1. What is RER and MER?

RER (Resting Energy Requirement) is the number of calories a dog needs at complete rest. MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) is the actual daily caloric need adjusted for life stage and activity level according to Petsci guidelines.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these equations:

Where:

• \( weight_{kg} \) — Dog's weight in kilograms
• \( factor \) — Life stage multiplier (1.6 for typical adult maintenance)

Explanation: The equation accounts for metabolic scaling where larger animals need relatively fewer calories per kilogram than smaller animals.

3. Importance of Calorie Calculation

Details: Proper calorie estimation is crucial for maintaining healthy weight, supporting growth in puppies, and managing weight loss/gain programs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter accurate weight in kilograms and select the appropriate life stage factor. For overweight dogs, use the weight loss factor (1.8) and target weight rather than current weight.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides good estimates for most dogs, but individual needs may vary by ±20% due to metabolism, environment, and health status.

Q2: What if my dog is very active?
A: Use the "Active/Working Dogs" factor (2.5) or consult a veterinarian for highly active or working dogs.

Q3: How often should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes by 10% or more, or if their activity level significantly changes.

Q4: What about special health conditions?
A: Dogs with diabetes, thyroid issues, or other metabolic conditions may need customized calculations - consult your vet.

Q5: How should I adjust for weight loss?
A: For weight loss, calculate MER for the target weight and feed that amount, monitoring progress monthly.