Dog Nutritional Needs:
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RER (Resting Energy Requirement) is the number of calories a dog needs at complete rest. MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) is the actual caloric need including activity level and life stage factors.
The calculator uses these equations:
Where:
Explanation: The equation accounts for metabolic scaling where larger animals need relatively fewer calories per kilogram than smaller animals.
Details: Accurate calorie calculation helps prevent obesity or malnutrition, supports growth in puppies, and meets energy needs for working dogs.
Tips: Weigh your dog accurately. Select the appropriate factor based on activity level and life stage. For overweight dogs, calculate MER based on ideal weight.
Q1: How do I convert my dog's weight from pounds to kg?
A: Divide pounds by 2.205 to get kilograms (e.g., 20 lbs ÷ 2.205 = 9.07 kg).
Q2: What if my dog is overweight?
A: Calculate RER based on ideal weight, not current weight, and use a factor of 1.0-1.2 for weight loss.
Q3: Are these values exact for every dog?
A: These are estimates. Individual needs may vary by ±20% due to metabolism, environment, and health status.
Q4: How often should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate after significant weight changes, life stage transitions, or activity level changes.
Q5: What about pregnant/nursing dogs?
A: Nursing dogs may need 2-6 times RER depending on litter size and stage of lactation.