1. What is the Homemade Cooked Dog Food Calculator?

This calculator helps determine the appropriate amount of homemade cooked food to feed your dog based on their daily energy requirements and the calorie content of the food you prepare.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• MER — Maintenance Energy Requirement (your dog's daily calorie needs)
• Cooked kcal per unit — The calorie content of your homemade food per unit (cup, gram, etc.)

Explanation: The calculation divides your dog's daily calorie needs by the calorie density of your homemade food to determine how much to feed.

3. Importance of Proper Food Measurement

Details: Properly measuring your dog's food is crucial for maintaining optimal weight and health. Homemade diets require careful calculation to ensure nutritional adequacy.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Determine your dog's MER (consult your vet or use a dog calorie calculator)
• Calculate the calorie content of your homemade recipe per unit (cup, gram, etc.)
• Enter both values to get the daily food 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 use a reputable online calculator.

Q2: How do I calculate calories in homemade food?
A: Sum the calories of all ingredients, then divide by the number of units (cups, grams) the recipe makes.

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.

Q4: Do I need to adjust for cooking losses?
A: Yes, cooking can change food density and water content. Weigh food after cooking for most accurate measurements.

Q5: Is homemade food nutritionally complete?
A: Homemade diets often require supplements. Consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure balanced nutrition.