How many calories does a neutered adult Great Dane need?

At 142.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 2552 kcal per day for a Great Dane (resting energy 1595 kcal times a factor of 1.6).

How many calories does an intact adult Great Dane need?

At 142.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 2871 kcal per day for a Great Dane (resting energy 1595 kcal times a factor of 1.8).

How many calories does a Great Dane puppy under 4 months need?

At 142.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 4785 kcal per day for a Great Dane (resting energy 1595 kcal times a factor of 3).

How many calories does the weight-loss row list for a Great Dane?

At 142.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 1595 kcal per day for a Great Dane (resting energy 1595 kcal times a factor of 1).

Feeding calculator

How much to feed a Great Dane

A 142.5 lb Great Dane is the starting weight on this calculator, taken from the verified adult range (140–175 lb (male), 110–140 lb (female)).

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Great Dane dog — Photo: Karen Arnold · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Daily portion

Dog food calculator: 2298 kcal; 6.57 cups · 788 g · 2 meals
Merck chart, Adult, neutered: 2554 kcal; Resting energy 1596 kcal × 1.6, before the calculator's activity and size adjustment.

Lifespan7–10 years

Weight140–175 lb (male), 110–140 lb (female)

SizeGiant GroupWorking Group

Resting energy at that weight is about 1596 kcal per day. The Merck neutered-adult factor of 1.6 puts maintenance near 2554 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 giant breeds, that neutered-adult portion is 365 kcal higher than the 2189 kcal for an average giant breed at 116 lb.

Portions are a starting estimate. Great Dane 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

Great Dane 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
110 lb (49.9 kg)	1314 kcal	2103 kcal	2366 kcal	3943 kcal	2628 kcal	1314 kcal
126.3 lb (57.3 kg)	1458 kcal	2333 kcal	2624 kcal	4374 kcal	2916 kcal	1458 kcal
142.4 lb (64.6 kg)Current weight	1595 kcal	2552 kcal	2871 kcal	4785 kcal	3190 kcal	1595 kcal
158.7 lb (72 kg)	1730 kcal	2768 kcal	3114 kcal	5191 kcal	3460 kcal	1730 kcal
175 lb (79.4 kg)	1862 kcal	2979 kcal	3351 kcal	5586 kcal	3724 kcal	1862 kcal

The highlighted row follows the weight in the calculator above.

Frequently asked

Questions from the breed record

Use the verified adult weight for a Great Dane: 140–175 lb (male), 110–140 lb (female). This page starts the calculator at 142.5 lb.

Sources

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