Trail Reference Β· Facts, not ratings

Dog Food Calorie Comparison

Calories per cup for 196 of the most popular dog foods, from 41 brands. Sort by density, filter by form, and find the lightest food to pack for the trail.

Don't see your food? Enter its calories/cup in the calculator.

Why the number matters

Calorie density ranges 201–520 kcal/cup across these foods. The same cup of two different foods can differ nearly — which is why a measuring cup misleads until you know your food. Denser food = fewer cups = lighter pack.

Lightest to pack

Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe

520 kcal/cup Β· most calorie-dense

Fewer cups for the same calories — least weight in the bag.

Heaviest to pack

Nom Nom Beef Mash

201 kcal/cup Β· most cups for the same calories

Form

Showing 196 of 196 foods

Brand Food Form kcal/cup kcal/oz Protein Grain-free Source
Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Dry 520 126 Chicken Yes Label
The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Grain Free Beef (dehydrated) Dehydrated 514 127 Beef Yes Label
Grandma Lucy's Pureformance Chicken (freeze-dried) Freeze-dried 492 108 Chicken β€” Label
The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Dehydrated Dehydrated 485 121 Chicken β€” Label
The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Whole Grain Chicken (dehydrated) Dehydrated 484 121 Chicken β€” Label
Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Dry 484 124 Chicken No Label
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused With Healthy Grains Pacific Catch Recipe Dry 477 108 β€” No Label
Orijen Puppy Dry 475 112 β€” β€” Label
Orijen Puppy Dry Dog Food (US) Dry 475 112 β€” β€” Label
Purina Pro Plan Sport Active 27/17 Chicken & Rice Dry 475 117 Chicken No Label
Orijen Original Dry 473 112 β€” β€” Label
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food (US) Dry 473 112 β€” β€” Label
The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Whole Grain Turkey (dehydrated) Dehydrated 470 118 Turkey β€” Label
Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Dry 468 102 Chicken β€” Label
Purina Pro Plan Specialized Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry 467 115 Salmon No Label
Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Dry 463 96 β€” β€” Label
Orijen Regional Red Dry 463 109 β€” β€” Label
Canidae PURE Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry 459 101 Salmon β€” Label
Instinct RawBoost Real Chicken Recipe (kibble + freeze-dried raw) Dry 459 109 Chicken β€” Label
Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Chicken & Rice Dry 456 119 Chicken No Label
Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry 455 104 Beef Yes Label
Orijen Six Fish Dry 451 107 Fish β€” Label
Orijen Six Fish Recipe (US) Dry 451 107 Fish β€” Label
Wellness Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry 450 111 Chicken No Label
Eukanuba Premium Performance 30/20 Sport Adult Dry Dog Food Dry 447 112 β€” β€” Label
The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Grain Free Chicken (dehydrated) Dehydrated 446 112 Chicken Yes Label
Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Formula Dry 446 99 Salmon Yes Label
Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Venison Dry 445 111 Bison β€” Label
Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Dry 436 102 Turkey Yes Label
Diamond Premium Formula for Dogs Dry 435 109 β€” β€” Label
Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Kibble Cage-Free Chicken Dry 435 105 Chicken β€” Label
Eukanuba Puppy Medium Breed Dry Dog Food Dry 431 111 β€” β€” Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Giant Adult Dry 427 112 β€” β€” Label
Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Dry 427 102 Chicken No Label
Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe Dry 427 102 Chicken No Label
Wellness CORE Original Grain-Free Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry 427 98 Turkey Yes Label
Acana Highest Protein Wild Prairie Recipe Dry 425 100 β€” β€” Label
Taste of the Wild Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl Dry 425 106 β€” β€” Label
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison Dry 422 105 Bison β€” Label
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Venison Dry 422 105 Bison β€” Label
Acana Highest Protein Grasslands Recipe Dry 421 100 β€” β€” Label
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Chicken & Rice Formula Dry 421 105 Chicken No Label
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Adult Salmon with Wholesome Grains Dry 420 103 Salmon No Label
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Adult Chicken with Wholesome Grains Dry 419 104 Chicken No Label
