Decoding dog food: Don't just compare prices of bag sizes. Learn how feeding guidelines effect price comparisons when choosing the best dog food.
Discover the truth about grain-free dog food. Is it the healthiest option for your dog? Learn about the benefits, risks, and how to choose the best grain-free diet.
Confused by dog joint supplements? Learn about key ingredients, quantities & how to pick a high-quality brand for your pup's healthy joints.
Method 1: Percentage of Body Weight
This method, commonly used in raw feeding, estimates the daily food intake based on a percentage of your dog's ideal body weight. Here's a breakdown of its advantages and limitations:
Advantages:
- Simple and easy to understand: The calculation requires minimal effort, just multiplying your dog's weight by a percentage.
- Widely used and accessible: Many resources and raw feeding communities use and recommend this method.
- Provides a starting point: It offers a basic guideline to start with, especially for those new to homemade dog food.
Limitations:
- Doesn't consider individual needs: This method doesn't account for individual factors like age, activity level, breed, and metabolism. These factors significantly impact calorie requirements.
- Potential for overfeeding: Active dogs or those prone to weight gain might require less than the suggested percentage, while underweight or highly active dogs might need more.
- Lack of precision: It's a rough estimate and may not be accurate for all dogs.
How to Use This Method:
- Determine your dog's ideal body weight: Consult your veterinarian or online resources to find a healthy weight range for your dog's breed and size.
- Choose a percentage: Depending on the source, the recommended percentage usually falls within the range of 2-3% of your dog's ideal body weight.
- Calculate the daily food amount: Multiply your dog's ideal body weight (in kilograms) by the chosen percentage and then by 100 to get the grams of food.
Example:
- Your dog's ideal weight is 20 kg.
- You choose a 3% recommendation.
- Daily food intake = 20 kg * 3% * 100 = 600 grams.
Important Note:
- This is just a starting point. Always monitor your dog closely for signs of weight gain, loss, or digestive issues.
- You will likely need to adjust the amount based on your dog's individual needs and activity level.
- Consult your veterinarian for personalized guidance on your dog's specific dietary needs.
Remember, this method offers a simple starting point, but it's crucial to prioritize your dog's individual health and adjust accordingly.
Method 2: Calorie-Based Calculation
This method takes a more precise approach by considering your dog's individual energy requirements, expressed in calories. Here's a deeper look at its advantages and limitations:
Advantages:
- Tailored to individual needs: This method accounts for factors like age, activity level, breed, and metabolism, leading to a more personalized food intake estimate.
- Potential for weight management: By calculating calorie requirements, you can adjust food portions to maintain your dog's ideal weight or address weight loss/gain goals.
- Offers greater control: Knowing the calorie content of your homemade food allows you to manage your dog's energy intake more effectively.
Limitations:
- Requires more effort: Calculating MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) and the calorie content of your homemade food involves research and calculations.
- Relies on accurate information: The accuracy of the final estimation depends on the accuracy of the input values, such as your dog's weight and activity level.
- Knowledge of food composition: You need to understand the calorie content of each ingredient in your homemade food to calculate the total calorie intake per serving.
Steps for Calculating Calorie-Based Food Intake:
Step 1: Convert weight to kg
- Dog's weight: Convert your dog's weight from pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2. (e.g., 50 lbs / 2.2 = 22.7 kg)
Step 2: Calculate RER
What is Resting Energy Requirement (RER):
This represents the minimum amount of calories your dog needs to maintain basic bodily functions like breathing, circulation, and maintaining body temperature while at rest.There are two common formulas used for RER calculation:
- Option 1:
- Formula: RER (kcal/day) = 70 x (body weight in kg)^0.75
- Example: If your dog weighs 22.7 kg, RER = 70 x (22.7)^0.75 ≈ 493 kcal/day
- Option 2:
- Formula: RER (kcal/day) = 30 x (body weight in kg) + 70
- Example: Using the same weight, RER = 30 x 22.7 + 70 ≈ 681 kcal/day
Note: option 1 is preferred method.
Step 3: Calculate MER
What is Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER):
This is the total number of calories your dog needs to maintain its weight, considering its RER plus additional energy expended for activities like exercise, digestion, and individual metabolism.To get the MER, you need to multiply the RER by an activity factor based on your dog's lifestyle:
- Sedentary (little to no exercise): 1.2 - 1.4
- Moderately active (regular walks, playtime): 1.6 - 2.0
- Highly active (working dogs, frequent exercise): 2.0 - 5.0
Example:
- If your 22.7 kg dog is moderately active, choose an activity factor of 1.8.
- MER = RER x Activity Factor
- MER = 493 kcal/day (from Option 1) x 1.8 ≈ 887 kcal/day
Step 4: Find the calorie content of your homemade food:
- Look for the calorie information on individual ingredients or use online databases to calculate the total calorie content per gram or cup of your recipe.
Step 5: Divide MER by calorie content:
- Divide your dog's MER by the calorie content per gram (or cup) of your homemade food to determine the total food amount needed per day.
Example:
- Your dog's MER is 887 kcal/day.
