#DOG CALORIE CALCULATOR HOW TO#
#DOG CALORIE CALCULATOR PLUS#

Table showing the daily calorie needs for typical dogs with an average activity level. This is the formula that the calculator above uses. You can combine the RER, MER, and multipliers for a more complete formula to calculate a dog’s calorie requirements.Ĭalories required = 70 × ideal weight kg 0.75 × multiplier Dog TypeĤ.0-8.0 *depends on the number of nursing puppies Maintenance energy multipliers based on the dog’s age, activity levels, and other needs. The table below includes some commonly used estimates for energy requirement multipliers for use with the calorie formula above. In addition to the RER, you’ll also need an adequate multiplier to account for some of the animal’s characteristics such as activity or age which influence their energy needs.

#DOG CALORIE CALCULATOR HOW TO#

How to Find the Maintenance Energy Requirement

If you are not sure what your pet should ideally weigh, as your veterinarian for assistance. It’s important to note that the weight for this formula is the dog’s ideal weight, not their current weight. This formula is commonly used to find RER and is also referred to as Kleiber’s Law. Hint: use our exponent calculator to find the 3/4 power for this equation if needed. The resting energy requirement (RER) is equal to 70 times the dog’s ideal weight in kilograms to the 0.75 power. You can find the resting energy requirement using the following widely adopted formula: The resting energy requirement (RER) is the energy required for basic body functions at rest, not including activity and exercise, similar to the BMR measurement for humans. How to Find the Resting Energy Requirement We’ll cover how to find both of these next. The maintenance energy requirement (MER) is equal to the resting energy requirement (RER) times the appropriate multiplier for the type of dog and their activity level. You can use the following formula to calculate the maintenance energy requirement. The maintenance energy requirement, or MER for short, is the amount of energy a dog needs to account for thermoregulation, activity, and exercise, similar to a TDEE measurement for humans. The number of calories they need each day is referred to as the maintenance energy requirement. The amount of energy a dog needs is measured in calories. With that disclaimer out of the way, a great way to estimate the calorie requirements for a dog is to use a formula.

Since every dog and their size, breed, activity, and medical situation is unique, it’s crucial that you and your vet monitor your dog’s nutrition closely and adjust as needed. While there are several widely adopted formulas to calculate calorie needs, the best results are simply an estimate or starting point.

There are several formulas that allow you to estimate your dog’s calorie requirements, but it’s important to keep in mind that there is no mathematical formula that can precisely determine how many calories they need. You’re probably here because you’re wondering how many calories should your dog eat and how much food do they need each day? So, it turns out that counting calories isn’t just for people. In fact, a 2018 survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) found that a whopping 56% of dogs were overweight or obese. It’s an often overlooked part of having a pup in the house, and many of us just guess at how much to feed them.

If you're looking for a more detailed nutritional breakdown of your pet's food, or want to make like-for-like comparisons between wet and dry foods, be sure to check out our dry matter basis calculator.How to Calculate Dog Calorie RequirementsĪs a dog owner, managing your best friend’s nutrition is one of the most important things you can do to maintain their health. However, it's important to remember that any information which is provided by the manufacturer will be the most accurate, and that guidance from your vet should always be sought if you're in doubt about your pet's health. The FEDIAF guidelines are - in our experience - the best way to predict the calorie content of a given food, and to estimate the energy requirements of adult cats and dogs. Note that these recommendations are intended for adults (not kittens or puppies) that are not pregnant or lactating. These guidelines are available in the October 2021 edition of the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines. Our calculator uses the Predictive Equations of NRC 2006 (also known as the 4-step method) to estimate the Metabolisable Energy of foods for cats and dogs, and formulas from FEDIAF (the European Pet Food Industry Federation) for estimating the Daily Energy Requirements (DER) of adult cats and dogs.

#DOG CALORIE CALCULATOR PLUS#

Total Daily Serving 1 meal s of 0 grams each Plus a maximum of calories of treats per day Total daily serving, with no treats How does it work?įirstly, remember that the figures provided above are only a starting point, and you should always consult your vet if you have concerns about your pet's health.

Dog calorie calculator