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Large Breed Adult Chicken with Wholesome Grains Dry 419 104 Chicken No Label
Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Chicken Dry 419 113 Chicken β€” Label
Fromm Gold Adult Dry 418 106 β€” β€” Label
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison Dry 415 104 Bison β€” Label
Instinct Raw Boost Adult Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Dry 412 106 Chicken Yes Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Puppy Dry 410 110 β€” β€” Label
Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe with Roasted Lamb Dry 410 102 Lamb β€” Label
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Chicken Recipe (Grain-Free) Dry 409 102 Chicken Yes Label
Fromm Classic Adult Dry 409 105 β€” β€” Label
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Turkey & Chicken Dry 409 104 Turkey Yes Label
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages Salmon & Potato Formula Dry 408 102 Salmon β€” Label
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Recipe with Smoke-Flavored Salmon Dry 408 102 Salmon β€” Label
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Recipe with Smoked Salmon Dry 408 102 Salmon β€” Label
Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Wild Boar Dry 408 102 β€” β€” Label
Purina Pro Plan Specialized Adult Large Breed Chicken & Rice Dry 407 108 Chicken No Label
Kirkland Signature Nature's Domain Salmon & Sweet Potato Formula Dry 406 101 Salmon β€” Label
Victor Hi-Pro Plus Dry 406 108 β€” β€” Label
Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Chicken Dry 405 98 Chicken β€” Label
Diamond Naturals Adult Dog Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Dry 403 101 Lamb No Label
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 400 105 Chicken No Label
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused With Healthy Grains Great Plains Red Recipe Dry 399 107 β€” No Label
Victor Performance Dry 399 106 β€” β€” Label
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Dog Chicken & Rice Formula Dry 397 99 Chicken No Label
Iams ProActive Health Puppy Healthy Development Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe Dry 397 107 Chicken β€” Label
Purina Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Dry 397 116 Chicken No Label
Purina Pro Plan Specialized Adult Small Breed Chicken & Rice Dry 397 116 Chicken No Label
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 396 104 Chicken No Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry 394 106 Chicken No Label
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe Grain Free Dry 394 105 β€” Yes Label
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Dry 394 111 β€” β€” Label
Fromm Four-Star Game Bird Dry 393 105 β€” β€” Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry 393 106 Chicken No Label
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry 393 106 Chicken No Label
Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe Dry 393 105 Chicken β€” Label
Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Chicken & Whole Grains Dry 393 105 Chicken No Label
Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Dry 393 106 Chicken No Label
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Dry 393 106 Chicken No Label
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry 391 103 Chicken No Label
American Journey Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry 390 101 Chicken Yes Label
Kirkland Signature Puppy Formula Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Dry 390 107 Chicken No Label
Purina ONE True Instinct High Protein Real Beef & Salmon Dry 390 112 Beef β€” Label
Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Dry 389 104 Beef Yes Label
Acana Heritage Meats (Red Meat Recipe) Dry 388 97 β€” β€” Label
Acana Singles Lamb & Apple Dry 388 97 Lamb β€” Label
Eukanuba Adult Medium Breed Chicken Dry 383 108 Chicken β€” Label
Eukanuba Adult Medium Breed Dry Dog Food Dry 383 108 β€” β€” Label
Purina ONE SmartBlend Adult Chicken & Rice Dry 383 113 Chicken No Label
Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry 381 102 Chicken Yes Label
Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry 381 102 Chicken Yes Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini Chicken Recipe Dry 380 106 Chicken β€” Label
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 378 103 Chicken No Label
Pro Pac Ultimates Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dry 375 105 Chicken No Label
Sojos Complete Chicken Recipe Adult (freeze-dried) Freeze-dried 373 108 Chicken β€” Label
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Adult Chicken & Potatoes Dry 373 102 Chicken Yes Label
Acana Wholesome Grains Free-Run Poultry Dry 371 96 β€” No Label
