1. What is Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER)?

The Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) is the number of calories a dog needs daily to maintain its current weight. It accounts for the dog's weight, age, activity level, and physiological status.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MER equation:

Where:

• \( weight_{kg} \) — Dog's weight in kilograms
• \( factor \) — Activity/physiological factor

Activity Factors:

• 1.8 — Puppy (0-4 months)
• 1.6 — Puppy (4-12 months)
• 1.4 — Active adult dog
• 1.2 — Neutered adult dog
• 1.0 — Sedentary/older dog
• 2.0 — Working/athletic dog
• 3.0 — Pregnant/lactating dog

3. Importance of Proper Calorie Calculation

Details: Accurate calorie calculation helps prevent obesity (from overfeeding) or malnutrition (from underfeeding). It's essential for weight management and overall health.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Weigh your dog accurately. Select the appropriate factor based on your dog's life stage and activity level. For weight loss, reduce MER by 10-20%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How often should I recalculate my dog's MER?
A: Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes by 10% or more, or if their activity level/life stage changes significantly.

Q2: Why is weight raised to the 0.75 power?
A: This accounts for the non-linear relationship between body size and metabolic rate (metabolic scaling).

Q3: What if my dog is overweight?
A: Use their ideal weight, not current weight, and consult your vet for a weight loss plan.

Q4: Are there breed-specific differences?
A: Some breeds may have slightly different metabolic rates. Giant breeds may need fewer calories per kg than small breeds.

Q5: Should I feed exactly the MER amount?
A: MER is a starting point. Monitor your dog's weight and adjust as needed based on their individual metabolism and activity.