How many calories does a neutered adult Rat Terrier need?

At 17.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 528 kcal per day for a Rat Terrier (resting energy 330 kcal times a factor of 1.6).

How many calories does an intact adult Rat Terrier need?

At 17.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 594 kcal per day for a Rat Terrier (resting energy 330 kcal times a factor of 1.8).

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

At 17.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 990 kcal per day for a Rat Terrier (resting energy 330 kcal times a factor of 3).

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

At 17.4 lb, the verified feeding table lists 330 kcal per day for a Rat Terrier (resting energy 330 kcal times a factor of 1).

Feeding calculator

How much to feed a Rat Terrier

A 17.5 lb Rat Terrier is the starting weight on this calculator, taken from the verified adult range (10–25 lb).

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Rat Terrier dog — Photo: Macboots at English Wikipedia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Daily portion

Dog food calculator: 556 kcal; 1.59 cups · 191 g · 2 meals
Merck chart, Adult, neutered: 530 kcal; Resting energy 331 kcal × 1.6, before the calculator's activity and size adjustment.

Lifespan12–18 years

Weight10–25 lb

SizeSmall GroupTerrier Group

Resting energy at that weight is about 331 kcal per day. The Merck neutered-adult factor of 1.6 puts maintenance near 530 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 36 kcal higher than the 494 kcal for an average small breed at 16 lb.

Portions are a starting estimate. Rat 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

Rat 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
9.9 lb (4.5 kg)	216 kcal	346 kcal	389 kcal	649 kcal	433 kcal	216 kcal
13.7 lb (6.2 kg)	275 kcal	440 kcal	495 kcal	825 kcal	550 kcal	275 kcal
17.4 lb (7.9 kg)Current weight	330 kcal	528 kcal	594 kcal	990 kcal	660 kcal	330 kcal
21.2 lb (9.6 kg)	382 kcal	611 kcal	687 kcal	1145 kcal	764 kcal	382 kcal
24.9 lb (11.3 kg)	431 kcal	690 kcal	777 kcal	1294 kcal	863 kcal	431 kcal