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Dry 369 107 Chicken No Label
Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef Dry 366 103 Beef β€” Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry 365 104 Chicken No Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry 365 104 Chicken No Label
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct with Real Turkey & Venison Dry 365 115 Turkey β€” Label
Purina ONE True Instinct High Protein Real Turkey & Venison Dry 365 115 Turkey β€” Label
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry 365 101 Chicken β€” Label
The Honest Kitchen Essential Clusters Whole Grain Chicken (baked dry) Dry 363 β€” Chicken β€” Label
Sojos Complete Beef Recipe Adult (freeze-dried) Freeze-dried 362 106 Beef β€” Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Adult Dry 360 106 β€” β€” Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Dry 359 106 β€” β€” Label
Victor Classic Multi-Pro Dry 359 96 β€” β€” Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry 357 105 Chicken No Label
Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 357 103 Chicken No Label
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry 356 102 Chicken β€” Label
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 355 100 Chicken No Label
Nature's Recipe Grain Free Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Dry 355 98 Chicken Yes Label
Purina Pro Plan Specialized Weight Management Chicken & Rice Dry 355 100 Chicken No Label
Iams ProActive Health Large Breed Adult with Real Chicken Dry 354 101 Chicken β€” Label
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Adult Dry 353 110 β€” β€” Label
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Turkey & Potato Adult Dry 352 99 Turkey Yes Label
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Turkey & Potato Adult Dry 352 99 Turkey Yes Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe Dry 352 101 Chicken No Label
Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry 352 94 Beef Yes Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Puppy Dry 349 103 β€” β€” Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry 349 109 β€” β€” Label
Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Food Sensitivities Dry 348 99 Chicken β€” Label
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 348 101 Chicken No Label
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry 343 103 Chicken No Label
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 342 96 Chicken No Label
Nutro Ultra Adult The Superfood Plate with a Trio of Proteins from Chicken, Lamb and Salmon Dry 341 100 Chicken β€” Label
Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry 340 101 Chicken β€” Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Adult Dry 340 103 β€” β€” Label
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Giant Puppy Dry 338 100 β€” β€” Label
Wellness CORE Large Breed Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry 336 98 Chicken Yes Label
Beneful Healthy Weight with Farm-Raised Chicken Dry 331 92 Chicken β€” Label
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition French Bulldog Adult Dry 331 109 β€” β€” Label
Kirkland Signature Mature Formula Chicken, Rice & Egg Dry 330 100 Chicken No Label
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry 327 99 Chicken No Label
Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Weight High-Protein Adult Dry 325 96 β€” β€” Label
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Fit & Healthy Weight Control Adult Chicken Dry 324 91 Chicken β€” Label
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry 324 109 β€” β€” Label
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Chihuahua Adult Dry 323 107 β€” β€” Label
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 322 93 Chicken No Label
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry 321 107 β€” β€” Label
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor Dry 314 97 Chicken No Label
Pedigree Complete Nutrition Adult Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Dry 309 95 Chicken No Label
Purina Beneful Healthy Weight with Farm-Raised Chicken Dry 306 89 Chicken β€” Label
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult Dry 306 99 β€” β€” Label
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Moderate Calorie Dry 306 99 β€” β€” Label
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Dry 305 97 β€” β€” Label
Iams ProActive Health Healthy Weight Adult Dry 304 96 β€” β€” Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry 298 90 Chicken No Label
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Golden Retriever Adult Dry 276 99 β€” β€” Label
