1. What is the Homemade Dog Food Calculator?

The Homemade Dog Food Calculator helps determine how much homemade food your dog needs daily based on their energy requirements and the calorie content of your homemade food recipe.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• MER — Maintenance Energy Requirement (your dog's daily calorie needs)
• Homemade kcal per unit — Calories in each unit of your homemade food

Explanation: The calculation divides your dog's total daily energy needs by the energy content of your homemade food to determine how many units to feed.

3. Importance of Proper Dog Food Calculation

Details: Proper portioning ensures your dog gets the right amount of nutrients without overfeeding (which can lead to obesity) or underfeeding (which can cause malnutrition).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Determine your dog's MER (consult your vet or use a dog calorie calculator)
• Calculate the calories per unit of your homemade recipe (total recipe calories divided by number of units)
• Enter both values to get your daily feeding amount

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine my dog's MER?
A: MER depends on weight, age, activity level, and health status. Your veterinarian can help calculate this, or you can use online calculators.

Q2: What counts as a "unit" of homemade food?
A: A unit can be any consistent measurement - cups, grams, ounces, etc. Just be consistent in how you measure both the recipe and daily portions.

Q3: Should I adjust for my dog's weight goals?
A: Yes, if your dog needs to gain or lose weight, adjust the MER accordingly (typically ±10-20% of maintenance calories).

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This calculates quantity but not nutritional balance. Homemade diets should be nutritionally complete - consult a veterinary nutritionist.

Q5: How often should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes significantly or you change your homemade recipe.