How many calories does a neutered adult Cairn Terrier need?

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

How many calories does an intact adult Cairn Terrier need?

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

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

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

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

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

Feeding calculator

How much to feed a Cairn Terrier

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

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Cairn Terrier dog — Photo: Ronald Müller-Hagen ( Ketterechts ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · 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.

Lifespan13–15 years

Weight14 lb (male), 13 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. Cairn 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

Cairn 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
13 lb (5.9 kg)	265 kcal	424 kcal	477 kcal	795 kcal	530 kcal	265 kcal
13.2 lb (6 kg)	268 kcal	429 kcal	483 kcal	805 kcal	537 kcal	268 kcal
13.4 lb (6.1 kg)Current weight	272 kcal	435 kcal	489 kcal	815 kcal	543 kcal	272 kcal
13.7 lb (6.2 kg)	275 kcal	440 kcal	495 kcal	825 kcal	550 kcal	275 kcal
13.9 lb (6.3 kg)	278 kcal	445 kcal	501 kcal	835 kcal	557 kcal	278 kcal