Kirkland Signature Healthy Weight Formula Chicken & Vegetable Dry 275 88 Chicken β€” Label
Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dry 264 90 Chicken No Label
Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Morsels Harvest Chicken Freeze-dried 261 150 Chicken β€” Label
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management Chicken Flavor Dry 257 89 Chicken β€” Label
Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Digestive/Weight/Glucose/Urinary Management Chicken Flavor Dry 255 88 Chicken β€” Label
Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine Fresh 248 32 Chicken β€” Label
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry 247 91 β€” β€” Label
Nom Nom Turkey Fare Fresh 244 37 Turkey β€” Label
Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Morsels Grass-Fed Beef Freeze-dried 243 140 Beef β€” Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe Dry 243 84 Chicken No Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Large Breed Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe Dry 243 84 Chicken No Label
Open Farm RawMix Front Range Freeze-Dried Balanced Freeze-dried 237 135 β€” β€” Label
Instinct FreshDried Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-dried 235 133 Chicken β€” Label
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Weight Management Dry 224 83 β€” β€” Label
Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Morsels Surf & Turf (Salmon & Beef) Freeze-dried 218 126 Salmon β€” Label
Instinct FreshDried Raw Meals Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Freeze-dried 209 129 Beef β€” Label
Nom Nom Beef Mash Fresh 201 34 Beef β€” Label
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Tantalizing Turkey Freeze-dried β€” 145 Turkey β€” Label
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Stella's Super Beef Freeze-dried β€” 140 Beef β€” Label
Stella & Chewy's Stella's Super Beef Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Freeze-dried β€” 140 Beef β€” Label
Spot & Tango UnKibble Beef + Barley Dry β€” 136 Beef No Label
Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Nuggets Chicken Recipe Freeze-dried β€” 134 Chicken β€” Label
Stella & Chewy's Chewy's Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Freeze-dried β€” 125 Chicken β€” Label
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Chewy's Chicken Freeze-dried β€” 125 Chicken β€” Label
Spot & Tango UnKibble Turkey + Sweet Potato Dry β€” 124 Turkey β€” Label
Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Nuggets Turkey & Sardine Recipe Freeze-dried β€” 119 Turkey β€” Label
Spot & Tango UnKibble Cod + Salmon Dry β€” 119 Salmon β€” Label
Spot & Tango Fresh Turkey + Red Quinoa Fresh β€” 46 Turkey No Label
The Farmer's Dog Beef Recipe (fresh) Fresh β€” 45 Beef β€” Label
JustFoodForDogs Beef & Russet Potato (fresh frozen) Fresh β€” 44 Beef β€” Label
Ollie Fresh Beef Recipe Fresh β€” 44 Beef β€” Label
Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe Fresh β€” 44 Turkey β€” Label
A Pup Above Turkey Pawella Fresh β€” 43 Turkey β€” Label
JustFoodForDogs Chicken & White Rice (fresh frozen) Fresh β€” 43 Chicken No Label
A Pup Above Texas Beef Stew Fresh β€” 41 Beef β€” Label
A Pup Above Chicka Chicka Bow Wow (Chicken) Fresh β€” 39 Chicken β€” Label
The Farmer's Dog Pork Recipe (fresh) Fresh β€” 39 Pork β€” Label
Ollie Fresh Chicken Recipe Fresh β€” 37 Chicken β€” Label
The Farmer's Dog Chicken Recipe (fresh) Fresh β€” 37 Chicken β€” Label
A Pup Above Porky's Luau (Pork) Fresh β€” 35 Pork β€” Label
The Farmer's Dog Turkey Recipe (fresh) Fresh β€” 35 Turkey β€” Label
Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner with Chicken (13.2 oz can) Wet β€” 30 Chicken β€” Label
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley EntrΓ©e (13 oz can) Wet β€” 28 Chicken No Label

Tip: swipe the table sideways to see kcal/oz, protein, and source.

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Multi-day trips

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About this data

Every figure comes from a manufacturer AAFCO calorie content statement — the metabolizable-energy number US pet foods are required to print. Each row links straight to its source label so you can verify the number yourself. We publish facts, not ratings: this is a density reference, not a "best food" list. Where a label only prints kcal/kg, the kcal/oz column is a direct unit conversion of that same published number (1 kg = 35.274 oz). A dash (—) means the manufacturer doesn't publish that particular figure (for example, some fresh and freeze-dried foods are measured by weight, not cups). This is a curated list of popular foods, not every food on the market — if yours isn't here, the calculator accepts any kcal/cup from your bag.