Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Dr. David Park

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

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Dr. David Park

Applied Mathematician, PhD Mathematics

David holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from MIT. He has published research on numerical methods and computational algorithms used in engineering and scientific calculators.

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