Dog Maintenance Fluid Rate Calculator

Plan precise hydration for dogs with an interactive calculator that adapts to weight formula choice and ongoing losses to estimate daily and hourly volumes with unit conversion export options and clear guidance designed to support veterinary decision making and owner education while emphasizing clinical judgment and safety for real world use across settings everywhere

Inputs
If you enter pounds, the calculator converts to kilograms automatically.
Choose a maintenance method appropriate for the patient.
Optional estimate of deficit. Example: 5% = 0.05.
Commonly over 12–24 hours, adjust to clinical context.
Vomiting, diarrhea, drains, polyuria, etc.
Formula used

This tool estimates maintenance fluid requirements for dogs and lets you add a dehydration deficit and ongoing losses. Choose one of the following maintenance methods:

  • 60 × kg per day (≈2.5 mL/kg/hr): Maintenanceday = 60 × weightkg
  • 132 × kg0.75 per day: Maintenanceday = 132 × weightkg0.75
  • Hourly factor: Maintenanceday = factor × weightkg × 24

Deficit (mL) is estimated by: Deficit = weightkg × (% dehydration ÷ 100) × 1000. Replace over a chosen number of hours.

Ongoing losses are added to maintenance (per day). The tool shows Day 1 values with proportional deficit (if replacement spans beyond 24 hours) and Day 2 rates after the deficit is resolved.

Clinical judgment required: This calculator is an educational aid and does not replace veterinary assessment, monitoring, or individualized therapy.
How to use this calculator
  1. Enter the dog's weight and unit.
  2. Select a maintenance formula. If using the hourly method, set a factor (mL/kg/hr).
  3. Optionally add dehydration percent and choose hours to replace the deficit.
  4. Add ongoing losses (mL/day) if present.
  5. Click Calculate to view daily and hourly plans for Day 1 and Day 2.
  6. Use Download Results CSV or Download Results PDF to save your plan.
Example data table
# Name Weight (kg) Method Dehydration % Losses (mL/day) Maint (mL/day) Total Day 1 (mL) Rate Day 1 (mL/hr) Rate Day 2 (mL/hr) Load

Click Load to copy a row into the form and recalculate.

FAQs
Which maintenance formula should I choose?

The 60 × kg/day method is simple and commonly used. The 132 × kg^0.75/day method scales by metabolic mass and can better fit very small or large dogs. Use the hourly method when an explicit mL/kg/hr target is desired.

How do I estimate dehydration percentage?

Use clinical signs and exam findings. For example, mild dehydration around 5% shows subtle skin tenting; severe dehydration shows marked tenting, dry mucous membranes, and other abnormalities. Always confirm with your veterinarian and lab data when possible.

Does this include shock or resuscitation fluids?

No. Emergency boluses and resuscitation protocols are separate from maintenance and deficit replacement and should follow appropriate guidelines and monitoring.

Can I use this for puppies?

Neonates and young puppies have different physiology and fluid needs. Use caution and consult pediatric references; this tool is optimized for general adult canine maintenance planning.

How are pounds converted?

The calculator converts pounds to kilograms as: kg = lb ÷ 2.20462.

Is this medical advice?

No. This tool is for education and planning support only. It does not establish a veterinarian–client–patient relationship.

Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.