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Understanding Your Dog's Nutritional Needs
Formula
Resting Energy Requirement (RER) is calculated as 70 x (body weight in kg)^0.75. This is the baseline energy a dog needs at rest. The Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) multiplies RER by an activity factor.
Puppies need 2-3 times RER, active adults 1.6-2.0 times, normal adults 1.4-1.6 times, and seniors about 1.2-1.4 times. Always consult your veterinarian for individualized feeding plans.
Common use cases:
- Daily feeding portion calculation
- Weight management programs
- Puppy feeding schedules
Frequently Asked Questions
Maria Gonzalez
Registered Dietitian, RD, MPH
Maria is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's in Public Health. She focuses on evidence-based nutrition assessment tools including BMI, calorie calculations, and body composition analysis.
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