)

SizeSmall GroupTerrier Group

Resting energy at that weight is about 272 kcal per day. The Merck neutered-adult factor of 1.6 puts maintenance near 435 kcal before activity is added. The dog food calculator on this page uses that same resting-energy formula, then applies the activity and size adjustments from the main dog food calculator.

Reading the portions

Compared with other single-size small breeds, that neutered-adult portion is 59 kcal lower than the 494 kcal for an average small breed at 16 lb.

Portions are a starting estimate. Border Terrier individuals can vary by body condition, neuter status, and how much they work. Adjust the bowl from what you see on the ribs, not from the table alone.

Feeding table from the verified weight chart

RER=70*kg^0.75; MER=RER*factor. Starting estimate only; individuals vary up to 50%; adjust by body condition

Border Terrier adults maintenance energy

Swipe sideways to read every column.

Weight	RER	Adult, neutered	Adult, intact	Puppy under 4 months	Puppy 4 months and older	Weight loss
11.5 lb (5.2 kg)	241 kcal	386 kcal	434 kcal	723 kcal	482 kcal	241 kcal
12.6 lb (5.7 kg)	258 kcal	413 kcal	465 kcal	775 kcal	516 kcal	258 kcal
13.4 lb (6.1 kg)Current weight	272 kcal	435 kcal	489 kcal	815 kcal	543 kcal	272 kcal
14.6 lb (6.6 kg)	288 kcal	461 kcal	519 kcal	865 kcal	576 kcal	288 kcal
15.4 lb (7 kg)	301 kcal	482 kcal	542 kcal	904 kcal	602 kcal	301 kcal