- Your homemade food recipe contains 100 calories per 100 grams.
- Daily food intake = 887 kcal / 100 kcal/100g = 8.87 x 100g ≈ 887 grams
Important Note:
- This is just an estimate, and as with the percentage method, closely monitor your dog's health and adjust accordingly.
- Consider using a reputable online calorie calculators for homemade dog food, but double-check their accuracy by comparing them with reliable sources like ingredient labels or databases.
- Remember, consulting your veterinarian is essential for personalized guidance and ensuring your dog's specific needs are met.
While the calorie-based method offers a more personalized approach, it requires more effort and knowledge. Ultimately, the best method depends on your comfort level, resources, and access to professional guidance.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
-
- Price: $34.95
-
- Price: $39.95
-
- Price: $42.95
-
- Price: $24.95
-
- Price: $28.95
Decoding dog food: Don't just compare prices of bag sizes. Learn how feeding guidelines effect price comparisons when choosing the best dog food.
Discover the truth about grain-free dog food. Is it the healthiest option for your dog? Learn about the benefits, risks, and how to choose the best grain-free diet.
Confused by dog joint supplements? Learn about key ingredients, quantities & how to pick a high-quality brand for your pup's healthy joints.
Can mushrooms supplements benefit your dog? Learn about types of mushrooms, the potential benefits & how to choose high-quality brand for your dog.
Turkey Tail mushrooms: immunity booster for dogs? We explain the benefits & guide you to buy the best supplement.
Learn how to have a productive conversation with your vet to address & create a balanced homemade diet plan your pup (and vet) will love.
Looking to add a salmon oil to your dogs diet to improve skin and coat and hips and joints? Read our review of Grizzly Alaskan Salmon Oil Plus.
Has your dogs bloodwork shown high liver enzyme levels? See our review to see if Denamarin by Nutramax can help lower dogs liver enzyme levels.
Green lipped mussels are an excellent source of omega-3s. Read our review of Antinol Plus for Dogs to see how it can help with hip and joint health.
Learn how turmeric's curcumin can help reduce inflammation and pain in dogs, ways to add it to their diet, and what to watch for.
Understand nutritional requirements for dogs and learn how to meet these needs through a healthy homemade dog diet.
Two natural calcium options for homemade pet food: Animal Essentials & Wholistic Pet Organics. Learn about sources, benefits & where to buy!
Get an understanding about Omega-3s and Omega-6s and how they play a role in your dogs health. Find out how to add Omega-3s to your dogs diet.
Learn about the benefits and safe inclusion of organ meats in homemade dog food diets. Understand the difference between organs and why moderation is key.
Homemade dog diets lack crucial calcium! Learn why it's important & how to safely add calcium supplements to your dog's homemade meals.
Considering a balanced homemade diet for your dog? We explore the importance of ingredient ratios and how they are key to a wholesome diet.
Delicious and healthy banana treats for dogs! Made with just one ingredient - fresh, ripe bananas - a great source of potassium, fiber, and vitamins.
Looking for a simple, affordable, and delicious baked dog treat? Our limited ingredient dog treats are perfect for any pup with a sensitive stomach.
Ease Your Dog's Pain & Boost Mobility: From holistic treatments to lifestyle tips, discover how to help your dog move easier and enjoy a happier life!
Green-Lipped Mussels for your dog's joints? Learn how it can help with arthritis. Dive into the best brands & tips: sourcing, forms, & more!
Discover how salmon oil can alleviate symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Plus, learn the importance of choosing a brand made from wild caught fish.
Discover how milk thistle supplements can improve and protect your dog's liver health. Learn what to look for when selecting a high quality brand.
Discover the many benefits of using quinoa in homemade dog food recipes. From its high protein content to its immune-boosting properties, quinoa is a nutritious ingredient that can help improve your dog's overall health and well-being. Learn how to incorporate quinoa into your dog's diet with our tips and recipes.
Xylitol (birch sugar) hides in peanut butter & other treats, which can be deadly to your dog. Learn how to keep your pup safe!
Beef heart is a nutrient dense protein great for homemade and raw dog diets. Let's explore the benefits and how to add it to your dogs food.
There are a few seeds that are not only generally considered safe for dogs but also provide many health benefits. Let's take a look at 5 seeds safe for dogs.
Homemade dog food can be more expensive than kibble. See our tips to making homemade dog food more affordable without compromising quality.
Parsley is more than just an aromatic garnish. This guide explores the top five health benefits of parsley for dogs & ways to add it into a dogs diet.
You can find many homemade dog food recipes online, but are they safe and balanced? Learn how to find safe and balanced recipes online.
Learn about the many benefits of feeding liver to your dog, including its high nutritional value and numerous health benefits.
Including grains in dog food has been a long standing controversy. Take a dive into the heated debate and learn how to make an informed decision for your dog.
Looking for a tasty and nutritious snack for your pup? This easy recipe for poached eggs for dogs is packed with nutritients.
Make your own calcium supplement for homemade dog food at home using only eggshells. Follow these easy steps for a budget-friendly supplement.
