How many calories does a neutered adult Shetland Sheepdog need?

At 20.1 lb, the verified feeding table lists 587 kcal per day for a Shetland Sheepdog (resting energy 367 kcal times a factor of 1.6).

How many calories does an intact adult Shetland Sheepdog need?

At 20.1 lb, the verified feeding table lists 660 kcal per day for a Shetland Sheepdog (resting energy 367 kcal times a factor of 1.8).

How many calories does a Shetland Sheepdog puppy under 4 months need?

At 20.1 lb, the verified feeding table lists 1100 kcal per day for a Shetland Sheepdog (resting energy 367 kcal times a factor of 3).

How many calories does the weight-loss row list for a Shetland Sheepdog?

At 20.1 lb, the verified feeding table lists 367 kcal per day for a Shetland Sheepdog (resting energy 367 kcal times a factor of 1).

Feeding calculator

How much to feed a Shetland Sheepdog

A 20 lb Shetland Sheepdog is the starting weight on this calculator, taken from the verified adult range (15–25 lb).

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Shetland Sheepdog dog — Photo: Stamatisclan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Daily portion

Dog food calculator: 615 kcal; 1.76 cups · 211 g · 2 meals
Merck chart, Adult, neutered: 586 kcal; Resting energy 366 kcal × 1.6, before the calculator's activity and size adjustment.

Lifespan12–14 years

Weight15–25 lb

SizeSmall GroupHerding Group

Resting energy at that weight is about 366 kcal per day. The Merck neutered-adult factor of 1.6 puts maintenance near 586 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 92 kcal higher than the 494 kcal for an average small breed at 16 lb.

Portions are a starting estimate. Shetland Sheepdog 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

Shetland Sheepdog 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
15 lb (6.8 kg)	295 kcal	472 kcal	531 kcal	884 kcal	590 kcal	295 kcal
17.4 lb (7.9 kg)	330 kcal	528 kcal	594 kcal	990 kcal	660 kcal	330 kcal
20.1 lb (9.1 kg)Current weight	367 kcal	587 kcal	660 kcal	1100 kcal	734 kcal	367 kcal
22.5 lb (10.2 kg)	400 kcal	639 kcal	719 kcal	1199 kcal	799 kcal	400 kcal
24.9 lb (11.3 kg)	431 kcal	690 kcal	777 kcal	1294 kcal	863 kcal	431 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 Shetland Sheepdog: 15–25 lb. This page starts the calculator at 20 lb.

Sources

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