Posted by:  Jan Date:  Apr. 21, 2007

Subject: Food Calculation Guide - repost

Jan Repost : Food Calculation Guide Sat Apr 21, 2007 14:35 64.12.116.74 Nicole & Cosmo Food Calculation Guide from my vet Tue Jun 29, 2004 14:37 Hi everyone, We recieved the following information from our vet on our first visit. It outlines an equation you can use to determine how much to feed your puppy/dog, based on the ME value for the food you are feeding. Most good dog food companies list the ME rating on their websites (and they might put it on the bag as well). "The information I received from my vet is on Nutrition and Development in Large Breed Puppies and was written is 2001 by Doreen M Houston, DVM, DVSc. The first calculation is for the resting energy requirement or RER which is RER=30*0.454*(weight in pounds) + 70 kcal/day For puppies under 4 months, the RER should be multiplied by 3 to determine their energy requirements. From 4 months to skeletal maturity (about 12 months of age), the RER should be multiplied by 2. Adults (after 12 months) that have been neutered should be fed 1.6 times the RER. Next, divide the number you get by multiplying the RER by the value for the dogs age group by the ME (kcal per cup) listed for your dog food. This will give you the number of cups per day you should be feeding." I would compare this to the manufacturer's feeding guidelines to make sure it is in the same ballpark. The document also states that feeding guidelines are just guidelines and you may need to adjust them for your specific dog. "It is important to weigh puppies on a regular basis (weekly or biweekly) and monitor body condition (weekly or biweekly). Ribs should be felt but not seen and there should be a slight "hourglass" figure or a "tuckup" behind the ribs. Feeding amounts will need to be adjusted depending on the results (usually by 10% at a time)." I hope this helps. I was told that as long as we keep an eye on Cosmo's body condition (can feel all the ribs but not see them and has the tuckup behind the ribs), we will be able to notice a change that would mean that we are feeding too much or too little. Nicole ----------------- As you can see, the calculation is affected by both age and weight. For a dog weighing 40 pounds and between 4 months and 1 year: RER=( 30 x 0.454 x 40 ) + 70 = 614.8 KCal RER x 2 = 1229.6 KCal / day Since I do not have the ME value for the food, I cannot tell you what that comes to in number of cups. If for example, the ME were 430 KCal / cup, then the calculation would be: 1229.6 / 430 = 2.9 Cups per day to satisfy a moderately active pup. More activite, more calories would be needed. The condition of the pup should tell you whether or not you're feeding enough (or too much). The number you come up with when you do the calculation should be consistent with what it says on the bag of food for feeding suggestions.