1. What is the Hills Dog Food Calculator?

The Hills Dog Food Calculator helps determine the appropriate daily amount of Hills dog food to feed based on your dog's maintenance energy requirements (MER) and the calorie content of the specific Hills product.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following simple formula:

Where:

• MER — Maintenance Energy Requirement (your dog's daily calorie needs)
• Hills kcal per cup — Calorie content of the specific Hills dog food product

Explanation: This calculation ensures your dog receives the precise amount of food needed to meet their energy requirements without overfeeding.

3. Importance of Proper Dog Food Measurement

Details: Accurate food measurement is crucial for maintaining your dog's ideal weight and health. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, while underfeeding can cause nutritional deficiencies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Determine your dog's MER (consult your veterinarian for the most accurate calculation)
• Check the kcal per cup information on your Hills dog food package (default is 363 kcal/cup for many Hills products)
• Enter both values to get the recommended daily amount

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine my dog's MER?
A: MER depends on factors like weight, age, activity level, and neuter status. Your veterinarian can calculate this, or you can use standard formulas based on your dog's weight.

Q2: What if my Hills product has a different kcal per cup?
A: Always check the specific product's nutritional information as calorie content varies between formulas. Update the calculator with the correct value.

Q3: Should I feed this amount all at once?
A: Most dogs do better with 2-3 smaller meals per day rather than one large meal. Divide the daily amount accordingly.

Q4: How often should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes significantly, activity level changes, or if you switch to a different Hills product.

Q5: Is this calculator suitable for puppies?
A: Puppies have different nutritional needs. Consult your veterinarian for puppy feeding recommendations.