1. What is the Dog Food Calculator?

The Dog Food Calculator helps you determine the proper amount of homemade dog food to feed based on your dog's energy requirements and the calorie density of your custom food recipe.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( MER \) — Maintenance Energy Requirement (kcal/day)
• \( \text{Custom kcal per unit} \) — Energy density of your homemade food (kcal/unit)

Explanation: The calculation determines how many units of your custom food are needed to meet your dog's daily energy requirements.

3. Importance of Proper Dog Food Calculation

Details: Properly calculating homemade dog food portions is essential for maintaining your dog's ideal weight and ensuring they receive adequate nutrition without overfeeding or underfeeding.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Determine your dog's MER (consult your vet or use a MER calculator)
• Calculate the kcal per unit of your homemade recipe (total recipe kcal 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 a dog MER calculator.

Q2: What counts as a "unit" of food?
A: A unit can be any consistent measurement - cups, grams, ounces, etc. Just be consistent with how you measure your recipe.

Q3: Should I adjust for my dog's weight goals?
A: Yes, for weight loss use 80% of MER, for weight gain use 120% of MER. Always consult your vet for significant weight changes.

Q4: How often should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes by 10% or more, or if you change your recipe significantly.

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